# Symmetric operator

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A linear mapping $A$ of a set $D_A$ in a Hilbert space $H$ (in general, complex) into $H$ such that $\langle Ax,y\rangle =\langle x,yA\rangle$ for all $x,y\in D_A$. If $D_A$ is an everywhere-dense linear manifold in $H$ (and this is assumed in what follows), then $A$ is a linear operator. If $D_A=H$, then $A$ is bounded and hence continuous on $H$. A symmetric operator $A$ induces a bilinear Hermitian form $B(x,y)=\langle Ax,y\rangle$ on $D_A$, that is, $B(x,y)=\overline{B(x,y)}$. The corresponding quadratic form $\langle Ax,x\rangle$ is real. Conversely, if the form $\langle Ax,x\rangle$ on $D_A$ is real, then $A$ is symmetric. The sum $A+B$ of two symmetric operators $A$ and $B$ with a common domain of definition $D_A=D_B$ is again a symmetric operator, while if $\lambda$ is a real number, then $\lambda A$ is also symmetric. Every symmetric operator $A$ has a uniquely defined closure $\overline{A}$ and an adjoint $A^* \supset\overline{A}$. In general, $A^*$ is not symmetric and $A^*\neq\overline{A}$. If $A^*=A$, then $A$ is called a self-adjoint operator. This holds, for example, in the case of symmetric operators defined on the whole of $H$. If $A$ is symmetric and bounded on $D_A$, then $A$ can be extended as a bounded symmetric operator to the whole of $H$.

## Contents

### Examples

1. Let $\|a_{ij}\|$, $i,j=1,2,\ldots$, be an infinite matrix such that $a_{ij}=\overline{a}_{ji}$, and $$\sum_{i,j=1}^{\infty}|a_{ij}|^2<\infty .$$ Then the system of equations $$\eta_i=\sum_{j=1}^{\infty}a_{ij}\xi_j,\quad i=1,2,\ldots,$$ defining $y=\{\eta_i\}$ for an $x=\{\xi_i\}\in l_2$, defines a bounded symmetric operator, which turns out to be self-adjoint on the complex space $l_2$.
2. In the complex space $L_2(0,1)$, let $A=id/dt$ be defined on the set $D_A$ of absolutely-continuous functions $x$ on $[0,1]$ having a square-summable derivative and satisfying the condition $x(0)=x(1)=0$. Then $A$ is symmetric but not self-adjoint.

### References

 [1] L.A. [L.A. Lyusternik] Liusternik, "Elements of functional analysis" , F. Ungar (1961) (Translated from Russian) [2] F. Riesz, B. Szökevalfi-Nagy, "Leçons d'analyse fonctionelle" , Akad. Kiado (1955)

### Comments

An important problem is to find a self-adjoint extension of a symmetric operator. This problem has different versions, depending on whether one looks for an extension in the original or in a larger space. A complete theory of this topic exists.

### References

 [a1] N.I. Akhiezer, I.M. Glazman, "Theory of linear operators in Hilbert space" , 1–2 , Pitman (1980) (Translated from Russian)
How to Cite This Entry:
Symmetric operator. Encyclopedia of Mathematics. URL: http://www.encyclopediaofmath.org/index.php?title=Symmetric_operator&oldid=38661
This article was adapted from an original article by V.I. Sobolev (originator), which appeared in Encyclopedia of Mathematics - ISBN 1402006098. See original article