Admissible differential perturbations

Written by GPT-6.1 Sol (OpenAI) and GPT-6 Astra (OpenAI). Self-checked by the writing AI. Original exposition: CC0.

Working question: How can a rough full-order perturbation be split without losing symmetry? The differential order of a coefficient and its decay at infinity play different roles. A full-order term needs controlled derivatives, while lower-order coefficients can be measured by local integral norms. Smoothing individual coefficients without respecting the formal adjoint can change the operator's symmetry, so the split is made at the expression level.

A differential perturbation can change the highest derivatives, contain unbounded lower-order coefficients, and still become small far from the origin. The appropriate size of a lower-order coefficient depends on the number of derivatives available to multiply it. A long-range splitting introduces a second issue: real coefficients give a real classical symbol, whereas symmetry of the differential operator depends on its ordering.

This lesson gives the coefficient conditions, proves their global mapping consequences, and constructs both the real-symbol and symmetric splittings. Read Polynomial localizations and rough coefficients for the exact Sobolev estimates, and Regularizing long-range coefficients for the smoothing theorem. The free primary coefficient-smoothing proof is Hörmander [HW], Lemma 3.3. The expression-level adjoint calculation is proved below. Approximation, convolution and integer Sobolev density supplies the exact Hölder, density, convolution and translation facts used with those proofs; its Proposition 5.1 proves the oscillatory-integral limit in Solution 6.3.

Throughout, n,m≥1n,m\geq1 are integers, Dj=−i∂jD_j=-i\partial_j, and ⟨x⟩=(1+∣x∣2)1/2\langle x\rangle=(1+|x|^2)^{1/2}. The Hm(Rn)H^m(\mathbb R^n) norm is ∥⟨D⟩mu∥2\|\langle D\rangle^m u\|_2, using the unitary Fourier transform. Our L2L^2 inner product is linear in the first variable.

1. Choosing a coefficient exponent

For a term a(x)Dαa(x)D^\alpha of order ∣α∣<m|\alpha|<m, put k=m−∣α∣>0k=m-|\alpha|>0. Choose the finite coefficient exponent pαp_\alpha by

pα={n/k,n>2k,any fixed p>2,n=2k,2,n<2k.(1) p_\alpha= \begin{cases} n/k,&n>2k,\\ \text{any fixed }p>2,&n=2k,\\ 2,&n<2k. \end{cases} \tag{1}

The corresponding exponent for the differentiated function is

qα={2n/(n−2k),n>2k,2pα/(pα−2),n=2k,∞,n<2k.12=1pα+1qα.(2) q_\alpha= \begin{cases} 2n/(n-2k),&n>2k,\\ 2p_\alpha/(p_\alpha-2),&n=2k,\\ \infty,&n<2k. \end{cases} \qquad \frac12=\frac1{p_\alpha}+\frac1{q_\alpha}. \tag{2}

Different critical terms may use different fixed exponents. An essentially bounded coefficient satisfies every finite local exponent on a unit ball.

Lemma 1.1. For every measurable aa, every y∈Rny\in\mathbb R^n, and every u∈Cc∞(B(y,1))u\in C_c^\infty(B(y,1)),

∥aDαu∥2≤Cα,n,m,pα∥a∥Lpα(B(y,1))∥u∥Hm.(3) \|aD^\alpha u\|_2 \leq C_{\alpha,n,m,p_\alpha} \|a\|_{L^{p_\alpha}(B(y,1))}\|u\|_{H^m}. \tag{3}

The constant is independent of a,y,ua,y,u. An infinite coefficient norm makes the assertion vacuous.

Proof. Apply equation (13) of Polynomial localizations and rough coefficients to DαuD^\alpha u, with derivative gap kk. Translation leaves its constant unchanged. The Fourier inequality ∣ξα∣⟨ξ⟩k≤⟨ξ⟩m|\xi^\alpha|\langle\xi\rangle^k\leq\langle\xi\rangle^m gives

∥Dαu∥Lqα(B(y,1))≤C∥Dαu∥Hk≤C∥u∥Hm.(4) \|D^\alpha u\|_{L^{q_\alpha}(B(y,1))} \leq C\|D^\alpha u\|_{H^k} \leq C\|u\|_{H^m}. \tag{4}

Hölder's inequality with (2) proves (3). The product vanishes outside the ball, since DαuD^\alpha u does. □\square

The finite endpoint pα=n/k>2p_\alpha=n/k>2 is included. At n=2kn=2k, the Sobolev estimate gives every fixed finite qαq_\alpha, which explains the strict condition pα>2p_\alpha>2. The critical L2L^2 multiplication obstruction has the complete compactly supported proof in The critical two-dimensional multiplication obstruction.

