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Spectral theorem for unbounded self-adjoint operators (PVM form)

Statement

Assume the Axiom of Choice. Let T be a self-adjoint operator on the nonzero complex Hilbert space H. Then there is a unique regular projection valued measure E on the Borel σ-algebra of R such that

D(T)={xH:Rλ2dEx(λ)<},Tx=RλdE(λ)x(xD(T)).

Conversely, if E is a regular projection valued measure on R, then the operator λdE with that domain is self-adjoint and its spectral projection valued measure is E again.

Facts & Assumptions

[A1]

For a Borel function f the integral f(E) of Integral of a measurable function against a projection-valued measure has domain {x:f2dEx<}, is closed, satisfies (f(E))=f(E) and f(E)x2=f2dEx, and is self-adjoint for real f (The unbounded PVM integral is densely defined, closed and normal).

[A2]

Every bounded normal operator C has a unique regular spectral PVM F with C=zdF; the support of F is σ(C), and F is unique among regular PVMs representing C on a compact set (Spectral theorem for bounded normal operators pvm form, Support and uniqueness of the spectral measure).

[A3]

CT=(Ti)(T+i)1 is unitary with ker(ICT)={0}, ran(ICT)=D(T), and T=i(I+CT)(ICT)1 on D(T) (Cayley transform of a self-adjoint operator, Cayley correspondence between self-adjoint operators and unitaries).

[A4]

For a unitary C one has σ(C)S1={z:z=1}: z>C forces zρ(C) by the Neumann series, so σ(C) lies in the closed unit disk, and 0σ(C) with zσ(C) equivalent to z1σ(C1) (Neumann series, Spectrum and resolvent of a bounded operator).

[A5]

For bounded Borel h on S1 the identity hdF=ΦF(h) holds. If a PVM F on S1 satisfies F({1})=0 and ψ:RS1{1} is a Borel isomorphism, then E(B):=F(ψ(B)) defines a PVM on R with (hψ)dE=hdF; regularity is preserved by this transport (Bounded borel pvm integral, Projection valued measure, Regular Borel measure on an LCH space).

Proof

technique · direct

Given: A self-adjoint operator T on H and C:=CT.

1.1

By [A3] the operator C is unitary with ker(IC)={0}, and by [A4] its spectrum lies in S1. Let F0 be the regular spectral PVM of C on σ(C) supplied by [A2], and extend it to S1 by F(B):=F0(Bσ(C)) for Borel BS1. Then F is a regular PVM on S1, is carried by σ(C), and C=S1zdF(z).

A2A3A4
1.2

F({1})=0: for a bounded normal operator the spectral projection at a point λ is the orthogonal projection onto ker(Cλ). Indeed, if F({λ})x=x, then Fx is carried by {λ}, so the bounded calculus gives (Cλ)x2=S1zλ2dFx(z)=0. Conversely, if Cx=λx, the same identity shows that Fx is carried by {λ}; hence (IF({λ}))x2=Fx(S1{λ})=0 and F({λ})x=x. Thus ranF({λ})=ker(Cλ); with λ=1 this kernel is {0} by [A3], so the projection F({1}) is zero.

A2A3A5step 1.1
2.1

Let ψ(λ)=(λi)(λ+i)1. Then ψ is a homeomorphism of R onto S1{1}, and E(B):=F(ψ(B)) is a PVM on the Borel sets of R with E(R)=F(S1{1})=IF({1})=I; it is regular because F is and ψ is a homeomorphism, and C=zdF=ψ(λ)dE(λ).

A5step 1.2
3.1

Let A be the self-adjoint operator λdE with domain D(A)={x:λ2dEx<}, given by [A1]; write h(λ)=(λ+i)1, a bounded Borel function. Then 1C=(1ψ)dE=2ihdE=2ih(E), and (A+i)h(E)=I because (λ+i)h(λ)=1 and Ah(E)=(λh)(E) on the natural domain; hence h(E)=(A+i)1 and (A+i)(1C)=2iI, so A+i=2i(1C)1 on ran(1C)=D(A).

A1A3A5step 2.1
4.1

Using step 3.1 in the formula T=i(I+C)(IC)1 of [A3] gives T=(1/2)(I+C)(A+i); now I+C=(1+ψ)dE=2λh(λ)dE=2λh(λ)(E), so T=(λh)(E)(A+i)=(λ2h)(E)+i(λh)(E)=(λ)(E)=A on D(A), because λ2h+iλh=λh(λ+i)=λ.

A1A3step 3.1
4.2

Uniqueness: let E be a regular PVM on R with D(T)={x:λ2dEx<} and Tx=λdEx for xD(T), and put F(B):=E(ψ1(B{1})) for Borel BS1. Then F is a regular PVM on S1, F({1})=0, and zdF=ψdE=I2ih(E)=I2i(T+i)1=C, where (T+i)1=h(E) is proved as in step 3.1 with E in place of E. By the uniqueness clause of [A2] applied to the bounded normal operator C, F is carried by σ(C) and agrees there with F0, hence F=F on S1. Therefore E(B)=F(ψ(B))=F(ψ(B))=E(B).

A2A5step 2.1step 3.1
5.1

Conversely, if E is a regular PVM on R, then A=λdE is self-adjoint by [A1] and E represents A; by step 4.2 the representing PVM is unique, so E is the spectral PVM of A.

A1step 4.2

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