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An approximate eigenvalue of a bounded operator $T$ is a scalar $\lambda$ admitting unit vectors $x_n$ with $\Vert (T-\lambda I)x_n\Vert \to 0$. Every approximate eigenvalue belongs to the spectrum; for a normal operator, all spectral points are approximate eigenvalues.

For a normal operator with disconnected spectrum $K=K_1\bigsqcup K_2$, the indicator function of a nonempty proper clopen component union is continuous on $K$. The continuous functional calculus makes it a nonzero proper self-adjoint linear projection commuting with $T,T^{\ast }$. Its range is therefore a nontrivial closed reducing subspace. No eigenvector is needed.

Use an inner product linear in the first variable. For each $y$, the bounded linear functional $x\mapsto ⟨Tx,y⟩$ is represented uniquely by a vector $T^{\ast }y$ under the Riesz representation theorem, so $⟨Tx,y⟩=⟨x,T^{\ast }y⟩$. Uniqueness and the conjugate-linearity in the second argument imply $T^{\ast }(ay+bz)=a{T}^{\ast }y+b{T}^{\ast }z$. FurthermoreThus the adjoint operator exists, is linear and bounded, and is unique because a vector orthogonal to every $x$ is zero.

A normal operator satisfies $T^{\ast }T=T{T}^{\ast }$. The unilateral unilateral shift operator $S(x_1,x_2,\dots )=(0,x_1,x_2,\dots )$ on ${\ell }^2$ is bounded but not normal: $S^{\ast }S=I$, whereas $S{S}^{\ast }=I-P_{e_1}$. For general $T$,Normality implies equality of norms. Conversely equality for every $x$ makes this self-adjoint operator's quadratic form zero; the polarization identity then gives $T^{\ast }T-T{T}^{\ast }=0$.

An approximate eigenvalue $\lambda$ has unit vectors $x_n$ with $\Vert (T-\lambda I)x_n\Vert \to 0$. It is necessarily in the spectrum, since a bounded inverse would prevent this. Conversely suppose $\lambda$ is not an approximate eigenvalue. Then $A=T-\lambda I$ is bounded below, $\Vert Ax\Vert \ge c\Vert x\Vert$. It is injective and has closed range: a convergent sequence $A{x}_n$ forces $x_n$ to be Cauchy. The operator $A$ is normal, so $\Vert A^{\ast }x\Vert =\Vert Ax\Vert$ and $\ker A^{\ast }=0$. The identity $(\mathrm{ran}A{)}^{\perp }=\ker A^{\ast }$ makes its range dense. Closed and dense means surjective, and its inverse is bounded by $1/c$. Hence $\lambda$ is in the resolvent. This proves $\boxed{\sigma (T)={\sigma }_{\mathrm{ap}}(T)}$.

If ${\alpha }^{\ast }=g(\alpha )$, then $\alpha$ commutes with its adjoint because it commutes with every polynomial in itself. Hence $\alpha$ is a normal operator.

Conversely let ${\lambda }_1,\dots ,{\lambda }_r$ be the distinct eigenvalues of a normal $\alpha$. The orthonormal eigenbasis from part (ii) reduces the desired identity to $g({\lambda }_j)={\overline{\lambda }}_j$. Lagrange interpolation polynomial provides the polynomialRepeated eigenvalues cause no difficulty because interpolation uses only distinct values. If $V=\{0\}$, use $g=0$. This proves both directions of the third equivalence.

We prove the finite-dimensional spectral theorem for normal operators by induction on dimension. A complex linear operator has an eigenvector $v$ with eigenvalue $\lambda$, by the fundamental theorem of algebra. For a normal operator $T$, the operator $T-\lambda I$ is also normal, andfor every $w$. Applying this to $v$ shows $T^{\ast }v=\overline{\lambda }v$.

Normalize $v$. Its orthogonal complement $W=v^{\perp }$ is invariant under both $T$ and $T^{\ast }$: the adjoint operator identities pair $Tw$ with $v$ through $T^{\ast }v$, and $T^{\ast }w$ with $v$ through $Tv$. The restricted operator on $W$ remains normal, and its adjoint is the restriction of $T^{\ast }$. Induction supplies an orthonormal eigenbasis of $W$, which together with $v$ gives one for $V$.

Conversely, in an orthonormal basis of eigenvectors, $T$ is diagonal and $T^{\ast }$ is the diagonal matrix of the conjugate eigenvalues. The two diagonal operators commute. Thus normality is equivalent to an orthonormal eigenbasis. The zero-dimensional case is immediate.

