Eigenvalue and Resonance Asymptotics in perturbed periodically twisted tubes: Twisting versus Bending

Abstract: We consider the Dirichlet Laplacian in a three-dimensional waveguide that is a small deformation of a periodically twisted tube. The deformation is given by a bending and an additional twisting of the tube, both parametrized by a coupling constant $\delta$. We expand the resolvent of the perturbed operator near the bottom of its essential spectrum and we show the existence of exactly one resonance, in the asymptotic regime of $\delta$ small. We are able to perform the asymptotic expansion of the resonance in $\delta$, which in particular permits us to give a quantitative geometric criterion for the existence of a discrete eigenvalue below the essential spectrum. In the particular case of perturbations of straight tubes, we are able to show the existence of resonances not only near the bottom of the essential spectrum but near each threshold in the spectrum. We also obtain the asymptotic behavior of the resonances in this situation, which is generically different from the first case.