The essential numerical range and a theorem of Simon on the absorption of eigenvalues

Abstract

Let $A(t)$ be a holomorphic family of self-adjoint operators of type (B) on a complex Hilbert space $\mathcal{H}$. Kato-Rellich perturbation theory says that isolated eigenvalues of $A(t)$ will be analytic functions of $t$ as long as they remain below the minimum of the essential spectrum of $A(t)$. At a threshold value $t_0$ where one of these eigenvalue functions hits the essential spectrum, the corresponding point in the essential spectrum might or might not be an eigenvalue of $A(t_0)$. Our results generalize a theorem of Simon to give a sufficient condition for the minimum of the essential spectrum to be an eigenvalue of $A(t_0)$ based on the rate at which eigenvalues approach the essential spectrum. We also show that the rates at which the eigenvalues of $A(t)$ can approach the essential spectrum from below correspond to eigenvalues of a bounded self-adjoint operator. The key insight behind these results is the essential numerical range which was recently extended to unbounded operators by Bögli, Marletta, and Tretter.