Generalized eigenfunctions and eigenvalues: a unifying framework for Shnol-type theorems

Abstract: Let $H$ be a generalized Schr\"odinger operator on a domain of a non-compact connected Riemannian manifold, and a generalized eigenfunction $u$ for $H$: that is, $u$ satisfies the equation $Hu=\lambda u$ in the weak sense but is not necessarily in $L^2$. The problem is to find conditions on the growth of $u$, so that $\lambda$ belongs to the spectrum of $H$. We unify and generalize known results on this problem. In addition, a variety of examples is provided, illustrating the different nature of the growth conditions.