All Questions
978 questions
14
votes
4
answers
550
views
About the existence of characters on $B(X)$
Let $X$ be a Banach space. Let $B(X)$ be the space of all bounded linear operators on $X$. Does $B(X)$ have an empty character space for any $X$?
I know the proof of the fact that $M_n(\mathbb{C})$ ...
- 355
14
votes
0
answers
633
views
Classes of (non-continuous) functions with the fixed point property
Let $K$ be a convex body in $ R^d$. (Say, a ball, say a cube...) For which classes $ \cal C$ of functions, every function $ f \in {\cal C}$ which takes $K$ into itself admits a fixed point in $K$.
...
- 24.7k
14
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Is every continuous microlocal operator a pseudo-differential operator?
Let $\mathcal S'=\mathcal S'(\mathbb R^n)$ be the Schwartz distribution space.
Suppose $A\colon\mathcal S'\to\mathcal S'$ is linear, continuous and microlocal.
By being microlocal I mean that the wave ...
- 8,086
14
votes
0
answers
860
views
strong topologies on $C_c^\infty$
UPDATE (27/08/2020): I realized after a comment from Jochen Wengenroth that there was at least one false premise behind my question, owing to the fact that analysts sometimes use the words "...
- 486
13
votes
6
answers
2k
views
Interesting examples of non-locally compact topological groups
Harmonic analysis is concentrated mostly on studying locally compact groups. I would like to ask people about examples of non-locally compact topological groups that are interesting in connection with ...
13
votes
1
answer
675
views
Wavelet-like Schauder basis for standard spaces of test functions?
Edit: A more precise formulation of my question follows the separation line.
The Schwartz space of test functions $\mathcal{S}(\mathbb{R})$ is isomorphic to $\mathfrak{s}$ the space of sequences of ...
13
votes
1
answer
736
views
Idempotent measures on the free binary system?
Let $(S,*)$ be the free (non associative) binary system on one generator (so $S$ is just the set of terms in $*$ and $1$). There is an extension of $*$ to the space $P(S)$ of finitely additive ...
- 3,547
13
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Homotopy groups of Fredholm operators
If $X$ is separable complex Hilbert space and $\mathcal{F}$ the topological space of Fredholm operators on $X$, then it is well-known, that
$$ \pi_0(\mathcal{F}) = \mathbb{Z}\, , $$
i.e. the connected ...
- 173
13
votes
1
answer
461
views
Hopf algebras vs. Kac algebras
I recently came across Kac algebra. They are roughly Hopf algebras and $C^*$-algebras with compatible structures. It follows from Artin–Wedderburn theorem that every semisimple complex Hopf algebra ...
- 370
13
votes
1
answer
452
views
Factor states on C*-algebras
Which C$^*$-algebras admit factor states for which the von Neumann algebra it generates in the corresponding GNS representation is a type III$_1$ factor? For example, do all purely infinite algebras ...
- 771
13
votes
4
answers
5k
views
What is known about the Gaussian measure of the unit ball in a Hilbert Space?
Let $X$ be an infinite dimensional separable Hilbert Space with norm $||\cdot||$ and let $\mu$ be a Gaussian measure on $X$ such that $\mu(X) = 1$. What do we know about $\mu(B(0,1))$, where $B(0,1)$ ...
- 617
13
votes
1
answer
724
views
Trace-class operator satisfies $\sum |\lambda_n|<\infty$?
Here's an "exercise" which I thought should be easy, but which I find myself unable to do.
Let $V$ be a Banach space.
Recall that an operator $f:V\to V$ is trace-class if it is in the image of the ...
- 43.2k
13
votes
1
answer
1k
views
A generalization of the Powers-Stormer inequality
The well-known Powers-Stormer inequality says the following: for positive semidefinite operators $A, B$, we have that $\mathrm{Tr}((A - B)(A - B)) \leq \| A^2 - B^2 \|_1$, where $\| \cdot \|_1$ ...
- 2,019
13
votes
1
answer
347
views
Existence of a translation-invariant basis of $\ell^2$
This question is heavily inspired by this other one, but is meant to be a hopefully more accessible variant of it (and I think slightly more natural).
I give four equivalent formulations of the same ...
- 32.5k
13
votes
1
answer
807
views
Inner and extendible automorphisms of C*-algebras
If an automorphism $\alpha$ of a C*-algebra $A$ is inner then whenever $A$ is a subalgebra of another C*-algebra $B$, $\alpha$ obviously extends to $B$.
Is the converse true: if an automorphism $\...
- 1,786
13
votes
2
answers
776
views
Properties of orthogonality-preserving c.p. maps between $C^*$-algebras
Suppose that $A,C$ are $C^*$-algebras and $\phi:A \to C$ is a completely positive, orthogonality-preserving linear map.
(Orthogonality preserving means: if $a,b \in A$ satisfy $ab=0$ then $\phi(a)\phi(...
- 1,786
13
votes
1
answer
1k
views
An inequality for the spectral radius of matrices used by J. Bochi
I am interested in the history of an inequality for the spectral radius of a $d\times d$ real or complex matrix, which occurs in Jairo Bochi's 2002 article Inequalities for numerical invariants of ...
