A canonical decomposition for linear operators and linear relations (Q2460656)

The main result of this paper shows that every linear relation \(T\) from a Hilbert space \(H\) into a Hilbert space \(K\) can be written as the sum of a closable operator and a singular relation, whose closure is the cartesian product of closed subspaces. This decomposition improves results due to \textit{P.\,E.\,T.\thinspace Jørgensen} [J.~Funct.\ Anal.\ 39, 281--307 (1980; Zbl 0458.47034)] and \textit{S.\,Ôta} [Z.\ Anal.\ Anwend.\ 7, No.\,1, 15--18 (1988; Zbl 0657.47001)]. The regular and singular parts of the relation \(T\) are metrically determined using the graph inner product. Another characterization in terms of Stone's characteristic projection is presented. It is also shown that the main decomposition result can be obtained as a consequence of a general characterization of the domain of the adjoint relation \(T^{*}\) of the relation \(T\) due to the first author.