For highest-order terms the bound is instead immediate:

∥aDαu∥2≤∥a∥L∞(B(y,1))∥u∥Hm,∣α∣=m.(5) \|aD^\alpha u\|_2 \leq\|a\|_{L^\infty(B(y,1))}\|u\|_{H^m}, \qquad |\alpha|=m. \tag{5}

2. Local norms and a global operator

Define the translated coefficient size by

Aα(y)={sup⁡x∈B(y,1)∣aα(x)∣,∣α∣=m,∥aα∥Lpα(B(y,1)),∣α∣<m.(6) A_\alpha(y)= \begin{cases} \displaystyle\sup_{x\in B(y,1)}|a_\alpha(x)|, &|\alpha|=m,\\ \|a_\alpha\|_{L^{p_\alpha}(B(y,1))}, &|\alpha|<m. \end{cases} \tag{6}

For the first row we assume continuity. Thus its supremum agrees with its essential supremum.

Proposition 2.1. Suppose V=∑∣α∣≤maαDαV=\sum_{|\alpha|\leq m}a_\alpha D^\alpha, the highest-order coefficients are continuous, the lower-order coefficients have the local integrability in (1), and every AαA_\alpha is bounded. Then VV extends uniquely to a bounded map Hm→L2H^m\to L^2, and

∥Vu∥2≤C(∑∣α∣≤msup⁡yAα(y))∥u∥Hm.(7) \|Vu\|_2 \leq C\Bigl(\sum_{|\alpha|\leq m}\sup_y A_\alpha(y)\Bigr) \|u\|_{H^m}. \tag{7}

Moreover, for R≥2R\geq2,

∥1{∣x∣>R}Vu∥2≤C(∑∣α∣≤msup⁡∣y∣>R−1/2Aα(y))∥u∥Hm.(8) \|1_{\{|x|>R\}}Vu\|_2 \leq C\Bigl(\sum_{|\alpha|\leq m} \sup_{|y|>R-1/2}A_\alpha(y)\Bigr)\|u\|_{H^m}. \tag{8}

Proof. Choose a fixed real χ∈Cc∞(B(0,1))\chi\in C_c^\infty(B(0,1)) that equals one on B(0,1/2)B(0,1/2), and set χy(x)=χ(x−y)\chi_y(x)=\chi(x-y). For an integer Sobolev order, Plancherel makes the norm equivalent to the square sum of derivative norms through order mm. The product rule and Fubini therefore give

∫Rn∥χyu∥Hm2 dy≤Cχ∥u∥Hm2.(9) \int_{\mathbb R^n}\|\chi_yu\|_{H^m}^2\,dy \leq C_\chi\|u\|_{H^m}^2. \tag{9}

Indeed, each product-rule term is (Dβχ)(x−y)Dγu(x)(D^\beta\chi)(x-y)D^\gamma u(x), with ∣β∣+∣γ∣≤m|\beta|+|\gamma|\leq m. Its squared integral in x,yx,y is ∥Dβχ∥22∥Dγu∥22\|D^\beta\chi\|_2^2\|D^\gamma u\|_2^2. The finite sum bounds (9).

On B(y,1/2)B(y,1/2), the derivatives of χyu\chi_yu equal those of uu. Equations (3) and (5) imply

∫B(y,1/2)∣aαDαu∣2 dx≤CAα(y)2∥χyu∥Hm2.(10) \int_{B(y,1/2)}|a_\alpha D^\alpha u|^2\,dx \leq C A_\alpha(y)^2\|\chi_yu\|_{H^m}^2. \tag{10}

Integrate in yy. Each xx belongs to a set of centers of volume ∣B(0,1/2)∣|B(0,1/2)|; (9) proves the bound for one term. Sum its norms over the finite family of multiindices to obtain (7).

For (8), restrict the left integral of (10) to ∣x∣>R|x|>R. A contributing center satisfies ∣y∣>R−1/2|y|>R-1/2. Fubini, followed by (9), gives the stated tail bound by the same argument.

These estimates initially apply to compact smooth inputs. Such inputs are dense in HmH^m, so (7) gives a unique bounded extension and (8) persists. Its value is the actual coefficient product: after multiplying an approximating sequence by a fixed cutoff, (4) gives convergence of each lower derivative in its required local LqαL^{q_\alpha} norm. Hölder then identifies its product with aαa_\alpha in local L2L^2. For highest derivatives, local boundedness of the continuous coefficient gives the same identification. Thus the extension has its claimed differential expression. □\square

The useful extra information in (8) is smallness of the output at infinity. This conclusion also holds without a power rate whenever Aα(y)→0A_\alpha(y)\to0.

3. The admissible class

Let P0(D)P_0(D) be a scalar, formally self-adjoint, constant-coefficient elliptic operator of order mm. Its polynomial P0(ξ)P_0(\xi) is real for real ξ\xi.

Definition 3.1. A differential operator

V(x,D)=∑∣α∣≤maα(x)Dα(11) V(x,D)=\sum_{|\alpha|\leq m}a_\alpha(x)D^\alpha \tag{11}

has coefficient short range if its coefficients are measurable, continuous when ∣α∣=m|\alpha|=m, and, for some δ>0\delta>0,

∣aα(x)∣≤C⟨x⟩−1−δ,∣α∣=m,∥aα∥Lpα(B(y,1))≤C⟨y⟩−1−δ,∣α∣<m.(12) \begin{aligned} |a_\alpha(x)|&\leq C\langle x\rangle^{-1-\delta}, &&|\alpha|=m,\\ \|a_\alpha\|_{L^{p_\alpha}(B(y,1))} &\leq C\langle y\rangle^{-1-\delta}, &&|\alpha|<m. \end{aligned} \tag{12}

This definition concerns the differential coefficients through order mm. The earlier compact endpoint condition in Short-range compactness and local tests is a separate operator condition.

