On the minimization of singular quadratic functional

Abstract

SynopsisA quadratic functional Q is considered which is defined by an integral on a subset of functions in a weighted Hilbert space. The functional Q is minimized subject to the Dirichlet index of the associated differential operator being minimal. The infimum of Q is shown to be the least point in the spectrum of a certain self-adjoint operator which arises as a Friedrichs extension.