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We consider the Dirichlet-to-Neumann operator ${\cal N}$ associated with a general elliptic operator \[ {\cal A} u = - \sum_{k,l=1}^d \partial_k (c_{kl}\, \partial_l u) + \sum_{k=1}^d \Big( c_k\, \partial_k u - \partial_k (b_k\, u) \Big) +c_0\, u \in {\cal D}'(\Omega) \] with possibly complex coefficients. We study three problems: 1) Boundedness on $C^\nu$ and on $L_p$ of the commutator $[{\cal N}, M_g]$, where $M_g$ denotes the multiplication operator by a smooth function $g$. 2) H\"older and $L_p$-bounds for the harmonic lifting associated with ${\cal A}$. 3) Poisson bounds for the heat kernel of ${\cal N}$. We solve these problems in the case where the coefficients are H\"older continuous and the underlying domain is bounded and of class $C^{1+\kappa}$ for some $\kappa > 0$. For the Poisson bounds we assume in addition that the coefficients are real-valued. We also prove gradient estimates for the heat kernel and the Green function $G$ of the elliptic operator with Dirichlet boundary conditions., Comment: This is the final version, to appear in Calculus of Variations and PDE

Nittka gave an efficient criterion on a form defined on $L_2(\Omega)$ which implies that the associated semigroup is $L_p$-invariant for some given $p \in (1,\infty)$. We extend this criterion to the Hilbert space valued~$L_2(\Omega,H)$. As an application we consider elliptic systems of pure second order. Our main result shows that the induced semigroup is $L_p$-contractive for all $p \in [p_-,p_+]$ for some $1 < p_- < 2 < p_+ < \infty$.

In this article we consider the Dirichlet problem on a bounded domain $\Omega \subset {\bf R}^d$ with respect to a second-order elliptic differential operator in divergence form. We do not assume a divergence condition as in the pioneering work by Stampacchia, but merely assume that $0$ is not a Dirichlet eigenvalue. The purpose of this article is to define and investigate a solution of the Dirichlet problem, which we call Perron solution, in a setting where no maximum principle is available. We characterise this solution in different ways: by approximating the domain by smooth domains from the interior, by variational properties, by the pointwise boundary behaviour at regular boundary points and by using the approximative trace. We also investigate for which boundary data the Perron solution has finite energy. Finally we show that the Perron solution is obtained as an $H^1_0$-perturbation of a continuous function on $\overline \Omega$. This is new even for the Laplacian and solves an open problem.

Let $\Omega \subset \mathbb{R}^d$ be a bounded open connected set with Lipschitz boundary. Let $A^N$ and $A^D$ be the Neumann Stokes operator and Dirichlet Stokes operator on $\Omega$, respectively. Further let $\lambda_1^N \leq \lambda_2^N \leq \ldots$ and $\lambda_1^D \leq \lambda_2^D \leq \ldots$ be the eigenvalues of $A^N$ and $A^D$ repeated with multiplicity, respectively. Then \[ \lambda_{n+1}^N < \lambda_n^D \] for all $n \in \mathbb{N}$.

We prove a generalized Birman-Schwinger principle in the non-self-adjoint context. In particular, we provide a detailed discussion of geometric and algebraic multiplicities of eigenvalues of the basic operator of interest (e.g., a Schr\"odinger operator) and the associated Birman-Schwinger operator, and additionally offer a careful study of the associated Jordan chains of generalized eigenvectors of both operators. In the course of our analysis we also study algebraic and geometric multiplicities of zeros of strongly analytic operator-valued functions and the associated Jordan chains of generalized eigenvectors. We also relate algebraic multiplicities to the notion of the index of analytic operator-valued functions and derive a general Weinstein-Aronszajn formula for a pair of non-self-adjoint operators., Comment: 45 pages, added references

Let $\Omega$ be a bounded domain in R d with Lipschitz boundary $\Gamma$. We define the Dirichlet-to-Neumann operator N on L 2 ($\Gamma$) associated with a second order elliptic operator A = -- d k,j=1 $\partial$ k (c kl $\partial$ l) + d k=1 b k $\partial$ k -- $\partial$ k (c k $\times$) + a 0. We prove a criterion for invariance of a closed convex set under the action of the semigroup of N. Roughly speaking, it says that if the semigroup generated by --A, endowed with Neumann boundary conditions, leaves invariant a closed convex set of L 2 ($\Omega$), then the 'trace' of this convex set is invariant for the semigroup of N. We use this invariance to prove a criterion for the domination of semigroups of two Dirichlet-to-Neumann operators. We apply this criterion to prove the diamagnetic inequality for such operators on L 2 ($\Gamma$).