The definitions in a unital C-star algebra areThus a Hermitian element of a C-star algebra is self-adjoint, a Unitary element of a C-star algebra has inverse $x^{\ast }$, and a Normal element of a C-star algebra commutes with its adjoint. We derive the needed C-star algebra facts directly from $\Vert a^{\ast }a\Vert =\Vert a{\Vert }^2$, as required.

First $\Vert 1\Vert =\Vert 1{\Vert }^2$ gives $\Vert 1\Vert =1$, andgives $\Vert a\Vert \le \Vert a^{\ast }\Vert$; applying the same argument to $a^{\ast }$ gives equality. Thus the involution is an isometry. For a Unitary element of a C-star algebra $u$,The general Banach algebra spectrum bound gives $|\lambda |\le 1$ for $\lambda \in \sigma (u)$. Such a $\lambda$ is nonzero, and the inverse spectral mapping theorem gives ${\lambda }^{-1}\in \sigma (u^{-1})$, so also $|\lambda {|}^{-1}\le 1$. Hence

If $h=h^{\ast }$, the convergent exponential series and the isometric involution give $(e^{ith}{)}^{\ast }=e^{-ith}$. These commuting exponentials multiply to $1$, so $e^{ith}$ is unitary for real $t$. By the exponential spectral mapping theorem, if $\lambda \in \sigma (h)$ then $e^{it\lambda }\in \sigma (e^{ith})\subseteq \mathbb{T}$. Taking $t=1$ gives $e^{-\mathrm{Im}\lambda }=1$, soOnly general Banach algebra spectral mapping theorem and the defining C-star identity were used.

Now prove spectral permanence for C-star algebras. Let $B\subseteq A$ be the norm-closed C-star subalgebra with the same identity. The algebraic inclusion always gives ${\sigma }_A(b)\subseteq {\sigma }_B(b)$. For $h=h^{\ast }\in B$, both spectra lie in $\mathbb{R}$. If $\lambda \notin {\sigma }_A(h)$, choose nonreal ${\lambda }_n\to \lambda$. Since ${\sigma }_B(h)\subseteq \mathbb{R}$, each $({\lambda }_{n}1-h{)}^{-1}$ belongs to $B$. By continuity of inversion in a Banach algebra, these inverses converge in $A$ to $(\lambda 1-h{)}^{-1}$, which belongs to $B$ because $B$ is closed. Thus $\lambda \notin {\sigma }_B(h)$, proving equality for hermitian elements.

For the requested normal $x\in B$, suppose $b=x-\lambda 1$ is invertible in $A$. The element $b^{\ast }b$ is hermitian and invertible in $A$, so the equality just proved places $(b^{\ast }b{)}^{-1}$ in $B$. ConsequentlySince $b$ already has a two-sided inverse in $A$, multiplying $yb=1$ by that inverse gives $y=b^{-1}$. Hence its inverse belongs to $B$, and

We need one more elementary consequence of the C-star identity: the spectral radius norm equality for normal elements. If $h=h^{\ast }$, then $\Vert h^2\Vert =\Vert h{\Vert }^2$. If $a$ is normal, commutativity of $a,a^{\ast }$ givesEvery power of $a$ is a Normal element of a C-star algebra. Induction gives $\Vert a^{2^n}\Vert =\Vert a{\Vert }^{2^n}$. The general spectral radius formula therefore implies

The continuous functional calculus is the unique unital $\ast$-homomorphism $C(K)\to \mathcal{B}(H)$ taking the coordinate function to $T$. For bounded linear operators on a Hilbert space, the adjoint identity gives $\Vert S\Vert ={\sup }_{\Vert v\Vert =\Vert w\Vert =1}|⟨Sv,w⟩|=\Vert S^{\ast }\Vert$. ThereforeThis proves the C-star identity for $\mathcal{B}(H)$ directly; completeness and submultiplicativity come from the operator norm. LetBecause $T$ is a normal operator, this is a commutative unital C-star algebra. Every element of $C$ is a Normal element of a C-star algebra, so the preceding norm identity says its Gelfand transform is isometric:Here $\Delta (C)$ is the compact character space from the general Gelfand representation theorem for commutative Banach algebras.

