On generalized resolvents and \(Q\)-functions of symmetric linear relations (subspaces) in Hilbert space (Q1229417)

Let \(H\) be a Hilbert space and let \(S\) be a symmetric linear relation in \(H\) [\textit{R. Arens}, Pac. J. Math. 11, 9--23 (1961; Zbl 0102.10201)]. The notion of a \(Q\)-function of a symmetric operator in \(H\) with equal defect numbers was introduced by \textit{M. G. Kreĭn} [Dokl. Akad. Nauk SSSR, n. Ser. 52, 651--654 (1946; Zbl 0063.03358)] and \textit{Sh.N. Saakyan} [Dokl. Akad. Nauk Arm. SSR 41, 193--198 (1965; Zbl 0163.37804)]. In this paper the \(Q\)-function of a symmetric linear relation \(S\) is introduced and M. G. Kreĭn's formula for the generalized resolvents of a symmetric linear operator is extended to the generalized resolvents of \(S\). In terms of the \(Q\)-function a necessary and sufficient condition for a minimal self-adjoint linear relation extension of \(S\) to be an operator follows. We also give a description, equivalent to a recent result of \textit{M. G. Kreĭn} and \textit{I. E. Ovcharenko} [Dopov. Akad. Nauk Ukr. RSR, Ser. A 1976, 881--884 (1976; Zbl 0334.47019)] of all generalized self-adjoint contraction resolvents of a symmetric non-densely defined contraction \(T\). Moreover generalized resolvents of \(T\) corresponding to minimal self-adjoint extensions with spectra in an interval \([\alpha,\beta]\), \(-\infty\leq \alpha\leq -1\), \(1\leq \beta\leq \infty\) are considered. As an application we prove some results about nonnegative linear relations, which completely correspond to results of \textit{E. A. Coddington} [``Extension theory of formally normal and symmetric subspaces'', Mem. Am. Math. Soc. 134, 80 p. (1973; Zbl 0265.47023)].