For an integer K≥1K\geq1, call VV KK-admissible relative to P0P_0 if:

∣Dβℓα(x)∣≤Cα,β⟨x⟩−ε−∣β∣,∣β∣≤K.(13) |D^\beta\ell_\alpha(x)| \leq C_{\alpha,\beta}\langle x\rangle^{-\varepsilon-|\beta|}, \qquad |\beta|\leq K. \tag{13}

Symmetry means (Vu,v)=(u,Vv)(Vu,v)=(u,Vv) for all compact smooth u,vu,v. It is a condition on the whole expression; neither summand of this real-coefficient splitting is required to be symmetric.

Corollary 3.2. Every coefficient-short-range operator is bounded Hm→L2H^m\to L^2, with

∥1{∣x∣>R}Vu∥2≤CR−1−δ∥u∥Hm,R≥2.(14) \|1_{\{|x|>R\}}Vu\|_2 \leq C R^{-1-\delta}\|u\|_{H^m}, \qquad R\geq2. \tag{14}

Every KK-admissible VV is also bounded Hm→L2H^m\to L^2. If VV is symmetric on compact smooth functions, then P0+VP_0+V, with domain HmH^m, is a densely defined symmetric operator.

Proof. Points in a unit ball about yy have ⟨x⟩\langle x\rangle comparable with ⟨y⟩\langle y\rangle, uniformly in yy. Thus (12) bounds all sizes (6), including highest-order ones, by C⟨y⟩−1−δC\langle y\rangle^{-1-\delta}. Apply Proposition 2.1. A long-range coefficient in (13) is bounded and belongs to every required local finite LpL^p space with a bounded translated norm, so Proposition 2.1 also applies to LL. Finally P0:Hm→L2P_0:H^m\to L^2 is bounded. Approximation by compact smooth inputs passes symmetry to its full domain, which is dense in L2L^2. □\square

Identifying the adjoint domain with HmH^m requires an elliptic domain argument beyond this mapping result.

Example 3.3. In three dimensions, a zeroth-order term in an order-two problem uses p0=2p_0=2, whereas a first-order term uses pα=3p_\alpha=3. Consequently, a locally L2L^2 potential may be unbounded and still satisfy (12). Exercise 6.2 constructs a real short-range potential whose peak heights tend to infinity.

A highest-order short-range coefficient can also alter the local principal symbol. It must retain ellipticity in the admissible class. Its compact support alone does not make the map Hm→L2H^m\to L^2 compact; Exercise 6.3 displays the high-frequency obstruction.

4. A smooth real-symbol splitting

The regularization theorem allows all derivatives of the long-range coefficients to be used, with a precise loss at high orders.

Theorem 4.1. Suppose VV is KK-admissible and has the splitting above. After replacing ε\varepsilon, if necessary, by a smaller number in (0,1)(0,1), choose 0<b<ε0<b<\varepsilon. Then

V=V~S+L~(15) V=\widetilde V_S+\widetilde L \tag{15}

where V~S\widetilde V_S has coefficient short range, L~=∑ℓ~αDα\widetilde L=\sum\widetilde\ell_\alpha D^\alpha has real smooth coefficients, and

∣Dβℓ~α(x)∣≤Cα,β⟨x⟩−M(∣β∣),M(q)={b+q,0≤q≤K,1+ρq,q≥K,ρ=K−1+bK∈(0,1).(16) \begin{aligned} |D^\beta\widetilde\ell_\alpha(x)| &\leq C_{\alpha,\beta}\langle x\rangle^{-M(|\beta|)},\\ M(q)&= \begin{cases} b+q,&0\leq q\leq K,\\ 1+\rho q,&q\geq K, \end{cases} \qquad \rho=\frac{K-1+b}{K}\in(0,1). \end{aligned} \tag{16}

One may take the new short-range decay exponent min⁡(δ,ε−b)>0\min(\delta,\varepsilon-b)>0.

Proof. Apply Theorem 2.1 of Regularizing long-range coefficients separately to each real ℓα\ell_\alpha. It supplies real smooth ℓ~α\widetilde\ell_\alpha with (16), and

∣ℓα(x)−ℓ~α(x)∣≤Cα⟨x⟩−1−ε+b.(17) |\ell_\alpha(x)-\widetilde\ell_\alpha(x)| \leq C_\alpha\langle x\rangle^{-1-\varepsilon+b}. \tag{17}

Add ∑(ℓα−ℓ~α)Dα\sum(\ell_\alpha-\widetilde\ell_\alpha)D^\alpha to VSV_S. For a highest-order coefficient (17) is the required pointwise bound, and its continuity persists. For a lower-order coefficient, unit-ball comparability and the ball's fixed volume turn (17) into the required local LpαL^{p_\alpha} bound. Adding it to (12) gives the minimum exponent. The differential expression itself is unchanged, hence its symmetry and ellipticity persist. □\square

The sequence MM is increasing, M(1)=1+bM(1)=1+b, and M(q)≥1+bM(q)\geq1+b for every integer q≥1q\geq1. These facts will make every ordering correction short range.