Each algebra character preserves the involution. Indeed, write $a=h+ik$ with $h,k$ hermitian; $\chi (h)\in {\sigma }_C(h)\subseteq \mathbb{R}$ and similarly for $k$, so $\chi (a^{\ast })=\overline{\chi (a)}$. Therefore the continuous mapis injective: its value determines $\chi (T^{\ast })$ and hence its value on all the dense polynomials. It is surjective because the general character description of the spectrum gives $\{\chi (T):\chi \in \Delta (C)\}={\sigma }_C(T)$, and spectral permanence for C-star algebras identifies this with ${\sigma }_{\mathcal{B}(H)}(T)=K$. A continuous function that is a bijection from a compact space to a Hausdorff space is a homeomorphism, so we identify $\Delta (C)$ with $K$.

Under this identification, the Gelfand transform sends $T$ to $u(z)=z$ and $T^{\ast }$ to $\overline{u}$. Its image is an isometric, and therefore closed, unital self-adjoint subalgebra of $C(K)$. It separates points because it contains $u$. The complex Stone-Weierstrass theorem makes the image dense, hence equal to all of $C(K)$. Inverting the Gelfand transform and including $C$ into $\mathcal{B}(H)$ givesan isometric unital C-star homomorphism with $u(T)=T$.

To prove uniqueness without assuming automatic continuity of C-star homomorphisms, let $\Psi$ be any other such map. Since every $f\in C(K)$ is normal, $\Psi (f)$ is normal. A unital algebra homomorphism preserves inverses, soUsing the normal-element norm identity yields $\Vert \Psi (f)\Vert =r(\Psi (f))\le \Vert f{\Vert }_{\infty }$. Thus $\Psi$ is contractive. It agrees with $\Phi$ on polynomials in $u,\overline{u}$, since both send them to the same polynomials in $T,T^{\ast }$. These polynomials are dense by the Stone-Weierstrass theorem, so continuity proves $\Psi =\Phi$. This establishes the continuous functional calculus with no unproved theorem specific to C-star algebras.

A disconnected spectrum gives a nontrivial closed invariant subspace. Write $K=K_1\bigsqcup K_2$ with $K_1,K_2$ nonempty and both open and closed in $K$. The indicator function $f=1_{K_1}$ is continuous on $K$, even though no such continuity is needed across the gap outside $K$. Let $P=f(T)$. The continuous functional calculus givesIts isometry gives $\Vert P\Vert =1$ and $\Vert I-P\Vert =1$, so $P\ne 0,I$. The linear projection has closed range $Y=PH=\ker (I-P)$. Its range is nonzero and proper, and $T(Px)=P(Tx)\in Y$ proves invariance. Since it also commutes with $T^{\ast }$, the same subspace is reducing. This proves disconnected spectrum gives a reducing subspace.

The figure can be realized without any eigenvalues: take $H=L^2(K,dA)$, where $dA$ is planar area on the two closed disks, and let $T$ multiply by $z$. Its adjoint multiplies by $\overline{z}$, so it is a normal operator. An eigenvector for $\lambda$ would be supported on the area-zero singleton $\{\lambda \}$, hence would be zero in $L^2$. Outside $K$, multiplication by $1/(z-\lambda )$ is a bounded inverse to $T-\lambda I$. For $\lambda \in K$, normalized indicator functions of $K\cap \{|z-\lambda |<\epsilon \}$ have $\Vert (T-\lambda I)h\Vert \le \epsilon$, excluding a bounded inverse. Thus its spectrum is exactly $K$. The linear projection in the figure multiplies by $1_{K_1}$, and its range consists of functions supported on the left disk.

The Riesz-Markov-Kakutani representation theorem identifies the dual of the complex space of continuous functions on a compact space $C(K)$ with finite regular complex Borel measures on $K$: each bounded linear functional has a unique representationHere $|\mu |$ is the variation measure; positive functionals correspond exactly to positive regular measures. This is the measure representation theorem, rather than the Hilbert-space representation of a functional by a vector.

For the spectral construction use the convention that the Hilbert inner product is linear in its first argument. A unital subalgebra of $\mathcal{B}(H)$ is understood to contain $I_H$: an algebra whose abstract identity is a smaller projection could not give a resolution normalized by $P(K)=I_H$. On a compact Hausdorff space, a resolution of the identity is understood to be a normalized regular projection-valued measure: its scalar measures are regular, its values are orthogonal projections, and it is countably additive in the strong operator topology. Regularity is part of the usual convention needed for the uniqueness assertion; the statement is interpreted in this sense.

