Eigenvectors of Order-Preserving Linear Operators

Suppose that K is a closed, total cone in a real Banach spaceX, that A:XX is a bounded linear operator which maps K intoitself, and that A' denotes the Banach space adjoint of A. Assumethat r, the spectral radius of A, is positive, and that thereexist x₀0 and m1 with A^m(x₀)=r^mx₀ (or, more generally, thatthere exist x₀(–K) and m1 with A^m(x₀)r^mx₀). If, in addition,A satisfies some hypotheses of a type used in mean ergodic theorems,it is proved that there exist uK–{0} and K'–{0}with A(u)=ru, A'()=r and (u)>0. The support boundary of Kis used to discuss the algebraic simplicity of the eigenvaluer. The relation of the support boundary to H. Schaefer's ideasof quasi-interior elements of K and irreducible operators Ais treated, and it is noted that, if dim(X)>1, then thereexists an xK–{0} which is not a quasi-interior point.The motivation for the results is recent work of Toland, whoconsidered the case in which X is a Hilbert space and A is self-adjoint;the theorems in the paper generalize several of Toland's propositions.