Weak convergence of orthonormal sequences in Hilbert space

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the weak convergence of orthonormal sequences in Hilbert spaces, specifically exploring the relationship between the Bessel inequality and weak convergence to zero. Participants are examining the proof and understanding of this property, with a focus on the implications of the Bessel inequality.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asserts that orthonormal sequences in Hilbert spaces converge weakly to zero, referencing the Bessel inequality as foundational to this understanding.
  • Another participant seeks clarification on whether the convergence of the series implies that the individual terms approach zero, indicating a potential misunderstanding of the implications of the Bessel inequality.
  • A participant expresses confusion about how the Bessel inequality leads to the conclusion that the inner product with any vector approaches zero, indicating a need for further explanation.
  • One participant acknowledges a realization about the connection between the convergence of the series and the weak convergence of the sequence.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants are engaged in clarifying the proof and implications of weak convergence, with some understanding the connection while others express confusion. There is no consensus on the clarity of the proof or the reasoning behind the weak convergence.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully resolved the steps leading from the Bessel inequality to the conclusion of weak convergence, indicating potential gaps in understanding or assumptions that have not been explicitly stated.

kisengue
Messages
12
Reaction score
0
So, I've found the result that orthonormal sequences in Hilbert spaces always converge weakly to zero. I've only found wikipedia's "small proof" of this statement, though I have found the statement itself in many places, textbooks and such.

I've come to understand that this property follows from the Bessel inequality, and I've worked out many of the details, so I feel that I understand the Bessel inequality itself quite well. What I don't get is how the inequality gives us the weak convergence - the proof on wikipedia only states that "Therefore, [tex]|\langle e_n, x \rangle |^2 \rightarrow 0[/tex]" after stating the Bessel inequality. It doesn't make sense to me - how is this information gleaned?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Can you at least link to the Wikipedia page? Are you asking how to see that ##|\langle e_n, x \rangle |^2 \rightarrow 0##, or how to see that this means that ##e_n\to 0## with respect to the weak topology?
 
You do know that if the series

[tex]\sum_{n=0}^{+\infty}{a_n}[/tex]

converges, that [itex]a_n\rightarrow 0[/itex]??
 
The proof (sorry for not linking it immediately). Fredrik, I'm asking the first of those two - the second I understand.

Micromass: I didn't think of that... but of course. Of course. Damn it. Now I get it, I think.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
719
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
5K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
5K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K