Mean-bounded operators and mean ergodic theorems (Q1056879)

A linear operator T on a Banach space B is said to be ''mean-bounded'' if \(\sup_{n\geq 1}n^{-1}\| I+...+T^{n-1}\| <+\infty \). It was conjectured by A. Brunel that any mean-bounded positive operator on \(L_ p\) \((1<p<\infty)\) verifies the mean and the pointwise ergodic theorem, that is \(\lim_{n}n^{-1}(I+...+T^{n-1})f\) exists in norm and a.e. for any \(f\in L_ p.\) The norm convergence is not a consequence of the well-known mean ergodic theorems of Yosida-Kakutani, since it is not obvious that \(T^ n/n\to 0.\) We first prove that the resolent of T is well-defined and is strongly convergent if B is reflexive. Then, using a Tauberian theorem of J. Karamata and the crucial hypothesis T positive, we obtain the Cesàro convergence in norm. The pointwise convergence problem is still open. We only note that the resolvent is pointwise convergent on a dense subset of \(L_ p\).