Periodic quantum graphs with predefined spectral gaps

Abstract

Let $\Gamma$ be an arbitrary $\mathbb{Z}^n$-periodic metric graph, which does not coincide with a line. We consider the Hamiltonian $\mathcal{H}_\varepsilon$ on $\Gamma$ with the action $-\varepsilon^{-1}{\mathrm{d}^2/\mathrm{d} x^2}$ on its edges; here $\varepsilon>0$ is a small parameter. Let $m\in\mathbb{N}$. We show that under a proper choice of vertex conditions the spectrum $\sigma(\mathcal{H}^\varepsilon)$ of $\mathcal{H}^\varepsilon$ has at least $m$ gaps as $\varepsilon$ is small enough. We demonstrate that the asymptotic behavior of these gaps and the asymptotic behavior of the bottom of $\sigma(\mathcal{H}^\varepsilon)$ as $\varepsilon\to 0$ can be completely controlled through a suitable choice of coupling constants standing in those vertex conditions. We also show how to ensure for fixed (small enough) $\varepsilon$ the precise coincidence of the left endpoints of the first $m$ spectral gaps with predefined numbers.