THE STRUCTURE OF SUMMABLE SEQUENCES AND p-SUMMING OPERATORS (Q4511516)

A summable sequence \((a_n)\) in a Banach space \(X\) is said to be \(\ell_p\) canonical, \(1\leq p<\infty\), if \(a_n= v(\alpha_n e_n)\), \(n\in\mathbb{N}^*\), where \((\alpha_n)\in \ell_p\) and \(v\in \mathbb{L}(\ell_p, X)\). According to \textit{A. Dvoretzky} and \textit{C. A. Roger's} theorem [Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 36, 192-197 (1950; Zbl 0036.36303)] it is clear that in an infinite-dimensional Banach space not every summable sequence can be \(\ell_p\)-canonical if \(1\leq p< 2\). The authors prove that the situation is different if \(2\leq p<\infty\). The following general criterion is established: A summable sequence \((a_n)\) in a Banach space \(X\) is \(\ell_p\)-canonical, \(1\leq p<\infty\), if and only if the linear operator \(u:c_0\to X\) defined by \(ue_n= a_n\), \(n\in\mathbb{N}^*\), where \((e_n)\) is the natural basis of \(c_0\), is \(p\)-summing. Thus, if \(2\leq p<\infty\) in a Banach space \(X\) any summable sequence is \(\ell_p\)-canonical if and only if \(L(c_0, X)= \prod_p(c_0, x)\) (\(p\)-summing operators). Consequently, the special cases of spaces of cotype 2 and of spaces of cotype \(p\), \(2< p<\infty\), are investigated. Also, the Banach space of \(p\)-integrable functions is considered.