Kernels with only a finite number of characteristic values

Abstract

Let K(s, t) be a complex-valued L2 kernel on the square ⋜ s, t ⋜ by which we meanand let {λν}, perhaps empty, be the set of finite characteristic values (f.c.v.) of K(s, t), i.e. complex numbers with which there are associated non-trivial L2 functions øν(s) satisfyingFor such kernels, the iterated kernels,are well-defined (1), as are the higher order tracesCarleman(2) showed that the f.c.v. of K are the zeros of the modified Fredhoim determinantthe latter expression holding only for |λ| sufficiently small (3). The δn in (3) may be calculated, at least in theory, by well-known formulae involving the higher order traces (1). For our later analysis of this case, we define and , respectively, as the minimum and maximum moduli of the zeros of , the nth section of D*(K, λ).