Commutators, spectral trace identities, and universal estimates for eigenvalues

Using simple commutator relations, we obtain several trace identities involving eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of an abstract self-adjoint operator acting in a Hilbert space. Applications involve abstract universal estimates for the eigenvalue gaps. As particular examples, we present simple proofs of the classical universal estimates for eigenvalues of the Dirichlet Laplacian, as well as of some known and new results for other differential operators and systems. We also suggest an extension of the methods to the case of non-self-adjoint operators. © 2002 Elsevier Science (USA).