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Approximation numbers of composition operators on the $H^2$ space of Dirichlet series

By a theorem of Gordon and Hedenmalm, $φ$ generates a bounded composition operator on the Hilbert space $\mathscr{H}^2$ of Dirichlet series $\sum_n b_n n^{-s}$ with square-summable coefficients $b_n$ if and only if $φ(s)=c_0 s+ψ(s)$, where $c_0$ is a nonnegative integer and $ψ$ a Dirichlet series with the following mapping properties: $ψ$ maps the right half-plane into the half-plane $\operatorname{Re} s >1/2$ if $c_0=0$ and is either identically zero or maps the right half-plane into itself if $c_0$ is positive. It is shown that the $n$th approximation numbers of bounded composition operators on $\mathscr{H}^2$ are bounded below by a constant times $r^n$ for some $0<r<1$ when $c_0=0$ and bounded below by a constant times $n^{-A}$ for some $A>0$ when $c_0$ is positive. Both results are best possible. The case when $c_0=0$, $ψ$ is bounded and smooth up to the boundary of the right half-plane, and $\sup \operatorname{Re} ψ=1/2$, is discussed in depth; it includes examples of non-compact operators as well as operators belonging to all Schatten classes $S_p$. For $φ(s)=c_1+\sum_{j=1}^d c_{q_j} q_j^{-s}$ with $q_j$ independent integers, it is shown that the $n$th approximation number behaves as $n^{-(d-1)/2}$, possibly up to a factor $(\log n)^{(d-1)/2}$. Estimates rely mainly on a general Hilbert space method involving finite linear combinations of reproducing kernels. A key role is played by a recently developed interpolation method for $\mathscr{H}^2$ using estimates of solutions of the $\bar{\partial}$ equation. Finally, by a transference principle from $H^2$ of the unit disc, explicit examples of compact composition operators with approximation numbers decaying at essentially any sub-exponential rate can be displayed.