Gabor unconditional bases and frames in $L^p(\mathbb{R})$

Abstract: We consider the following problem: given a set $Λ\subset \mathbb{R} \times \mathbb{R}$ and $p \neq 2$, does there exist a function $g \in L^p(\mathbb{R})$ such that the Gabor system ${g(x-t) e^{2 πisx}}$, $(t,s) \in Λ$, consisting of time-frequency shifts of $g$, forms an unconditional basis or unconditional Schauder frame in the space $L^p(\mathbb{R})$? We completely resolve this question for $p>2$; in particular, we characterize the sets $Λ$ such that an unconditional Schauder frame of this form exists. We also prove a Balian-Low type result, showing that the window function $g$ cannot enjoy mild continuity and decay conditions. For $1<p<2$, we prove that a Gabor system cannot form an unconditional basis or unconditional Schauder frame in $L^p(\mathbb{R})$ if the set $Λ$ satisfies a natural separation condition.