The real polynomial ∑ℓ~α(x)ξα\sum\widetilde\ell_\alpha(x)\xi^\alpha is convenient for Hamiltonian equations. Its left-ordered differential operator can still fail to be symmetric.

5. A symmetric splitting with the same decay budget

For smooth coefficients, integration by parts on compact tests gives the following identities, where the star denotes the formal adjoint

(∑αℓ~αDα)∗=∑αDαℓ~α‾=∑α∑β≤α(αβ)(Dα−βℓ~α‾)Dβ.(18) \left(\sum_\alpha \widetilde\ell_\alpha D^\alpha\right)^* =\sum_\alpha D^\alpha\overline{\widetilde\ell_\alpha} =\sum_\alpha\sum_{\beta\leq\alpha} {\alpha\choose\beta} (D^{\alpha-\beta}\overline{\widetilde\ell_\alpha})D^\beta. \tag{18}

In the middle expression Dαℓ~α‾D^\alpha\overline{\widetilde\ell_\alpha} denotes operator composition with multiplication; the last expression is its coefficient expansion.

Theorem 5.1. With the real smooth splitting of Theorem 4.1, put

Lsym=L~+L~∗2,Ssym=V~S+L~−L~∗2.(19) L_{\mathrm{sym}}=\frac{\widetilde L+\widetilde L^*}{2}, \qquad S_{\mathrm{sym}}=\widetilde V_S+ \frac{\widetilde L-\widetilde L^*}{2}. \tag{19}

Then V=Lsym+SsymV=L_{\mathrm{sym}}+S_{\mathrm{sym}}, both summands are symmetric on compact tests, SsymS_{\mathrm{sym}} has coefficient short range, and the coefficients of LsymL_{\mathrm{sym}} satisfy every bound in (16). The highest-order coefficients of LsymL_{\mathrm{sym}} are exactly those of L~\widetilde L; lower-order coefficients may be complex. The short-range exponent can be chosen as

δsym=min⁡(δ,ε−b,b)>0.(20) \delta_{\mathrm{sym}} =\min(\delta,\varepsilon-b,b)>0. \tag{20}

Proof. Since the coefficients of L~\widetilde L are real, the terms with β=α\beta=\alpha in (18) cancel in L~∗−L~\widetilde L^*-\widetilde L. Every remaining coefficient contains at least one derivative of a long-range coefficient. It therefore has order at most m−1m-1 and obeys

∣Dα−βℓ~α(x)∣≤C⟨x⟩−M(∣α−β∣)≤C⟨x⟩−1−b,β<α.(21) |D^{\alpha-\beta}\widetilde\ell_\alpha(x)| \leq C\langle x\rangle^{-M(|\alpha-\beta|)} \leq C\langle x\rangle^{-1-b}, \qquad \beta<\alpha. \tag{21}

Finite sums preserve the bound. Unit-ball comparability proves the short-range local norms for every such coefficient. Combining this with Theorem 4.1 gives (20).

A derivative of order qq of an added coefficient involves a derivative of order q+∣α−β∣q+|\alpha-\beta| of ℓ~α\widetilde\ell_\alpha. Monotonicity of MM gives

M(q+∣α−β∣)≥M(q).(22) M(q+|\alpha-\beta|)\geq M(q). \tag{22}

Thus the coefficients in the average LsymL_{\mathrm{sym}} retain (16). The cancellation already observed shows its highest-order coefficients are unchanged.

The formal adjoint of LsymL_{\mathrm{sym}} equals itself. Since VV is symmetric and Ssym=V−LsymS_{\mathrm{sym}}=V-L_{\mathrm{sym}}, subtraction of the compact-test inner-product identities proves symmetry of SsymS_{\mathrm{sym}}. This reasoning applies even when its other coefficients are merely measurable. Equation (19) proves the exact sum. □\square

For a concrete ordering correction in one dimension,

(fD)∗=fD−if′,fD+(fD)∗2=fD−i2f′,(23) (fD)^*=fD-i f', \qquad \frac{fD+(fD)^*}{2}=fD-\frac{i}{2}f', \tag{23}

when ff is real and smooth. The imaginary zeroth-order term ensures symmetry. Its extra derivative supplies the short-range decay.

Theorem 5.2 (the Weyl alternative). Let ℓ(x,ξ)=∑∣α∣≤mℓ~α(x)ξα\ell(x,\xi)=\sum_{|\alpha|\leq m}\widetilde\ell_\alpha(x)\xi^\alpha be the real smooth polynomial from Theorem 4.1. Its Weyl operator Lw=Op⁡1/2(ℓ)L_w=\operatorname{Op}_{1/2}(\ell) is a differential operator, with exact expression

Lw=∑∣α∣≤m∑β≤α(αβ)2−∣β∣(Dβℓ~α)Dα−β. L_w=\sum_{|\alpha|\leq m}\sum_{\beta\leq\alpha} {\alpha\choose\beta}2^{-|\beta|} (D^\beta\widetilde\ell_\alpha)D^{\alpha-\beta}.

