Banach Algebra Techniques in Operator Theory

A revised introduction to the advanced analysis of block Toeplitz operators including recent research. This book builds on the success of the first edition which has been used as a standard reference for fifteen years. Topics range from the analysis of locally sectorial matrix functions to Toeplitz and Wiener-Hopf determinants. This will appeal to both graduate students and specialists in the theory of Toeplitz operators.

A discussion of certain advanced topics in operator theory, providing the necessary background while assuming only standard senior-first year graduate courses in general topology, measure theory, and algebra. Each chapter ends with source notes which suggest additional reading along with comments on who proved what and when, followed by a large number of problems of varying difficulty. This new edition will appeal to a whole new generation of students seeking an introduction to this topic.

Applying functional analysis and operator theory to some concrete asymptotic problems of linear algebra, this book contains results on the stability of projection methods, deals with asymptotic inverses and Moore-Penrose inversion of large Toeplitz matrices, and embarks on the asymptotic behaviour of the norms of inverses, the pseudospectra, the singular values, and the eigenvalues of large Toeplitz matrices. The approach is heavily based on Banach algebra techniques and nicely demonstrates the usefulness of C*-algebras and local principles in numerical analysis, including classical topics as well as results and methods from the last few years. Though employing modern tools, the exposition is elementary and points out the mathematical background behind some interesting phenomena encountered with large Toeplitz matrices. Accessible to readers with basic knowledge in functional analysis, the book addresses graduates, teachers, and researchers and should be of interest to everyone who has to deal with infinite matrices (Toeplitz or not) and their large truncations.

A friendly introduction to Toeplitz theory and its applications throughout modern functional analysis.