\(T^*T\) always has a positive selfadjoint extension (Q1928060)

Let \(T\) be a (linear) densely defined operator between Hilbert spaces. Then, according to a well-known result of \textit{J. von Neumann} [Ann. Math. (2) 33, 294--310 (1932; Zbl 0004.21603; JFM 58.0423.02)], \(T^{*}T\) is selfadjoint under the additional assumption that \(T\) is closed. The authors of the paper under review prove, without this additional assumption, that \(T^{*}T\) has a positive selfadjoint extension, construct the Krein-von Neumann extension, the smallest among all positive selfadjoint extensions of \(T^{*}T\) , and characterize those operators \(T\), for which the Krein-von Neumann extension is bounded. Under the assumption that \(\operatorname{dom} T^{*}T\) is dense, the Friedrichs extension of \(T^{*}T\), the largest among all positive selfadjoint extensions of \(T^{*}T\), is constructed, independently of the results of some previous papers (cf., for instance, \textit{V. Prokaj} and the first author [Acta Sci. Math. 62, No. 1--2, 243--246 (1996; Zbl 0863.47010); Acta Sci. Math. 62, No. 3--4, 485--491 (1996; Zbl 0881.47002)]). A condition for selfadjointness of \(T^{*}T\) is given. It is proved that, if \(A\) is a densely defined positive operator, then there is a densely defined closable operator \(T\) such that \(A=T^{*}T\) and \(T^{*}T^{**}\) is the Friedrichs extension of \(A\).