It is symmetric on compact smooth tests, has the same highest-order coefficients as L~\widetilde L, and all its coefficients retain (16). The splitting

V=Lw+Sw,Sw=V~S+L~−Lw V=L_w+S_w,\qquad S_w=\widetilde V_S+\widetilde L-L_w

has symmetric summands; SwS_w has coefficient short range with exponent (20). It gives the same admissible operator with a real Weyl symbol for its long-range part.

Proof. We can verify the polynomial conversion directly. The Weyl kernel for one monomial is the distributional oscillatory integral

(2π)−n∫ei(x−y)⋅ξℓ~α((x+y)/2)ξα dξ. (2\pi)^{-n}\int e^{i(x-y)\cdot\xi} \widetilde\ell_\alpha((x+y)/2)\xi^\alpha\,d\xi.

Use ξαei(x−y)⋅ξ=(−Dy)αei(x−y)⋅ξ\xi^\alpha e^{i(x-y)\cdot\xi}=(-D_y)^\alpha e^{i(x-y)\cdot\xi}, then integrate by parts against the input. The product rule differentiates the input α−β\alpha-\beta times and the midpoint coefficient β\beta times. Each midpoint derivative costs the factor 2−12^{-1}. Fourier inversion gives exactly

∑β≤α(αβ)2−∣β∣(Dβℓ~α)(x)Dα−βu(x). \sum_{\beta\leq\alpha}{\alpha\choose\beta} 2^{-|\beta|}(D^\beta\widetilde\ell_\alpha)(x) D^{\alpha-\beta}u(x).

This is a finite distribution identity, not a formal infinite expansion. It can first be tested on compact smooth inputs; the bounded smooth coefficients and their derivatives extend its action to Schwartz inputs. Summing over α\alpha gives the stated exact differential expression. For comparison, Lerner’s freely readable author chapter, Theorems 2.3.18–2.3.19, printed p. 100, treats general changes of quantization and composition. Its kernel uses e2πi(x−y)⋅ηe^{2\pi i(x-y)\cdot\eta}; the substitution ξ=2πη\xi=2\pi\eta gives our convention. The finite polynomial kernel identity needed here was proved directly above, without using that general metric calculus as a prerequisite.

Reality of ℓ\ell makes the Weyl kernel equal to the complex conjugate of its transpose. Testing that distributional identity on two Schwartz inputs gives Lw∗=LwL_w^*=L_w on those tests. In the difference Lw−L~L_w-\widetilde L, every term has ∣β∣≥1|\beta|\geq1, hence differential order at most m−1m-1. Its coefficient is bounded by C⟨x⟩−M(∣β∣)≤C⟨x⟩−1−bC\langle x\rangle^{-M(|\beta|)}\leq C\langle x\rangle^{-1-b}. The local LpαL^{p_\alpha} short-range bounds follow from unit-ball comparability, exactly as in Theorem 5.1. After qq extra coefficient derivatives, monotonicity gives M(q+∣β∣)≥M(q)M(q+|\beta|)\geq M(q), so all bounds (16) persist in LwL_w. The terms with β=0\beta=0 show that the highest-order coefficients are unchanged. Combining the two short-range parts gives (20). Finally Sw=V−LwS_w=V-L_w is symmetric on compact tests by subtraction. Proposition 2.1 supplies the actual bounded HmH^m-to-L2L^2 actions and density extends these symmetry identities to that domain. □\square

For the order-two example in Solution 6.5, Weyl quantization gives

Op⁡1/2(f(x)ξ2)=fD2−if′D−14f′′,DfD−Op⁡1/2(f(x)ξ2)=14f′′. \operatorname{Op}_{1/2}(f(x)\xi^2) =fD^2-i f'D-\tfrac14 f'', \qquad DfD-\operatorname{Op}_{1/2}(f(x)\xi^2)=\tfrac14 f''.

The symmetric-average splitting there instead has remainder f′′/2f''/2. Both remainders are short range; their different constants record the two ordering choices.

Corollary 5.3 (an elliptic smooth part outside a large ball). In the splitting of Theorem 4.1, the smooth long-range part can first be made zero on a large ball and then symmetrized so that P0+LextP_0+L_{\mathrm{ext}} is uniformly elliptic. All coefficient bounds (16) remain valid, and

V=Lext+Sext V=L_{\mathrm{ext}}+S_{\mathrm{ext}}

still has symmetric summands, with coefficient-short-range SextS_{\mathrm{ext}}. For K=1K=1, writing δ=b∈(0,1)\delta=b\in(0,1), the smooth coefficients satisfy

∣cα(x)∣≤Cα⟨x⟩−δ,∣Dγcα(x)∣≤Cαγ⟨x⟩−1−δ∣γ∣(∣γ∣≥1). |c_\alpha(x)|\leq C_\alpha\langle x\rangle^{-\delta}, \qquad |D^\gamma c_\alpha(x)|\leq C_{\alpha\gamma} \langle x\rangle^{-1-\delta|\gamma|} \quad(|\gamma|\geq1).

