Eigenvalue gap theorems for a class of non symmetric elliptic operators on convex domains

Abstract

Adapting the method of Andrews-Clutterbuck we prove an eigenvalue gap theorem for a class of non symmetric second order linear elliptic operators on a convex domain in euclidean space. The class of operators includes the Bakry-Emery laplacian with potential and any operator with second order term the laplacian whose first order terms have coefficients with compact support in the open domain. The eigenvalue gap is bounded below by the gap of an associated Sturm-Liouville problem on a closed interval.