- 6,206
13
votes
1
answer
911
views
Are $L^\infty(\Bbb R)$ and $L^2(\Bbb R)$ homeomorphic?
It's easy to see that, for $1\le p,q< \infty$ the spaces $L^p(\Bbb R)$ and $L^q(\Bbb R)$ of $p$-th and $q$-th power integrable functions on the real line are homeomorphic as topological spaces. In ...
- 3,017
13
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Between compact and locally uniform: What is the name of this convergence?
Let $X$ be a topological space, $(Y,d)$ a metric space, $f\in Y^X$, and $(f_n)$ a sequence in $Y^X$ with the following property:
For every $x_0\in X$ and every $\varepsilon>0$, there exist a ...
- 802
12
votes
1
answer
608
views
Almost idempotent approximate units in C*-algebras
As in Blackadar's "Operator Algebras" Definition II.4.1.1., call an approximate unit $(a_\lambda)$ in the positive unit ball of a C*-algebra almost idempotent if $a_\lambda a_\gamma=a_\lambda$ ...
- 1,307
13
votes
7
answers
10k
views
What is the best reference for Spectral theory?
I'm studying Bernard Aupetit: A Primer on Spectral Theory
but the textbook we are using is a little bit heavy going for me. Is there a best book to learn about these things?
Thank you.
- 823
12
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Relevance of the complex structure of a function algebra for capturing the topology on a space.
This question is the outcome of a few naive thoughts, without reading the proof of Gelfand-Neumark theorem.
Given a compact Hausdorff space $X$, the algebra of complex continuous functions on it is ...
- 3,699
12
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Making sense of "every non-commutative algebra has its own internal time evolution (aka a one-parameter group)"?
I've listened to many interviews and lectures of Alain Connes, in which he says something which goes roughly as follows
"Every non-commutative algebra has its own time (evolution of), by which I ...
- 6,853
12
votes
1
answer
885
views
bornological vector spaces over a non-archimedean field
Let $k$ be a complete non-archimedean field. In definitions I have seen of bornological vector spaces over $k$ there are usually some extra assumptions on the non-archimedean field. For instance in '...
- 1,180
12
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Reference on Minty's trick
I am searching for a precise reference for the following result:
Consider $f:\mathbb{R}_+\rightarrow\mathbb{R}_+$ a nondecreasing function.
Assume that a sequence of nonnegative functions $(u_n)_n$ ...
- 3,425
12
votes
1
answer
864
views
Trace Class Functions on locally compact groups
Let $G$ be a locally compact subgroup, $\mu$ a Haar-measure.
For $f \in L^1(G)$, and for $\pi$ a unitary, topology irreducible, representation of $G$ on
an Hilbert space $H_\pi$, it is customary to ...
- 26k
12
votes
3
answers
870
views
Measure theory in nuclear spaces
Much of the literature on measure theory in linear spaces focuses on the case of normed linear spaces (e.g., the outstanding book by Vakhania, or its sequel). However, nuclear linear spaces "as far ...
- 8,512
12
votes
1
answer
553
views
Topological amenability vs amenability of an action
Let $G$ be a discrete group and let $X$ be a compact, Hausdorff space.
Assume that $G$ acts on $X$ by homeomorphisms.
Consider the following two definitions:
[$C^*$-algebras and finite dimensional ...
- 121
12
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Smoothness of distance function to a compact set
Fix a non-empty compact subset $K\subseteq \mathbb{R}^n$ and let $d_K(x):=\min_{z \in K} \,\|z-x\|$ be the map sending any $x\in \mathbb{R}^n$ to its distance from $K$.
Suppose that:
$K$ is regular : ...
- 5,405
12
votes
0
answers
285
views
Is there a non-Kac complex finite dimensional semisimple Hopf algebra?
A complex (finite-dimensional) Hopf algebra is said to be a
Kac algebra if it is a ${\rm C^{\star}}$-algebra in such a way that the comultiplication $\Delta$ is a $\star$-homomorphism. Obviously, a (...
12
votes
2
answers
1k
views
A variation of the Ryll-Nardzewski fixed point theorem
Is there a fixed-point theorem that implies the following result?
Let $F$ be a nonempty convex set of functions on a discrete group with values in $[0,1]$. Suppose $F$ is invariant with respect to ...
- 45k
12
votes
2
answers
878
views
The ground state is signed and symmetric
Background
In Berestycki and Lions it is asserted that (on page 316), if I am not misreading, that the "ground state", i.e. action minimizer among nontrivial solutions, corresponding to the action
$$...
- 39k
12
votes
1
answer
927
views
On an Inequality of Lars Hörmander
Let $P(z)$ be a non-null complex polynomial in $\nu$ variables $z=(z_1,\dots,z_n)$ of degree $\mu$:
\begin{equation}
P(z)=\sum_{|\alpha| \leq \mu} c_{\alpha} z^{\alpha},
\end{equation}
where as usual ...
- 640
12
votes
1
answer
735
views
Parametrisations for null temperature functions: nonuniqueness of solutions to the heat equation
Disclaimer. I expect this is a highly open problem, but maybe I'm wrong and someone has come up with some answers besides those given here. In any case, all information appreciated, thanks!
