The numerical range and the core of Hilbert-space operators.
Published: 2004
Language: eng
Number of pages: 80
Description: The main object of this thesis is to study the numerical range of Hilbert-space operators. In 1973, T. Ando examined the geometric and algebraic properties of operators and developed a structure theory. In continuation of his work, there has been much progress, especially in the study of the core of a numerical contraction in terms of dilation theory and representation theory. In the first half of this thesis, explicit expressions for the minimum and the maximum of the core of a numerical contraction are studied. The expressions for these extremals are given as strongly convergent non-commutative operator series in terms of the given numerical contraction and its adjoint. This part of the thesis serves as a complement to T. Ando's theorem, in which we find that the operator series provides an efficient mechanism for writing a numerical contraction in terms of dilations and representations. The main tool employed is the theory of Schur complements of positive semi-definite operator matrices. Further discussions on the classical Catalan problem and another related combinatorial problem are also presented. In the second half of this thesis, matrices whose numerical ranges are the closed unit disc are investigated, and the structural expressions of those matrices are studied. As a result, matrices having elliptical discs as numerical range are found to possess the property that the foci of the disc are their eigenvalues. The structure theory obtained by T. Ando, especially the representation of numerical contractions, is essential in proving these results. Finally, the structural expressions of matrices with numerical range equal to the closed unit disc are used to provide an alternative proof for P. Y. Wu's theorem concerning the norms of matrices.
Notes: Adviser:  Man-Duen Choi.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Toronto, 2004.

Electronic version licensed for access by U. of T. users.

Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 65-10, Section: B, page: 5179.