\(K\)-functionals for Besov spaces (Q1178506)

Let \(X_ 0\), \(X_ 1\) be a pair of quasi-normed spaces, which are continuously embedded in a Hausdorff space \(X\); their \(K\)-functional, defined for all \(f\in X_ 0+X_ 1\) is \[ K(f,t):=\inf_{f=f_ 0+f_ 1}(\| f_ 0\|_{X_ 0}+t\| f_ 1\| _{X_ 1}). \] In particular, these functionals provide some information about interpolation spaces generated by \(X_ 0\) and \(X_ 1\). The present paper sheds some light on the nature of the interpolation for Sobolev and Besov spaces, by characterizing the \(K\)-functional for certain pairs of these spaces. These results have also applications concerning approximation by free knot splines.