Projective limit techniques for the infinite dimensional moment problem (Q2125049): Difference between revisions

Let \(A\) be a unital commutative real algebra, whose character space is denoted by \(X(A)\), and let \(\Sigma\) be a \(\sigma\)-algebra on \(X(A)\). The authors deal with the following general moment problem. Fixing a set \(K\in\Sigma\) and a linear functional \(L: A\mapsto \mathbb R\) with \(L(1) = 1\), does there exist a (representing) measure \(\nu\), defined on \(\Sigma\) and supported in \(K\), such that \(L(a) =\int_{X(A)}\alpha(a)d\nu(\alpha)\) for all \(a\in A\)? This problem is approached by regarding the character space \(X(A)\) as a projective limit of the character spaces of all finitely generated unital subalgebras of \(A\). The authors find a criterion for the existence of an integral representation of a linear functional on \(A\) with respect to a Radon measure on the Borel \(\sigma\)-algebra on \(X(A)\), assuming that the corresponding moment problem is solvable for all finitely generated unital subalgebras of \(A\) (which look like ``truncated moment problems''). After localizing the support of the representing measures, the authors try to establish analogues of the well-known results by Riesz-Haviland and Nussbaum. Their results are then applied to the case of the algebra of polynomials in infinitely many variables and to the symmetric tensor algebra of a real infinite dimensional vector space as well. Reviewer's remark: Solving moment problems in an infinite-dimensional setting via the existence of solutions for truncated moment problems has also appeared in less abstract contexts. A first contribution in this sense is apparently due to \textit{J.~Stochel} [Glasg. Math. J. 43, No.~3, 335--341 (2001; Zbl 0995.44004)]. There is also a contribution by the reviewer extending the result by J.~Stochel (see [\textit{F.~H. Vasilescu}, Math. Scand. 96, No.~2, 257--279 (2005; Zbl 1084.46038)]).