Definition....
- 1,990
12
votes
1
answer
901
views
Is there a proof that the $C^{*}$-algebras don't see the invariant subspace problem?
This post is an appendix of this one.
Let $H$ be an infinite dimensional separable Hilbert space and $B(H)$ the algebra of bounded operators.
Invariant subspace problem: Let $T \in B(H)$. Is ...
12
votes
1
answer
908
views
Equivalence of σ-convex hull and closed convex hull
Let $X$ be a locally convex topological space, and let $K \subset X$ be a compact set. Recalling that the standard convex hull is defined as
$$\text{co}(K) = \Big\{ \sum_{i=1}^n a_i x_i : a_i \geq 0,\,...
- 123
12
votes
0
answers
284
views
Star-shaped Folner sequence
Fix a (finite) generating set $S$ for $\Gamma$ (discrete) amenable. Given a Følner sequence (i.e. a sequence of finite sets $F_n$ whose boundary $\partial F_n$ in the Cayley graph of $S$ is such that $...
- 4,432
12
votes
1
answer
1k
views
applications of C$^*$-algebras in the field of PDEs
I know only a little bit about C$^*$-algebras and I want a to know if you know a nice apllication or the influence of them in the field of partial differential equations (it is better that it is ...
12
votes
0
answers
373
views
Does Thompson's group $V$ have property AP?
Property AP: A discrete group $\Gamma$ has property AP (Approximation Property) if there exists a net $(\phi_i)_{i \in I}$ of finitely supported functions on $\Gamma$ such that $\phi_i \to 1 $ weak$^*$...
12
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Low-degree polynomial approximation of the piecewise-linear function $x \mapsto \max(x, 0)$ on an interval $x \in [-R,R]$
For $R > 0$, consider the piecewise-linear function $\sigma_R: [-R,R] \rightarrow \mathbb R^+$, defined by $\sigma_R(x) := \max(x,0)$.
Question
Given $\epsilon> 0$, find a "low-degree" ...
- 6,853
11
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Schur's Lemma for Hilbert spaces
Let $H$ be a complex Hilbert space and let a group $G$ act on $H$ such that there are no invariant closed subspaces besides $H$ and $(0)$. Let $D$ be the ring of bounded operators which commute with ...
- 156k
11
votes
1
answer
229
views
The set of boundary vectors of compact convex body has empty interior
Let $K$ be a compact convex body in the Euclidean space $\mathbb R^n$ and $\partial K$ be its topological boundary in $\mathbb R^n$.
Definition. A vector $\mathbf v\in\mathbb R^n$ is called $K$-...
- 41.9k
11
votes
2
answers
712
views
Poincaré lemma for distributions
Let us consider a current on $\mathbb R^n$, that is a differential form whose coefficients are distributions. For simplicity, let us check the case of a $1$-form
$$
u=\sum_{1\le j\le n} u_j dx_j,\quad ...
- 16.2k
11
votes
1
answer
668
views
Is every continuous endomorphism of the Schwartz space a pseudo-differential operator?
Let $\mathcal{S}:= \mathcal{S}(\mathbb{R}^n)$ be the Schwartz space of smooth functions with rapid decay. The question is pretty simply stated in the title. Pseudo-differential act continuously on the ...
- 7,789
11
votes
1
answer
451
views
Comparison of the absolute value of an operator with its positive parts
It is well known that the absolute value on operators does not satisfy the triangle inequality.
My question is whether for all positive operators $P,Q \in B(\mathcal H)$ is there a universal ...
- 3,984
11
votes
1
answer
676
views
Entropy arguments used by Jean Bourgain
My question comes from understanding a probabilistic inequality in Bourgain's paper on Erdős simiarilty problem: Construction of sets of positive measure not containing an affine image of a given ...
- 196
11
votes
3
answers
445
views
Does the generator of a 1-parameter group of Banach space isometries know which elements are entire?
Let $X$ be a complex Banach space. Let $(\sigma_t)_{t \in \mathbb{R}}$ be a 1-parameter group of linear isometries of $X$ which is strongly continuous i.e. $t \mapsto \sigma_t(x)$ is continuous for ...
- 662
11
votes
2
answers
932
views
A group action of the Heisenberg group with special symmetries
Suppose we look at the Heisenberg group $H_{d}$ as a matrix group of upper triangular matrices over the ring $\mathbb{Z}/d\mathbb{Z}$. You can even choose $d$ to be prime if you want. A natural ...
11
votes
2
answers
506
views
Minimization problem for convolution
Let $g(x)$ be a non-negative function supported on $[0,1]$. Let $g \ast g$ denote the convolution of $g$ with itself. Question: What is the smallest possible $L^1(0,1)$ norm of $g$, if I require that $...
- 2,207
11
votes
1
answer
336
views
Notions in the literature capturing the "symmetric" or "homogeneous" flavour of $L_p$?
This post/question is admittedly vague, but I hope that with some feedback in comments it could be made more precise.
For $E$ a Banach space, $K(E)$ and $B(E)$ will denote the Banach algebras of ...
- 25.8k