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Pavlos Motakis

Publications and source records attributed to Pavlos Motakis.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2026

Embedding $\ell_2$ and $J$ into subspaces of $JT$ and $JT^*$

In the first part of the paper we show that every closed subspace of $JT$ or $JT^*$ contains $\ell_2$ complemented in $JT$ or $JT^*$ respectively, and $JT$ contains uncomplemented copies of $\ell_2$. As a result, the predual $\B$ of $JT$, as well as the spaces $JT$ and $JT^*$, are subprojective and superprojective. In the second part, we prove that every weakly Cauchy sequence that is not weakly convergent in $JT$ has a subsequence equivalent to the basis of $J$. Hence, every non-reflexive subspace of $JT$ contains an isomorphic copy of $J$, and every Schauder basic sequence in $JT$ has a subsequence which is equivalent either to the basis of $\ell_2$ or to the basis of $J$. Moreover these subspaces may be selected to be complemented in $JT$.

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arXiv2025

On the uniform continuity of homeomorphisms between the spheres of $\ell_\infty^k$ and $\ell_1^k$

We consider the problem of whether there is a sequence of homeomorphisms $(F_k)_k$ between the unit spheres of the $k$-dimensional Banach spaces $\ell_\infty^k$ and $\ell_1^k$ which is also equi-uniformly continuous. We prove that this cannot be the case if the sequence $(F_k)_k$ either (1) does not increase support sizes (which is a property strictly weaker than support preservation) or (2) is step preserving (which is a property strictly weaker than being equivariant with respect to permutations of the canonical basis). We also provide quantitative estimates relating the moduli of uniform continuity of the maps to the dimension of the spaces. This gives partial answers to a question of W. B. Johnson and it is related to the problem of whether $c_0$ has Kasparov and Yu's Property (H). Our results also apply to more general spaces other than $\ell_1$ such as spaces with unconditional bases which are not equivalent to the standard $c_0$ basis. Finally, we derive an asymptotic concentration inequality that must be satisfied by step preserving equi-uniformly continuous maps defined on the positive parts of these unit spheres.

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arXiv2025

Coordinate systems and distributional embeddings in Bourgain-Rosenthal-Schechtman spaces: a framework for operator reduction

For every $1\leq \alpha<\omega_1$, we construct an explicit unconditional finite-dimensional decomposition (FDD) $(X_\lambda)_{\lambda\in\mathcal{T}_\alpha}$ of the Bourgain-Rosenthal-Schechtman space $R_\alpha^{p,0}$ by blocking its standard martingale difference sequence (MDS) basis. This FDD has strong reproducing properties and supports a theory of distributional representations between the spaces $R_\alpha^{p,0}$, $1\leq \alpha<\omega_1$. We use this framework to prove an approximate orthogonal reduction: every bounded linear operator on a limit space $R_\alpha^{p,0}$ is, via a distributional embedding and up to arbitrary precision, reduced to a scalar FDD-diagonal operator. As a consequence, the standard MDS bases of the limit spaces $R_\alpha^{p,0}$ satisfy the factorization property.

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arXiv2024

The HI extension of the standard HI spaces

A Hereditarily Indecomposable (HI) Banach space $X$ admits an HI extension if there exists an HI space $Z$ such that $X$ is isomorphic to a subspace $Y$ of $Z$ and $Z/Y$ is of infinite dimension. The problem whether or not every HI space admits an HI extension is attributed to A. Pelczynski. In this paper we present a method to define HI-extensions of the standard HI spaces, a class which includes the Gowers-Maurey space, asymptotic $\ell_{p}$-HI spaces and others.

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arXiv2024

$2$-rotund norms for unconditional and symmetric sequence spaces

A reflexive Banach space with an unconditional basis admits an equivalent $1$-unconditional $2R$ norm and embeds into a reflexive space with a $1$-symmetric $2R$ norm. Partial results on $1$-symmetric $2R$ renormings of spaces with a symmetric basis are obtained.

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arXiv2024

The compact operators on $c_0$ as a Calkin algebra

For a Banach space $X$, let $\mathcal{L}(X)$ denote the algebra of all bounded linear operators on $X$ and let $\mathcal{K}(X)$ denote the compact operator ideal in $\mathcal{L}(X)$. The quotient algebra $\mathcal{L}(X)/\mathcal{K}(X)$ is called the Calkin algebra of $X$, and it is denoted $\mathcal{C}al(X)$. We prove that the unitization of $\mathcal{K}(c_0)$ is isomorphic as a Banach algebra to the Calkin algebra of some Banach space $\mathcal{Z}_{\mathcal{K}(c_0)}$. This Banach space is an Argyros-Haydon sum $(\oplus_{n=1}^\infty X_n)_\mathrm{AH}$ of a sequence of copies $X_n$ of a single Argyros-Haydon space $\mathfrak{X}_\mathrm{AH}$, and the external versus the internal Argyros-Haydon construction parameters are chosen from disjoint sets.

