The Krein–von Neumann Extension for Schrödinger Operators on Metric Graphs

The Krein–von Neumann extension is studied for Schrödinger operators on metric graphs. Among other things, its vertex conditions are expressed explicitly, and its relation to other self-adjoint vertex conditions (e.g. continuity-Kirchhoff) is explored. A variational characterisation for its positive eigenvalues is obtained. Based on this, the behaviour of its eigenvalues under perturbations of the metric graph is investigated, and so-called surgery principles are established. Moreover, isoperimetric eigenvalue inequalities are obtained.