Between the von Neumann inequality and the Crouzeix conjecture

Abstract: A new concept of a deformed numerical range $W^\rho(T)$ is introduced. Here $T$ is a bounded linear operator or a matrix and $ \rho \in[1,+\infty)$ is a parameter. Each $W^\rho(T)$ is a closed convex set that contains the spectrum of $T$. Furthermore, $W^\rho(T)$ is decreasing with respect to $ \rho $ and $W^2(T)$ coincides with the numerical range. It is also shown that $W^\rho(T)$ is contained in the closed unit disc if and only if $T$ has a $\rho$ unitary dilation in the sense of N\'agy-Foia\c s. The spectral constants of $W^\rho(T)$ are investigated, it is shown that it is monotone and continuous with respect to the parameter $ \rho $.