Operators of subprincipal type

Abstract

In this paper we consider the solvability of pseudodifferential operators when the principal symbol vanishes of at least second order at a non-radial involutive manifold $\Sigma_2$. We shall assume that the subprincipal symbol is of principal type with Hamilton vector field tangent to $\Sigma_2$ at the characteristics, but transversal to the symplectic leaves of $\Sigma_2$. We shall also assume that the subprincipal symbol is essentially constant on the leaves of $\Sigma_2$ and does not satisfy the Nirenberg-Treves condition (${\Psi}$) on $\Sigma_2$. In the case when the sign change is of infinite order, we also need a condition on the rate of vanishing of both the Hessian of the principal symbol and the complex part of the gradient of the subprincipal symbol compared with the subprincipal symbol. Under these conditions, we prove that $P$ is not solvable.Comment: Minor corrections and changes of previous version. Added Example 2.9. Accepted for publication in Analysis & PD