Proof. Choose a real smooth ϑR\vartheta_R with 0≤ϑR≤10\leq\vartheta_R\leq1, zero on ∣x∣≤R|x|\leq R, one on ∣x∣≥2R|x|\geq2R, and with derivatives of order jj bounded by CjR−jC_jR^{-j}, for R≥1R\geq1. Put LR=ϑRL~L_R=\vartheta_R\widetilde L. The coefficient difference L~−LR\widetilde L-L_R is smooth and compactly supported, hence coefficient short range with any fixed positive exponent, with constants allowed to depend on RR.

The product coefficients retain every bound (16). A term with j>0j>0 derivatives on the cutoff is supported in R≤∣x∣≤2RR\leq|x|\leq2R and has decay exponent j+M(q−j)j+M(q-j) at total derivative order qq. Both slopes of MM lie between zero and one, so M(q)−M(q−j)≤jM(q)-M(q-j)\leq j. Thus j+M(q−j)≥M(q)j+M(q-j)\geq M(q). Terms with no cutoff derivative use (16) directly. These estimates may be chosen uniformly for R≥1R\geq1.

Now set Lext=(LR+LR∗)/2L_{\mathrm{ext}}=(L_R+L_R^*)/2. The coefficient-adjoint calculation of Theorem 5.1 applies unchanged: every added coefficient contains at least one derivative, decays at least as ⟨x⟩−1−b\langle x\rangle^{-1-b}, and its further derivatives retain (16) by monotonicity of MM. The highest coefficients are precisely ϑRℓ~α\vartheta_R\widetilde\ell_\alpha, since these coefficients are real. The operator is symmetric, and Sext=V−LextS_{\mathrm{ext}}=V-L_{\mathrm{ext}} is symmetric by subtraction. Its three coefficient-short-range pieces are the remainder in Theorem 4.1, the compact coefficient difference just identified, and the adjoint correction. Their minimum positive exponent is (20). The bounded HmH^m-to-L2L^2 actions and symmetry identities follow from Proposition 2.1 and density as before.

Let c0=min⁡∣ξ∣=1∣pm(ξ)∣>0c_0=\min_{|\xi|=1}|p_m(\xi)|>0. The finitely many highest ℓ~α\widetilde\ell_\alpha tend to zero at infinity. Choose RR so large that

∑∣α∣=msup⁡∣x∣≥R∣ℓ~α(x)∣<c0/2. \sum_{|\alpha|=m}\sup_{|x|\geq R} |\widetilde\ell_\alpha(x)|<c_0/2.

On unit covectors the perturbation of pmp_m then has modulus less than c0/2c_0/2 at every position; it is zero inside the ball and small outside. Homogeneity gives ∣(P0+Lext)m(x,ξ)∣≥(c0/2)∣ξ∣m|(P_0+L_{\mathrm{ext}})_m(x,\xi)|\geq(c_0/2)|\xi|^m. No positivity or fixed sign of pmp_m is required. Finally for K=1K=1, formula (16) is exactly M(0)=bM(0)=b and M(q)=1+bqM(q)=1+bq for q≥1q\geq1, giving the last displayed estimates. □\square

Use the conclusion

Check the top-derivative recovery and the joining regularity threshold, then verify the symmetric long-range/short-range decomposition. Retain the local exponent and every allowed differential order in the operator-domain application.

6. Exercises

Exercise 6.1 (foundation). For n=3,m=2n=3,m=2, give the coefficient and function exponents for zeroth- and first-order terms. Let χ\chi be smooth, equal to one near zero and supported in B(0,1/2)B(0,1/2). For s>0s>0, determine when χ(x)∣x∣−s\chi(x)|x|^{-s} belongs to each required coefficient space. At s=3/ps=3/p, determine the condition on γ>0\gamma>0 for χ(x)∣x∣−3/p(log⁡(e/∣x∣))−γ\chi(x)|x|^{-3/p}(\log(e/|x|))^{-\gamma} to belong to LpL^p.

Exercise 6.2 (intermediate). In R3\mathbb R^3, fix a nonnegative nonzero ϕ∈Cc∞(B(0,1))\phi\in C_c^\infty(B(0,1)) with ϕ(0)=1\phi(0)=1. Put Rj=4jR_j=4^j, xj=Rje1x_j=R_je_1, rj=Rj−2r_j=R_j^{-2}, and

a(x)=∑j≥1Rj ϕ((x−xj)/rj).(24) a(x)=\sum_{j\geq1}R_j\, \phi\bigl((x-x_j)/r_j\bigr). \tag{24}

Show that aa is smooth, is unbounded, and satisfies ∥a∥L2(B(y,1))≤C⟨y⟩−2\|a\|_{L^2(B(y,1))}\leq C\langle y\rangle^{-2}. Deduce that multiplication by aa is a coefficient-short-range, KK-admissible perturbation of −Δ-\Delta for every K≥1K\geq1.

