Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 September 2014
Let $\def \xmlpi #1{}\def \mathsfbi #1{\boldsymbol {\mathsf {#1}}}\let \le =\leqslant \let \leq =\leqslant \let \ge =\geqslant \let \geq =\geqslant \def \Pr {\mathit {Pr}}\def \Fr {\mathit {Fr}}\def \Rey {\mathit {Re}}H$ be a linear unbounded operator in a Hilbert space. It is assumed that the resolvent of $H$ is a compact operator and $H-H^*$ is a Hilbert–Schmidt operator. Various integro-differential operators satisfy these conditions. It is shown that $H$ is similar to a normal operator and a sharp bound for the condition number is suggested. We also discuss applications of that bound to spectrum perturbations and operator functions.