Generalized Spectral Theory in Complex Banach Algebras

Abstract

Let A be an element of a complex Banach algebra with identitI. The ordinary spectrum of A, sp(A), consists of those points z in the complex plane such that A — zI has no inverse in . If Q is any other element of , we define spQ(A), the spectrum of A relative to Q, or Q-spectrum of A, as those points z such that has no inverse in . Thus if Q = 0 the Q-spectrum of A is the same as the ordinary spectrum of A.The generalized notion of spectrum, spQ(A), retains many of the properties of the ordinary spectrum, particularly when A and Q commute and the ordinary spectrum of Q does not meet the unit circle. Under these conditions the Q-spectrum of A is a nonempty compact subset of the plane, and if both sp(A) and sp(Q) are finite (or countable), so is spQ(A).