Exercise 6.3 (advanced). Let aa be a nonzero smooth compactly supported function, and choose ϕ∈Cc∞\phi\in C_c^\infty with aϕ≠0a\phi\ne0. For

uN(x)=N−mϕ(x)eiNx1,N=1,2,…,(25) u_N(x)=N^{-m}\phi(x)e^{iNx_1}, \qquad N=1,2,\ldots, \tag{25}

show that the sequence is bounded in HmH^m, while aD1muNaD_1^m u_N has no strongly convergent subsequence in L2L^2. Explain the consequence for highest-order coefficient short range.

Exercise 6.4 (intermediate). In one dimension let f(x)=⟨x⟩−εf(x)=\langle x\rangle^{-\varepsilon}, 0<ε<10<\varepsilon<1, and P0=DP_0=D. Prove that V=fD−if′/2V=fD-i f'/2 is KK-admissible for every K≥1K\geq1. Give its real-coefficient long-range splitting and check ellipticity of P0+VP_0+V.

Exercise 6.5 (advanced). With the same ff, now take P0=D2P_0=D^2, V=DfDV=D f D, and the real left-ordered long-range part L=fD2L=fD^2. Compute L∗L^*, its symmetric average, and the remaining short-range operator V−(L+L∗)/2V-(L+L^*)/2. Verify the signs and decay of every coefficient. For the general budget (16) with K=2,b=1/3K=2,b=1/3, give the first five values of MM and the decay available for a correction involving three derivatives.

7. Complete solutions

Solution 6.1. A zeroth-order term has gap two. Since 3<43<4, its pair is p0=2,q0=∞p_0=2,q_0=\infty. A first-order term has gap one, and 3>23>2, so its pair is pα=3,qα=6p_\alpha=3,q_\alpha=6. Near zero, polar integration gives

∫∣x∣<c∣x∣−sp dx=∣S2∣∫0cr2−sp dr.(26) \int_{|x|<c}|x|^{-sp}\,dx =|\mathbb S^2|\int_0^c r^{2-sp}\,dr. \tag{26}

It is finite exactly when sp<3sp<3. Thus the zeroth-order coefficient permits s<3/2s<3/2, and the first-order coefficient permits s<1s<1. At equality, the logarithmic example gives ∫0cr−1(log⁡(e/r))−γp dr\int_0^c r^{-1}(\log(e/r))^{-\gamma p}\,dr. Substitute t=log⁡(e/r)t=\log(e/r); its convergence is exactly γp>1\gamma p>1. Hence the conditions are γ>1/2\gamma>1/2 and γ>1/3\gamma>1/3, respectively. These are local integrability conclusions; symmetry of a whole differential expression is an additional condition.

Solution 6.2. The supports escape every compact set, so the sum is locally finite and smooth. They are disjoint, and a(xj)=Rj→∞a(x_j)=R_j\to\infty. A unit ball meets at most one support: the smallest gap between successive centers is twelve, whereas the support radii are at most 1/161/16. When the ball meets the jj-th support, its center satisfies ∣y−xj∣<1+rj|y-x_j|<1+r_j, so ⟨y⟩\langle y\rangle is comparable with RjR_j. A change of variables gives

∥Rjϕ(( ⋅−xj)/rj)∥2=Rjrj3/2∥ϕ∥2=Rj−2∥ϕ∥2.(27) \|R_j\phi((\,\cdot-x_j)/r_j)\|_2 =R_j r_j^{3/2}\|\phi\|_2 =R_j^{-2}\|\phi\|_2. \tag{27}

This bounds the norm on that unit ball. If the ball meets no support, the norm is zero. Thus (12) holds with δ=1\delta=1 for the sole zeroth-order coefficient in the order-two problem. Its required exponent is two, as in Solution 6.1.

Multiplication by the real aa is symmetric on compact tests. It leaves the principal symbol ∣ξ∣2|\xi|^2 unchanged. Take VS=aV_S=a and L=0L=0; all long-range derivative conditions hold for every KK. Proposition 2.1 also proves the map H2→L2H^2\to L^2 is bounded despite the growing peaks.

Solution 6.3. Differentiating (25) r≤mr\leq m times produces a finite sum with factors Nj−mN^{j-m}, j≤rj\leq r. The other factors are fixed derivatives of ϕ\phi times a unit-modulus exponential. Every such norm is bounded, proving the HmH^m bound. More precisely,

aD1muN=aϕeiNx1+eN,∥eN∥2≤C/N.(28) aD_1^m u_N=a\phi e^{iNx_1}+e_N, \qquad \|e_N\|_2\leq C/N. \tag{28}

The principal term converges weakly to zero: for any h∈L2h\in L^2, its pairing is a Fourier oscillatory integral of the L1L^1 function aϕh‾a\phi\overline h, which tends to zero by the Riemann–Lebesgue lemma. Its norm is the positive constant ∥aϕ∥2\|a\phi\|_2. Hence the full sequence in (28) has weak limit zero and norms tending to that positive constant. Any strongly convergent subsequence would have limit zero by weak convergence, contradicting its norms.

