Towards generalized Riesz systems theory (Q2302342)

A sequence \(\{\phi_n\}_{n\in\mathbb N}\) of vectors in a Hilbert space \(H\) is called a \textit{generalized Riesz system} (GRS) if there exists an orthonormal basis \(\{e_n\}_{n\in\mathbb N}\) and a selfadjoint operator \(Q\) such that \(e_n\in \mathcal D(e^{Q/2})\cap \mathcal D(e^{-Q/2})\) and \(\phi_n=e^{Q/2}e_n\) for every \(n\in\mathbb N\). Such sequences appear, for example, in the context of nonselfadjoint Hamiltonians. Note that, in contrast to a Riesz system, the operator \(Q\) need not be bounded. The aim of the paper is to characterize generalized Riesz systems. The main tool is the extension theory for symmetric, not necessarily densely defined, linear operators, since every generalized Riesz system \(\{\phi_n\}_{n\in\mathbb N}\) defines a symmetric linear operator \(S:\mathrm{span}\{\phi_n: n\in\mathbb N\} \to H,\ S(\phi_n) = \psi_n:= {\mathrm e}^{-Q} \phi_n\). Note that \(\{\psi_n\}_{n\in\mathbb N}\) is bi-orthogonal to \(\{\phi_n\}_{n\in\mathbb N}\). A system \(\{\phi_n\}_{n\in\mathbb N}\) is called \textit{semi-regular} if it is minimal and complete in \(H\); it is called \textit{regular} if, in addition, its bi-orthogonal sequence \(\{\psi_n\}_{n\in\mathbb N}\) is complete. It is shown that a semi-regular system \(\{ \phi_n\}_{n\in\mathbb N}\) is a GRS if and only if the Friedrichs extension of \(S\) is a positive operator. Moreover, the operator \(Q\) and the sequence \(\{e_n\}_{n\in\mathbb N}\) in the definition of GRS are unique if and only if \(S\) has a unique positive extremal extension. The authors prove that a semi-regular system is a Bessel sequence if and only if it is a generalized Riesz system and the spectrum of the selfadjoint operator \(Q\) is bounded from above. This result is used to show that a complete \(J\)-orthogonal sequence is a Bessel sequence if and only if it is a Riesz basis. The paper concludes with many examples (a semi-regular sequence which is not a GRS, a semi-regular Bessel sequence, \(J\)-orthonormal sequences of first and second type).