On the eigenvalues of operators with gaps. Application to Dirac operators

Abstract

This paper is devoted to a general min-max characterization of the eigenvalues in a gap of the essential spectrum of a self-adjoint unbounded operator. We prove an abstract theorem, then we apply it to the case of Dirac operators with a Coulomb-like potential. The result is optimal for the Coulomb potential. An erratum is appended at the end of the tex.