B4.7
Throughout this question, is an infinite-dimensional, separable Hilbert space. You may use, without proof, any theorems about compact operators that you require.
Define a Fredholm operator , on a Hilbert space , and define the index of .
(i) Prove that if is Fredholm then is closed.
(ii) Let and let have finite rank. Prove that also has finite rank.
(iii) Let , where is the identity operator on and has finite rank; let . By considering and (or otherwise) prove that is Fredholm with ind .
(iv) Let be Fredholm with ind . Prove that , where is invertible and has finite rank.
[You may wish to note that effects an isomorphism from onto ; also ker and have the same finite dimension.]
(v) Deduce from (iii) and (iv) that is Fredholm with ind if and only if with invertible and compact.
(vi) Explain briefly, by considering suitable shift operators on (i.e. not using any theorems about Fredholm operators) that, for each , there is a Fredholm operator on with ind .