The Commutative Gelfand--Naimark theorem makes the Gelfand transform an isometric unital star-isomorphism $A\to C(K)$, where $K={\Phi }_A$ is compact Hausdorff. Denote its inverse by $\pi :C(K)\to A\subset \mathcal{B}(H)$. For $x,y\in H$, the bounded linear functional $f\mapsto ⟨\pi (f)x,y⟩$ has norm at most $\Vert x\Vert \Vert y\Vert$. Riesz-Markov-Kakutani gives a regular complex measure ${\mu }_{x,y}$ such thatUniqueness makes these measures sesquilinear in $x,y$. For $f\ge 0$, the identity $\pi (f)=\pi (\sqrt{f})\pi (\sqrt{f}{)}^{\ast }$ shows positivity, so ${\mu }_{x,x}$ is positive with total mass $\Vert x{\Vert }^2$.

For every Borel set $B$, the bounded sesquilinear form $(x,y)\mapsto {\mu }_{x,y}(B)$ determines an operator $P(B)$ by Hilbert-space Riesz representation theorem, withIn particular $0\le P(B)\le I$ and $P(B)$ is self-adjoint. We now verify the projection identity rather than assume it.

For continuous $f$, uniqueness of the representing measure applied to continuous test functions givesThese identities imply $P(B)\pi (f)=\pi (f)P(B)$. Testing once more against a continuous $g$ givesThe restriction $1_B{\mu }_{x,y}$ of a finite regular Borel measure is still regular, so uniqueness in Riesz-Markov-Kakutani yields ${\mu }_{P(B)x,y}=1_B{\mu }_{x,y}$. Consequently, for any Borel $C$,Taking $C=B$ proves that $P(B)$ is an orthogonal projection. Also $P(K)=I$ and $P(\varnothing )=0$. For disjoint $B_j$, these projections are orthogonal, and scalar countable additivity gives weak countable additivity. If $B={\bigcup }_j{B}_j$, then $R_N=P(B)-{\sum }_{j\le N}P(B_j)$ is the projection of the remaining union andThus countable additivity holds in the strong operator topology. The scalar measures are the regular measures already constructed. This completes the scalar-measure construction of a projection-valued measure.

By the integral theorem permitted in the question, continuous $f$ satisfies $⟨(\int fdP)x,y⟩=\int fd{\mu }_{x,y}=⟨\pi (f)x,y⟩$, and hence $\int fdP=\pi (f)$. For $T\in A$, this proves the spectral theorem for a commutative operator algebra:Any other regular resolution giving these integrals has the same scalar integrals on all of $C(K)$; Riesz-Markov-Kakutani uniqueness forces the same scalar measures and therefore the same projections on every Borel set.

For nonempty open $U\subset K$, compact Hausdorff normality supplies a nonzero continuous function $f$ supported in $U$. If $P(U)=0$, the stated squared-norm identity for spectral integrals gives $\pi (f)=\int fdP=0$, contradicting the isometry of $\pi$. This proves the full support of a faithful spectral measure propertyFaithfulness of the representation is essential here.

The spectral theorem for normal operators says that a bounded normal operator $T$ on a nonzero complex Hilbert space has a unique regular projection-valued measure $E$ on $\sigma (T)$ such that $T=\int zdE(z)$. Its support is all of $\sigma (T)$, and bounded Borel functions have the associated Borel functional calculus for a normal operator.

For the proof sketch, $A=C^{\ast }(I,T)$ is commutative because $T$ commutes with $T^{\ast }$; polynomials in these two operators commute, as do their norm limits. The map ${\Phi }_A\to \sigma (T)$, $\phi \mapsto \phi (T)$, is onto by the character of an algebra formula and spectral permanence for C-star algebras. It is one-to-one because a character of an algebra preserves the star operation and its values on $T,T^{\ast }$ determine it on their dense polynomial algebra. It is therefore a homeomorphism from compact ${\Phi }_A$ to the Hausdorff spectrum. Transport the resolution just constructed through this homeomorphism. It gives the formula for $T$ and full support; conversely a regular resolution for $T$ gives the same integrals for polynomials in $T,T^{\ast }$, hence by density the same continuous functional calculus and the same resolution. This argument works without separability of $H$.

Finally choose disjoint nonempty relatively open sets $U,V\subset \sigma (T)$ around two distinct spectral points, and put $Q=E(U)$. Full support gives $Q\ne 0$ and $E(V)\ne 0$, while $QE(V)=0$, so $Q\ne I$. The spectral integral, or multiplicativity of its Borel calculus with $1_U$, gives $QT=TQ$ and also $Q{T}^{\ast }=T^{\ast }Q$. Thus $Y=QH$ is closed, nonzero and proper, and $T(Qx)=Q(Tx)\in Y$. The spectral projection gives a reducing subspace conclusion isIn fact it is a reducing subspace, since it is also invariant under $T^{\ast }$.

