Closable Operator

Definition

A closable operator is a type of linear operator that can be extended to a closed operator on a Hilbert space or a Banach space. This means that there exists a closed extension of the operator, which allows for the preservation of certain properties such as continuity and boundedness. Understanding closable operators is important in operator theory as they relate to the broader concepts of closed operators, densely defined operators, and the extensions of linear maps.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. A closable operator allows for the existence of at least one closed extension, which makes it significant when studying linear transformations.
2. The closure of a closable operator can be obtained by taking limits of sequences in its domain, provided they converge appropriately.
3. If an operator is closable, then its closure will retain many of the essential properties from the original operator, such as being densely defined.
4. Closable operators are particularly relevant in quantum mechanics and functional analysis, where understanding the behavior of operators can lead to deeper insights into physical systems.
5. Not all operators are closable; for example, unbounded operators may fail to be closable if they don't meet specific criteria related to their domains.

Review Questions

• How does the concept of a closable operator relate to closed operators and what implications does this have for their use in functional analysis?
  • A closable operator can be extended to a closed operator, meaning that if you have a closable operator, you can find a corresponding closed operator that preserves important properties. This relationship is crucial in functional analysis because it helps us understand how various types of operators interact with each other and ensures that we can extend certain linear maps without losing continuity or boundedness. This understanding allows for more flexible mathematical modeling and problem-solving within the field.
• What are some necessary conditions for an operator to be considered closable, and how do these conditions affect its graph?
  • For an operator to be considered closable, it must be densely defined and satisfy certain convergence criteria for sequences within its graph. Specifically, if a sequence converges in the codomain while remaining in the domain, then this indicates that the limits must also exist within the codomain. These conditions ensure that when we consider extensions of the operator, we can maintain a well-defined structure for its graph, which reflects consistent behavior under limits.
• Evaluate the significance of closable operators in relation to unbounded operators and their applications in quantum mechanics.
  • Closable operators play a vital role in distinguishing between manageable mathematical models and those that may lead to ambiguities, especially when dealing with unbounded operators common in quantum mechanics. Their ability to be extended to closed operators ensures that we can handle issues related to domain and limit behaviors effectively. In practical terms, this means that physicists can use closable operators to construct reliable observables while avoiding pitfalls associated with non-closable unbounded operators, thus ensuring accurate predictions within quantum systems.

Related terms

Closed Operator: An operator is called closed if its graph is a closed set in the product space of the domain and codomain.

Densely Defined Operator: An operator is densely defined if its domain is dense in the Hilbert or Banach space, meaning that every element in the space can be approximated by elements from the domain.

Graph of an Operator: The graph of an operator is the set of all pairs (x, Tx) where x is in the domain of the operator and Tx is the corresponding output in the codomain.