Distinguished Visiting Professor Talk Series: Constanze Liaw, Baylor University, April 14th @4pm in Olin 372

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Title: Perspectives on Rank 1 Perturbations

Abstract: 

The central question in perturbation theory is as follows. Let A and B be linear transformations; think of (NxN)-matrices or differential operators.

we know the eigenvalues of A and have partial information about B. What can we say about the eigenvalues of A+B?

The perturbation is said to be of rank 1, if we assume that B is a vector projection. This seemingly simple example (a) exhibits a surprisingly rich theory with connections

to harmonic analysis and operator theory; and (b) arises naturally in mathematical physics via a change of boundary conditions of a second order differential operator.