We provide a sharp and optimal generic bound for the angle of the sectorial form associated to a non-symmetric second-order elliptic differential operator with various boundary conditions. Consequently this gives an, in general, sharper $\mathcal{H}^\infty$-angle for the $\mathcal{H}^\infty$-calculus on $L_p$ for all $p \in (1,\infty)$ if the coefficients are real valued.

Consider the elliptic operator \[ A = - \sum_{k,l=1}^d \partial_k \, c_{kl} \, \partial_l + \sum_{k=1}^d a_k \, \partial_k - \sum_{k=1}^d \partial_k \, b_k + a_0 \] on a bounded connected open set $\Omega \subset {\bf R}^d$ with Lipschitz boundary conditions, where $c_{kl} \in L_\infty(\Omega,{\bf R})$ and $a_k,b_k,a_0 \in L_\infty(\Omega,{\bf C})$, subject to Robin boundary conditions $\partial_\nu u + \beta \, {\rm Tr}\, u = 0$, where $\beta \in L_\infty(\partial \Omega, {\bf C})$ is complex valued. Then we show that the kernel of the semigroup generated by $-A$ satisfies Gaussian estimates and H\"older Gaussian estimates. If all coefficients and the function $\beta$ are real valued, then we prove Gaussian lower bounds. Finally, if $\Omega$ is of class $C^{1+\kappa}$ with $\kappa > 0$, $c_{kl} = c_{lk}$ is H\"older continuous, $a_k = b_k = 0$ and $a_0$ is real valued, then we show that the kernel of the semigroup associated to the Dirichlet-to-Neumann operator corresponding to $A$ has H\"older Poisson bounds.

We consider elliptic operators with measurable coefficients and Robin boundary conditions on a bounded domain $\Omega \subset \mathbb{R}^d$ and show that the first eigenfunction $v$ satisfies $v(x) \ge \delta > 0$ for all $x \in \overline{\Omega}$, even if the boundary $\partial \Omega$ is only Lipschitz continuous. Under such weak regularity assumptions the Hopf-Ole\u{\i}nik boundary lemma is not available; instead we use a new approach based on an abstract positivity improving condition for semigroups that map $L_p(\Omega)$ into $C(\overline{\Omega})$. The same tool also yields corresponding results for Dirichlet or mixed boundary conditions. Finally, we show that our results can be used to derive strong minimum and maximum principles for parabolic and elliptic equations., Comment: 25 pages. This is version 3. Minor changes compared to v2

Let $\Omega \subset {\bf R}^d$ be a bounded open set with Lipschitz boundary $\Gamma$. It will be shown that the Jordan chains of m-sectorial second-order elliptic partial differential operators with measurable coefficients and (local or non-local) Robin boundary conditions in $L_2(\Omega)$ can be characterized with the help of Jordan chains of the Dirichlet-to-Neumann map and the boundary operator from $H^{1/2}(\Gamma)$ into $H^{-1/2}(\Gamma)$. This result extends the Birman--Schwinger principle in the framework of elliptic operators for the characterization of eigenvalues, eigenfunctions and geometric eigenspaces to the complete set of all generalized eigenfunctions and algebraic eigenspaces.

Given a complex, elliptic coefficient function we investigate for which values of $p$ the corresponding second-order divergence form operator, complemented with Dirichlet, Neumann or mixed boundary conditions, generates a strongly continuous semigroup on $\mathrm{L}^p(\Omega)$. Additional properties like analyticity of the semigroup, $\mathrm{H}^\infty$-calculus and maximal regularity are also discussed. Finally we prove a perturbation result for real coefficients that gives the whole range of $p$'s for small imaginary parts of the coefficients. Our results are based on the recent notion of $p$-ellipticity, reverse H\"older inequalities and Gaussian estimates for the real coefficients., Comment: 37 pages

Let $\Omega \subset {\bf R}^d$ be open. We investigate conditions under which an operator $T$ on $L_2(\Omega)$ has a continuous kernel $K \in C(\overline \Omega \times \overline \Omega)$. In the centre of our interest is the condition $T L_2(\Omega) \subset C(\overline \Omega)$, which one knows for many semigroups generated by elliptic operators. This condition implies that $T^3$ has a kernel in $C(\overline \Omega \times \overline \Omega)$ if $T$ is self-adjoint and $\Omega$ is bounded, and the power $3$ is best possible. We also analyse Mercer's theorem in our context.

