Momentum Operators in Two Intervals: Spectra and Phase Transition

Abstract

We study the momentum operator defined on the disjoint union of two intervals. Even in one dimension, the question of two non-empty open and non-overlapping intervals has not been worked out in a way that extends the cases of a single interval and gives a list of the selfadjoint extensions. Starting with zero boundary conditions at the four endpoints, we characterize the selfadjoint extensions and undertake a systematic and complete study of the spectral theory of the selfadjoint extensions. In an application of our extension theory to harmonic analysis, we offer a new family of spectral pairs. Compared to earlier studies, it yields a more direct link between spectrum and geometry.

35 pages, 20 figures