Classes of operators similar to partial isometries (Q2380356)

For a class \(\mathcal{C}\) of operators on a Hilbert space \(H\), an operator \(T\in B(H)\) is said to be similar to an element of \(\mathcal{C}\) if there exists \(C\in \mathcal{C}\cap B(H)\) and an invertible operator \(A \in B(H)\) such that \(AT = CA\). The authors give some (necessary and) sufficient conditions on the range of an operator for the similarity to (adjoints of) quasinormal partial isometries or power partial isometries; see also \textit{P.\,Petitcunot} [Acta Sci.\ Math.\ 74, No.\,3--4, 643--667 (2008; Zbl 1197.47007)]. They show that an \(n\)-quasi-isometry is similar to a direct sum between an isometry and a nilpotent operator of order \(n\) if and only if \(R(T^n)\) is closed. In particular, if \(n = 2\), they establish that, under some conditions on the range, the Duggal and Aluthge transforms of a \(2\)-quasi-isometry are similar to a quasinormal partial isometry. They characterize the \(n\)-quasi-isometries which are partial isometries and completely describe the structure of such an operator if it is a power partial isometry, using the decompositions of Neumann-Wold [see \textit{C.\,S.\thinspace Kubrusly}, ``An introduction to models and decompositions in operator theory'' (Basel:\ Birkhäuser) (1997; Zbl 0918.47013)] and Halmos-Wallen [cf.\ \textit{P.\,R.\thinspace Halmos} and \textit{L.\,J.\thinspace Wallen}, J.~Math.\ Mech.\ 19, 657--663 (1970; Zbl 0202.42502)].