If \(A\) is a symmetric operator, show that \(A^{*}\) is symmetric if and only if it is self-edjoint, \(A^{*}=A^{* *}\)

Short Answer

Expert verified
Given a symmetric operator \(A\), its adjoint can be said to be symmetric if and only if it's self-adjoint. This is proved by taking arbitrary vectors \(x, y\), applying the properties of symmetric and self-adjoint operators, and displaying that both resultant expressions can be equated due to the interchangeability of the inner product.

Step by step solution

01

- Define Given and Terms

A linear operator \(A\) on an inner product space is defined as symmetric if \(\langle Ax, y\rangle = \langle x, Ay\rangle\) for every vector \(x, y\). The adjoint of an operator \(A\), denoted as \(A^{*}\), is a unique operator such that \(\langle Ax, y\rangle = \langle x, A^{*}y\rangle\) for every vector \(x, y\). \(A^{*}\) is self-adjoint if and only if \(A^{*}=A^{* *}\).
02

- Prove Direction

Start by showing the direction that if \(A^{*}\) is symmetric, then it is self-adjoint. Here, let's take any vectors \(x, y\), then we can say \(\langle A^{*}x, y\rangle = \langle x, A^{*}y \rangle\). According to the definition of the adjoint operator, it can be rewritten as \(\langle x, A^{**}y \rangle\). Hence, proving that \(A^{*}\) is self-adjoint i.e., \(A^{*}=A^{**}\).
03

- Prove the Reverse Direction

Now, assume that the adjoint operator \(A^{*}\) is self-adjoint. Therefore, \(A^{*} = A^{* *}\). Then, \(\langle x, A^{*}y \rangle = \langle x, A^{**}y \rangle\) which according to the definition of the adjoint operator can be rewritten as \(\langle A^{*}x, y \rangle\). Hence proving that if \(A^{*}\) is self-adjoint, then it is symmetric.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Show that if \(\left(A, D_{A}\right)\) and \(\left(B, D_{B}\right)\) arc operators on dense domains in \(H\) then \(B^{*} A^{*} \subseteq\) \((A B)^{\circ}\)

Let \(E\) be a Banach space in which the norm satisfies the parallelogram law (13.2). Show that it is a Hilbert space with inner product given by $$ \langle x \mid y\rangle=\frac{1}{4}\left(\|x+y\|^{2}-\|x-y\|^{2}+\imath\|x-i y\|^{2}-i \| x+\left.1 y\right|^{2}\right) $$

Which of the following is a vector subspace of \(\ell^{2}\), and which are closed? In each case find the space of vectors orthogonal to the set. (a) \(V_{N}=\left\\{\left(x_{1}, x_{2} \ldots\right) \in \ell^{2} \mid x_{1}=0\right.\) for \(\left.i>N\right]\) (b) \(V=\bigcup_{N=1}^{\infty} V_{N}=\left|\left(x_{1}, x_{2}, \ldots\right) \in \ell^{2}\right| x_{t}=0\) for \(i>\) some \(\left.N\right]\). (c) \(U=\left|\left(x_{1}, x_{2}, \ldots\right) \in \ell^{2}\right| x_{1}=0\) for \(\left.t=2 n\right\\} .\) (d) \(W=\left\\{\left(x_{1}, x_{2}, \ldots\right) \in \ell^{2} \mid x_{1}=0\right.\) for some \(\left.i\right\\}\)

For every bounded operator \(A\) on a Hilbert space \(\mathcal{H}\) show that the exponential operator $$ \mathrm{e}^{A}=\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \frac{A^{n}}{n !} $$ is well-defined and bounded on \(\mathcal{H}\). Show that (a) \(e^{0}=1\) (b) For all posituve integers \(n,\left(c^{A}\right)^{n}=e^{n A}\). (c) \(\mathrm{e}^{A}\) is invertuble for all bounded operators \(A\) (even if \(A\) is not mivertible) and \(e^{-A}=\left(e^{4}\right)^{-1} .\) (d) If \(A\) and \(B\) are commuting operators then \(e^{A+B}=\mathrm{e}^{A} \mathrm{e}^{\theta}\) (c) If \(A\) is hermitian then \(e^{i A}\) is unitary.

If \(\left(A, D_{A}\right)\) is a densely defined openator and \(D_{A}\) is dense in \(\mathcal{H}_{1}\) show that \(A \subseteq A^{* *}\).

See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Combined Science Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free