The pure-point subspace of a Hilbert space is closed

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the properties of the pure-point subspace of a Hilbert space, specifically whether this subspace is closed when considering a self-adjoint operator. Participants explore the definitions and implications of spectral measures and eigenvectors in this context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the assumption that the pure-point subspace \mathscr H_{\rm pp} is closed and seeks an explanation for this property.
  • Another participant expresses confusion about the notation used, specifically regarding the spectral measures \mu_\psi and their relation to the operator A.
  • A third participant provides a definition of the spectral measures, indicating they are defined for Borel sets using the spectral theorem.
  • A participant not specialized in the field suggests that the conditions of being a Hilbert space and having a self-adjoint operator might imply that \mathscr H_{\rm pp} is closed, proposing that exploring examples could clarify this point.
  • This same participant speculates on the nature of pure points and their relation to eigenvectors, suggesting that pure points are likely to generate eigenvectors while questioning the existence of other types of points that do not.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether the pure-point subspace is closed, and there are multiple viewpoints regarding the definitions and implications of spectral measures and eigenvectors.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights uncertainties regarding the definitions and properties of spectral measures and the closure of the pure-point subspace, with no clear resolution on these points.

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(All that follows assumes we are talking about a self-adjoint operator A on a Hilbert space \mathscr H.) The first volume of Reed-Simon defines

<br /> \mathscr H_{\rm pp} = \left\{ \psi \in \mathscr H: \mu_\psi \text{ is pure point} \right\}.<br />

The book seems to take for granted that \mathscr H_{\rm pp} is a closed subspace of \mathscr H, but this is not at all obvious to me. Can someone please explain why this is the case? Thanks in advance!

I suppose I'd also like to know the following: Is there anything in \mathscr H_{\rm pp} that is not an eigenvector for A?
 
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I'm having a little trouble with understanding your notation, which I presume is standard, but I am not familiar with it. What are the \mu_\Phi ? Are they functions such that A\Phi = \mu\Phi?

I know this isn't an answer, but I'm just learning Latex and need the previews in order to write a comprehensible comment.
 
brmath said:
I'm having a little trouble with understanding your notation, which I presume is standard, but I am not familiar with it. What are the \mu_\Phi ? Are they functions such that A\Phi = \mu\Phi?

I know this isn't an answer, but I'm just learning Latex and need the previews in order to write a comprehensible comment.

The \mu_\psi are the spectral measures, defined for Borel sets B (using the spectral theorem) as follows:

<br /> \mu_\psi(B) = (\psi, \mathcal X_B(A) \psi)<br />
 
This is not my field, but I've been enjoying reading about it. However, I won't catch up to you any time soon. Still, might I throw out some general suggestions? Re the closure, you have the condition that H is a Hilbert space, that A is self-adjoint, and that you are looking only at pure points. Taken together , and possibly given just one of these, they have to imply H_{pp} is closed. Could you try constructing something on say [text]L_1which does not get you a closed set? Or similarly try it with an A that is not self-adjoint. Or maybe you can find a very simple specific case in which anyone could see it is closed and that might throw some light on it. Re the eigenvector question, it seems to me that the pure points are the simplest, and pretty much defined to generate eigenvectors, whereas the other kinds of points do not seem as if they would, at least not ordinary eigenvectors. Yet surely there has to be at least one eigenvector?<br /> <br /> Thanks for introducing me to this. I never did spectral analysis on a non-finite space.
 

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