The coefficient aa has compact support and satisfies every power decay at infinity, yet aD1m:Hm→L2aD_1^m:H^m\to L^2 is not compact. Thus (12), when highest-order terms are permitted, cannot by itself be interpreted as a compactness assertion in this Sobolev graph norm. To put the same example inside an elliptic symmetric perturbation class, in dimension one and order two take a small nonnegative aa and V=DaDV=D a D. Its leading symbol is a(x)ξ2a(x)\xi^2; the lower-order term in VV applied to uNu_N tends to zero, so the obstruction persists, while D2+VD^2+V remains elliptic.

Solution 6.4. Formula (23) makes VV symmetric. Each derivative of ff satisfies ∣f(r)(x)∣≤Cr⟨x⟩−ε−r|f^{(r)}(x)|\leq C_r\langle x\rangle^{-\varepsilon-r}. For completeness, write f=(1+x2)−ε/2f=(1+x^2)^{-\varepsilon/2}. Differentiation gives a finite sum of terms cxj(1+x2)−ε/2−ℓc x^j(1+x^2)^{-\varepsilon/2-\ell} with 2ℓ−j=r2\ell-j=r. Differentiating either factor preserves the identity with rr increased by one; the displayed decay follows from ∣x∣≤⟨x⟩|x|\leq\langle x\rangle.

Use the real long-range part L=fDL=fD and VS=−if′/2V_S=-i f'/2. In dimension one with m=1m=1, the lower coefficient exponent is two. The derivative bound and unit-ball comparability give its local L2L^2 norm at most C⟨y⟩−1−εC\langle y\rangle^{-1-\varepsilon}. Thus it is short range with δ=ε\delta=\varepsilon, and LL satisfies (13) for every finite KK.

The principal symbol of D+VD+V is (1+f(x))ξ(1+f(x))\xi. Since f>0f>0, its absolute value is at least ∣ξ∣|\xi|; ellipticity holds. The operator is therefore KK-admissible for every KK. Its left-ordered long-range coefficient is real, while the imaginary short-range coefficient is required by symmetry.

Solution 6.5. The product rule gives

V=fD2+(Df)D=fD2−if′D,L∗=D2f=fD2+2(Df)D+D2f,L+L∗2=fD2−if′D−12f′′,V−L+L∗2=12f′′.(29) \begin{aligned} V&=fD^2+(Df)D=fD^2-i f'D,\\ L^*&=D^2 f=fD^2+2(Df)D+D^2f,\\ \frac{L+L^*}{2} &=fD^2-i f'D-\frac12 f'',\\ V-\frac{L+L^*}{2}&=\frac12 f''. \end{aligned} \tag{29}

The expression D2fD^2 f in the second line denotes composition; its final expansion contains D2f=−f′′D^2f=-f''. This fixes both signs in the last two lines. On compact tests (Vu,v)=(fDu,Dv)(Vu,v)=(fDu,Dv), so VV is symmetric. In the real-symbol splitting L=fD2L=fD^2, the remainder is (Df)D=−if′D(Df)D=-i f'D, whose coefficient decays as ⟨x⟩−1−ε\langle x\rangle^{-1-\varepsilon}. Both lower coefficient exponents here are two. The principal coefficient of D2+VD^2+V is 1+f>01+f>0, proving ellipticity.

Direct differentiation yields

f′′(x)=ε((ε+1)x2−1)⟨x⟩−ε−4.(30) f''(x)=\varepsilon\bigl((\varepsilon+1)x^2-1\bigr) \langle x\rangle^{-\varepsilon-4}. \tag{30}

Consequently the symmetric remainder f′′/2f''/2 decays as ⟨x⟩−2−ε\langle x\rangle^{-2-\varepsilon} and has the required local L2L^2 short-range bound. The symmetric long-range expression has real coefficients at order two and zero, and a purely imaginary first-order coefficient, in accordance with Theorem 5.1.

For K=2,b=1/3K=2,b=1/3, the slope is ρ=2/3\rho=2/3. Thus M(0),…,M(4)M(0),\ldots,M(4) are 1/3,4/3,7/3,3,11/31/3,4/3,7/3,3,11/3. A correction containing three derivatives is bounded by C⟨x⟩−3C\langle x\rangle^{-3}. It is short range; after qq further derivatives its bound uses M(q+3)≥M(q)M(q+3)\geq M(q), which preserves the general long-range budget.

References

[HW] Lars Hörmander, The existence of wave operators in scattering theory, Mathematische Zeitschrift 146 (1976), 69–91, Lemma 3.3 and Definition 3.4 with its adjoint remark, pp. 77–78. Its wave-operator admissibility requires additional decay inequalities; it does not assert our complete stationary class. The present local multiplier and symmetric-splitting proofs state their own hypotheses.

[AT] Shmuel Agmon, notes by Karl Gustafson, reworked by Michael Taylor, Limiting Absorption Principle for Long Range Potentials, §1, conditions (1.1)–(1.4), sets out a smooth differential long-range model. The finite local integrability and restricted leading-coefficient regularity allowed here require the multiplication and approximation proofs above; they are not inferred from those smooth assumptions.