A commutant lifting theorem for triangular matrices with diverse applications (Q2266422)

This paper is concerned with contractive representations of the algebra of \(n\times n\) upper triangular matrices into the algebra of linear operators on a finite dimensional Hilbert space. A canonical model for such a representation is obtained which is analogous to the Sz-Nagy- Foiaş model for a Hilbert space contraction operator; the analogy is even stronger if one views the Sz-Nagy-Foiaş theory as really being about contractive operator representations of the disk algebra. Also obtained are block Cholesky and QR-factorization (analogous to spectral and inner-outer factorization for functions) and a lifting theorem analogous to the Sarason-Sz-Nagy-Foiaş lifting theorem for representations of the disk algebra. The proof of the lifting theorem, following one of Ball and Helton for the disk algebra setting, actually produces for the generic case of a linear fractional map which parametrizes all solutions of the lifting problem. The applications to matrix interpolation and completion problems also parallel known applications of the Sarason-Sz-Nagy-Foiaş lifting theorem.