Convergence parameter associated with a Markov chain and a family of functions

The proposed definition of convergence parameter R(W) corresponding to a Markov chain X with a measurable state space (E,?) and any nonempty setW of bounded below measurable functions f: E → ? is wider than the well-known definition of convergence parameter R in the sense of Tweedie or Nummelin. Very often, R(W) < ∞, and there exists a set playing the role of the absorbing set inNummelin’s definition ofR. Special attention is paid to the case in whichE is locally compact, X is a Feller chain on E, and W coincides with the family ? ₀ ⁺ of all compactly supported continuous functions f ≥ 0 (f ? 0). In particular, certain conditions for R(? ₀ ⁺ )^?1 to coincide with the norm of an appropriate modification of the chain transition operator are found.