First construct the spectral measure of a normal operator and prove the open-set assertion needed for all three numbered conclusions. The algebra $A=C^{\ast }(I,T)$ generated by $T$ and $T^{\ast }$ is commutative because $T$ is a normal operator. The Gelfand transform identifies $A$ with $C({\Phi }_A)$. By spectral permanence for C-star algebras,is onto: its image is the spectrum of $T$ in $A$, which is also its spectrum in $\mathcal{B}(H)$. It is injective because a character is determined by its values on $T,T^{\ast }$ and $I$, and $\chi (T^{\ast })=\overline{\chi (T)}$. Thus $h$ is a homeomorphism. Apply part (a) and setThis is a projection-valued measure with $P(K)=I$ andThe associated continuous functional calculus is isometric: $\Vert u(T)\Vert =\Vert u{\Vert }_{\infty }$ for $u\in C(K)$.

If $U\subseteq K$ is nonempty and relatively open, choose $z_0\in U$ and a nonzero continuous $u$ supported inside $U$, for example a small continuous bump about $z_0$ in the metric of $K\subseteq \mathbb{C}$. If $P(U)=0$, then $u(T)={\int }_{K}udP=0$, contradicting $\Vert u(T)\Vert =\Vert u{\Vert }_{\infty }>0$. ThereforeThis proves the claim from faithfulness of the representation rather than assuming it as part of the spectral theorem.

Now take an isolated point $\lambda \in K$. Its singleton is relatively open, so $P(\{\lambda \})\ne 0$. Multiplication of spectral integrals givesThus its range is contained in the eigenspace $\ker (T-\lambda I)$. Conversely, for $v$ in that kernel, the positive scalar spectral measure ${\mu }_v(B)=⟨P(B)v,v⟩$ satisfiesIt follows that ${\mu }_v(K\setminus \{\lambda \})=0$, and hence $\Vert (I-P(\{\lambda \}))v{\Vert }^2=0$. ConsequentlyThe identification of this projection with the eigenspace holds even for a non-isolated $\lambda$; isolation guarantees that it is nonzero.

If $K=\{{\lambda }_0\}$, the projection-valued measure satisfies $P(\{{\lambda }_0\})=P(K)=I$. Its integral representation therefore reduces toThus a normal operator with a singleton spectrum is a scalar multiple of the identity operator. Normality is essential: a nonzero nilpotent matrix has spectrum $\{0\}$ but need not be zero.

After the pressure enforces incompressibility, let $L$ denote the displayed linear operator. Integration by parts givesThe pressure terms vanish by incompressibility and the boundary conditions. The expression is symmetric under $i\leftrightarrow j$, soThus $L$ is a self-adjoint operator in the energy inner product and hence a normal operator. Its orthogonal eigenmodes cannot generate non-normal transient growth.

Let $L_n=\mathrm{span}\{e_1,\dots ,e_n\}$ and let $P_n$ be its orthogonal projection. For $z\in \mathbb{C}$, defineBecause $A$ is unitary,The displayed finite Hermitian matrix uses only finitely many matrix entries of $A$, and its least eigenvalue can be approximated by an arithmetic algorithm in the SCI hierarchy.

As $L_n$ increases densely,A unitary operator is normal, so the spectral theorem for normal operators on a separable Hilbert space identifies the limit asThe functions ${\gamma }_n$ are continuous and decrease to a continuous function on the compact unit circle. The Dini theorem therefore gives uniform convergence there.

Take successively finer rational meshes $G_n$ around $\mathbb{T}$. From the finitely computed values of ${\gamma }_n$, retain the mesh minima in the comparison neighborhoods whose radii are ${\gamma }_n(z)$; equivalently, use the standard local-minimum construction for a decreasing approximation to a distance function. Call the resulting finite set ${\Gamma }_n(A)$. Uniform convergence and the shrinking mesh implyin Hausdorff distance. Every operation at stage $n$ is finite and arithmetic, so $({\Gamma }_n)$ is the required one-limit sequence.

There is no finite-stage certificate that the whole output has the correct Hausdorff error: the convergence of ${\gamma }_n$ has no uniform computable rate over all unitary operators, and unseen matrix entries can still reveal a missing spectral component. A small computed residual can certify that an individual output point lies near the spectrum, but it cannot verify that ${\Gamma }_n(A)$ covers all of $\mathrm{Sp}(A)$. Thus the full finite-stage output is not verifiable without additional information.