Inverse continuity of the numerical range map for Hilbert space operators

Abstract

We describe continuity properties of the multivalued inverse of the numerical range map $f_A:x \mapsto \left\langle Ax, x \right\rangle$ associated with a linear operator $A$ defined on a complex Hilbert space $\mathcal{H}$. We prove in particular that $f_A^{-1}$ is strongly continuous at all points of the interior of the numerical range $W(A)$. We give examples where strong and weak continuity fail on the boundary and address special cases such as normal and compact operators.