Let $\Omega \subset \mathbb{R}^d$ be bounded open and connected. Suppose that $W^{1,2}(\Omega) \subset L^r(\Omega)$ for some $r > 2$. Let $A$ be a pure second-order elliptic differential operator with bounded real measurable coefficients on $\Omega$. Let $q > d$ with $\frac{1}{2}-\frac{1}{q} > \frac{1}{r}$. If $p$ is the dual exponent of $q$, then we show that the pre-image of the space $(W^{1,p}(\Omega))^*$ under the map $A$ is contained in the space of bounded functions on $\Omega$. The considerations are complemented by results on optimal Sobolev regularity for $A$.

Consider the Dirichlet problem with respect to an elliptic operator \[ A = - \sum_{k,l=1}^d \partial_k \, a_{kl} \, \partial_l - \sum_{k=1}^d \partial_k \, b_k + \sum_{k=1}^d c_k \, \partial_k + c_0 \] on a bounded Wiener regular open set $\Omega \subset R^d$, where $a_{kl}, c_k \in L_\infty(\Omega,R)$ and $b_k,c_0 \in L_\infty(\Omega,C)$. Suppose that the associated operator on $L_2(\Omega)$ with Dirichlet boundary conditions is invertible. Then we show that for all $\varphi \in C(\partial \Omega)$ there exists a unique $u \in C(\overline \Omega) \cap H^1_{\rm loc}(\Omega)$ such that $u|_{\partial \Omega} = \varphi$ and $A u = 0$. In the case when $\Omega$ has a Lipschitz boundary and $\varphi \in C(\overline \Omega) \cap H^{1/2}(\overline \Omega)$, then we show that $u$ coincides with the variational solution in $H^1(\Omega)$.

Let $\Omega$ be a bounded open subset with $C^{1+\kappa}$-boundary for some $\kappa > 0$. Consider the Dirichlet-to-Neumann operator associated to the elliptic operator $- \sum \partial_l ( c_{kl} \, \partial_k ) + V$, where the $c_{kl} = c_{lk}$ are H\"older continuous and $V \in L_\infty(\Omega)$ are real valued. We prove that the Dirichlet-to-Neumann operator generates a $C_0$-semigroup on the space $C(\partial \Omega)$ which is in addition holomorphic with angle $\frac{\pi}{2}$. We also show that the kernel of the semigroup has Poisson bounds on the complex right half-plane. As a consequence we obtain an optimal holomorphic functional calculus and maximal regularity on $L_p(\Gamma)$ for all $p \in (1,\infty)$.

Let $\Omega \subset {\bf R}^d$ be an open bounded set with Lipschitz boundary $\Gamma$. Let $D_V$ be the Dirichlet-to-Neumann operator with respect to a purely second-order symmetric divergence form operator with real Lipschitz continuous coefficients and a positive potential $V$. We show that the semigroup generated by $-D_V$ leaves $C(\Gamma)$ invariant and that the restriction of this semigroup to $C(\Gamma)$ is a $C_0$-semigroup. We investigate positivity and spectral properties of this semigroup. We also present results where $V$ is allowed to be negative. Of independent interest is a new criterium for semigroups to have a continuous kernel.

We present a way of defining the Dirichlet-to-Neumann operator on general Hilbert spaces using a pair of operators for which each one's adjoint is formally the negative of the other. In particular, we define an abstract analogue of trace spaces and are able to give meaning to the Dirichlet-to-Neumann operator of divergence form operators perturbed by a bounded potential in cases where the boundary of the underlying domain does not allow for a well-defined trace. Moreover, a representation of the Dirichlet-to-Neumann operator as a first-order system of partial differential operators is provided. Using this representation, we address convergence of the Dirichlet-to-Neumann operators in the case that the appropriate reciprocals of the leading coefficients converge in the weak operator topology. We also provide some extensions to the case where the bounded potential is not coercive and consider resolvent convergence., Comment: 31 pages, some referee's remarks included. Example 4.3 added. Example 6.1 now contains a characterisation instead of merely an implication. Example 6.7 is new and gives a characterisation for the condition in Theorem 4.2 in the `classical case'. Remark 6.8 is new and explains that weak* convergence is independent of the conditions in Example 6.7

We prove Poisson upper bounds for the heat kernel of the Dirichlet-to-Neumann operator with variable H{\"o}lder coefficients when the underlying domain is bounded and has a C 1+$\kappa$-boundary for some $\kappa$ > 0. We also prove a number of other results such as gradient estimates for heat kernels and Green functions G of elliptic operators with possibly complex-valued coefficients. We establish H{\"o}lder continuity of $\nabla$ x $\nabla$ y G up to the boundary. These results are used to prove L p-estimates for commutators of Dirichlet-to-Neumann operators on the boundary of C 1+$\kappa$-domains. Such estimates are the keystone in our approach for the Poisson bounds.

