Spectra of integral operators for ellipse- and hyperbola-shaped boundaries (Q749272)

Boundary value problems, e.g. within potential theory and theory of elasticity, can be formulated in terms of integral equations. By a numerical solution of an integral equation, it can be replaced by a system of linear algebraic equations. The susceptibility to round-off errors (in the solution of the system) is expressed by means of the condition number of the matrix, which may be expresed by means of the eigenvalues of the matrix, which again are expected to be closely related to the eigenvalues of the integral operator, which depend upon the geometrical shape of the domain in question. The eigenvalues of the integral operator for a half-plane and a circle are known. In the paper the eigenvalues for an ellipse, and a hyperbola, for integral equations of potential theory and elasticity theory, are determined analytically. The derivation of the formulae is a tour de force. For ellipses they give information on elongated bodies, and for hyperbolas on bodies with corners.