Schauder's theorem and Riesz theory for compact-like operators (Q1077688)

A linear operator on a normed space is said to be a compact operator if it maps the unit ball of the space onto a relatively compact set (i.e., a set whose closure is compact). There are two important aspects to the discussion of this class of operators. First, we have the theorem of Schauder which states that the transpose of any compact operator is also a compact operator, and, secondly, the collection of results known as the Riesz theory. Recall that a linear operator on a locally convex space is said to be a compact operator if it maps some neighborhood of zero onto a relatively compact set. For these operators we also have a Riesz theory [\textit{A. P. Robertson} and \textit{W. J. Robertson},Topological vector spaces, 2nd edition (1973; Zbl 0251.46002)] however, in this case the discussion of Schauders' theorem is much more complicated [\textit{G. Köthe}, Topological vector space II (1979; Zbl 0417.46001)]. One purpose of the paper under review is to prove a generalization of Schauders' theorem for a class of operators which properly contains the compact operators. This leads to some new results about the transpose of a compact operator on a locally convex space. The paper also contains a discussion of the Riesz theory for this more general class of operators.