Under a mild regularity condition we prove that the generator of the interpolation of two C0-semigroups is the interpolation of the two generators.

A functional version of the Kato one-parametric regularisation for the construction of a dynamical semigroup generator of a relative bound one perturbation is introduced. It does not require that the minus generator of the unperturbed semigroup is a positivity preserving operator. The regularisation is illustrated by an example of a boson-number cut-off regularisation.

We study $L^p$-theory of second-order elliptic divergence type operators with complex measurable coefficients. The major aspect is that we allow complex coefficients in the main part of the operator, too. We investigate generation of analytic $C_0$-semigroups under very general conditions on the coefficients, related to the notion of form-boundedness. We determine an interval $J$ in the $L^p$-scale, not necessarily containing $p=2$, in which one obtains a consistent family of quasi-contractive semigroups. This interval is close to optimal, as shown by several examples. In the case of uniform ellipticity we construct a family of semigroups in an extended range of $L^p$-spaces, and we prove $p$-independence of the analyticity sector and of the spectrum of the generators.

For a sequence of uniformly bounded, degenerate semigroups on a Hilbert space, we compare various types of convergences to a limit semigroup. Among others, we show that convergence of the semigroups, or of the resolvents of the generators, in the weak operator topology, in the strong operator topology or in certain integral norms are equivalent under certain natural assumptions which are frequently met in applications., Comment: 20 pages

In the very influential paper \cite{CS07} Caffarelli and Silvestre studied regularity of $(-\Delta)^s$, $0

We consider linear inhomogeneous non-autonomous parabolic problems associated to sesquilinear forms, with discontinuous dependence of time. We show that for these problems, the property of maximal parabolic regularity can be extrapolated to time integrability exponents $r\neq 2$. This allows us to prove maximal parabolic $L^r$-regularity for discontinuous non-autonomous second-order divergence form operators in very general geometric settings and to prove existence results for related quasilinear equations.

A classical theorem of von Neumann asserts that every unbounded self-adjoint operator $A$ in a separable Hilbert space $H$ is unitarily equivalent to an operator $B$ in $H$ such that $D(A)\cap D(B)=\{0\}$. Equivalently this can be formulated as a property for nonclosed operator ranges. We will show that von Neumann's theorem does not directly extend to the nonseparable case. In this paper we prove a characterisation of the property that an operator range $\mathcal{R}$ in a general Hilbert space $H$ admits a unitary operator $U$ such that $U\mathcal{R}\cap\mathcal{R}=\{0\}$. This allows us to study stability properties of operator ranges with the aforementioned property.

We characterize Koopman one-parameter $C_0$-groups in the class of all unitary one-parameter $C_0$-groups on $L_2(X)$ as those that preserve $L_\infty(X)$ and for which the infinitesimal generator is a derivation on the bounded functions in its domain.

We investigate linear parabolic, second-order boundary value problems with mixed boundary conditions on rough domains. Assuming only boundedness and ellipticity on the coefficient function and very mild conditions on the geometry of the domain, including a very weak compatibility condition between the Dirichlet boundary part and its complement, we prove H\"older continuity of the solution in space and time., Comment: 1 figure

The form method as popularised by Lions and Kato is a successful device to associate m-sectorial operators with suitable elliptic or sectorial forms. McIntosh generalised the form method to an accretive setting, thereby allowing to associate m-accretive operators with suitable accretive forms. Classically, the form domain is required to be densely embedded into the Hilbert space. Recently, this requirement was relaxed by Arendt and ter Elst in the setting of elliptic and sectorial forms. Here we study the prospects of a generalised form method for accretive forms to generate accretive operators. In particular, we work with the same relaxed condition on the form domain as used by Arendt and ter Elst. We give a multitude of examples for many degenerate phenomena that can occur in the most general setting. We characterise when the associated operator is m-accretive and investigate the class of operators that can be generated. For the case that the associated operator is m-accretive, we study form approximation and Ouhabaz type invariance criteria.

The Dirichlet-to-Neumann map associated to an elliptic partial differential equation becomes multivalued when the underlying Dirichlet problem is not uniquely solvable. The main objective of this paper is to present a systematic study of the Dirichlet-to-Neumann map and its inverse, the Neumann-to-Dirichlet map, in the framework of linear relations in Hilbert spaces. Our treatment is inspired by abstract methods from extension theory of symmetric operators, utilizes the general theory of linear relations and makes use of some deep results on the regularity of the solutions of boundary value problems on bounded Lipschitz domains.