A class of nonlinear equations in Hilbert space and its application to completeness problems

Nonlinear equations arising in the spectral theory of self-adjoint operator functions and related completeness problems for eigenvectors are studied. A separation theorem about the values of the Rayleigh functional on solutions of a nonlinear equation is proved. This theorem is used, as a new approach to establish completeness of eigenvectors for some classes of self-adjoint operator functions. Examples from matrix pencils are given.