On a theorem of Livsic (Q1939354)

The authors study simple, closed, symmetric and defined on a dense domain operators \(T\) with deficiency indices \((n,n)\). Following the 1946 paper of \textit{M. S. Livšic} [Dokl. Akad. Nauk SSSR, II. Ser. 58, 13--15 (1947; Zbl 0031.16701)], they define a characteristic function for such class of operators. An alternative proof of a theorem of Livšic which states that operators \(T_1\) and \(T_2\) from the class are unitarily equivalent if and only if their characteristic functions \(w(z,T_i)\), \(i=1,2\), are related by \(w(z,T_2)=Rw(z,T_2)Q\), where \(R,Q\) are unitary matrices, is suggested. The model representation of operators from the class as the multiplication operators in certain functional spaces with reproducing property is constructed. The authors compute characteristic functions for certain operators, such as the differentiation operator in \(L^2[-\pi,\pi]\), Sturm-Liouville operators, multiplication operators in de Branges-Rovnyak spaces. The authors examine the model in Herglotz spaces and provide precise formulae for the characteristic functions.