Operators on anti-dual pairs: Means of positive operators

Abstract

We develop a theory of Kubo-Ando type means for positive operators on anti-dual pairs. This framework extends the classical theory of operator means beyond bounded Hilbert space operators and provides a common setting for several concrete classes of positive objects, including nonnegative sesquilinear forms and states on $C^{\ast }$-algebras. We also introduce a Busch-Gudder type strength function for positive operators on anti-dual pairs and investigate its interaction with operator means. Applications are given to Hilbert space operators, nonnegative forms, and representable positive functionals.

30 pages