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arXiv2024

On the complete separation of unique $\ell_{1}$ spreading models and the Lebesgue property of Banach spaces

We construct a reflexive Banach space $X_\mathcal{D}$ with an unconditional basis such that all spreading models admitted by normalized block sequences in $X_\mathcal{D}$ are uniformly equivalent to the unit vector basis of $\ell_1$, yet every infinite-dimensional closed subspace of $X_\mathcal{D}$ fails the Lebesgue property. This is a new result in a program initiated by Odell in 2002 concerning the strong separation of asymptotic properties in Banach spaces.

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arXiv2024

Reflexive Calkin algebras

For a Banach space $X$ denote by $\mathcal{L}(X)$ the algebra of bounded linear operators on $X$, by $\mathcal{K}(X)$ the compact operator ideal on $X$, and by $Cal(X) = \mathcal{L}(X)/\mathcal{K}(X)$ the Calkin algebra of $X$. We prove that $Cal(X)$ can be an infinite-dimensional reflexive Banach space, even isomorphic to a Hilbert space. More precisely, for every Banach space $U$ with a normalized unconditional basis not having a $c_0$ asymptotic version we construct a Banach space $\mathfrak{X}_U$ and a sequence of mutually annihilating projections $(I_s)_{s=1}^\infty$ on $\mathfrak{X}_U$, i.e., $I_sI_t = 0$, for $s\neq t$, such that $\mathcal{L}(\mathfrak{X}_U) = \mathcal{K}(\mathfrak{X}_U)\oplus[(I_s)_{s=1}^\infty]\oplus\mathbb{C}I$ and $(I_s)_{s=1}^\infty$ is equivalent to $(u_s)_{s=1}^\infty$. In particular, $Cal(\mathfrak{X}_U)$ is isomorphic, as a Banach algebra, to the unitization of $U$ with coordinate-wise multiplication. Banach spaces $U$ meeting these criteria include $\ell_p$ and $(\oplus_n\ell_\infty^n)_p$, $1\leq p<\infty$, with their unit vector bases, $L_p$, $1 <p<\infty$, with the Haar system, the asymptotic-$\ell_1$ Tsirelson space and Schlumprecht space with their usual bases, and many others.

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arXiv2023

Multipliers on bi-parameter Haar system Hardy spaces

Let $(h_I)$ denote the standard Haar system on $[0,1]$, indexed by $I\in \mathcal D$, the set of dyadic intervals and $h_I\otimes h_J$ denote the tensor product $(s,t)\mapsto h_I(s) h_J(t)$, $I,J\in \mathcal D$. We consider a class of two-parameter function spaces which are completions of the linear span $\mathcal{V}(\delta^2)$ of $h_I\otimes h_J$, $I,J\in \mathcal D$. This class contains all the spaces of the form $X(Y)$, where $X$ and $Y$ are either the Lebesgue spaces $L_p[0,1]$ or the Hardy spaces $H_p[0,1]$, $1\le p<\infty$. We say that $D\colon X(Y)\to X(Y)$ is a Haar multiplier if $D(h_I\otimes h_J) = d_{I,J} h_I\otimes h_J$, where $d_{I,J}\in \mathbb{R}$, and ask which more elementary operators factor through $D$. A decisive role plays the {\em Capon projection} $\mathcal{C}\colon \mathcal{V}(\delta^2)\to \mathcal{V}(\delta^2)$ given by $\mathcal{C} h_I\otimes h_J = h_I\otimes h_J$ if $|I|\leq |J|$, and $\mathcal{C} h_I\otimes h_J = 0$ if $|I| > |J|$, as our main result highlights: Given any bounded Haar multiplier $D\colon X(Y)\to X(Y)$, there exist $\lambda,\mu\in \mathbb{R}$ such that \begin{equation*} \text{$\lambda \mathcal{C} + \mu (\mathrm{Id}-\mathcal{C})$ approximately $1$-projectionally factors through $D$,} \end{equation*} i.e., for all $\eta>0$, there exist bounded operators $A,B$ so that $AB$ is the identity operator $\mathrm{Id}$, $\|A\|\cdot\|B\|=1$ and $\|\lambda \mathcal{C} + \mu (\mathrm{Id}-\mathcal{C}) - ADB\|<\eta$. Additionally, if $\mathcal{C}$ is unbounded on $X(Y)$, then $\lambda = \mu$ and then $\mathrm{Id}$ either factors through $D$ or $\mathrm{Id}-D$.

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arXiv2022

New characterizations of the unit vector basis of $c_0$ or $\ell_p$

Motivated by Altshuler's famous characterization of the unit vector basis of $c_0$ or $\ell_p$ among symmetric bases, we obtain similar characterizations among democratic bases and among bidemocratic bases. We also prove a separate characterization of the unit vector basis of $\ell_1$.

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arXiv2022

Restricted invertibility of continuous matrix functions

Motivated by an influential result of Bourgain and Tzafriri, we consider continuous matrix functions $A:\mathbb{R}\to M_{n\times n}$ and lower $\ell_2$-norm bounds associated with their restriction to certain subspaces. We prove that for any such $A$ with unit-length columns, there exists a continuous choice of subspaces $t\mapsto U(t)\subset \mathbb{R}^n$ such that for $v\in U(t)$, $\|A(t)v\|\geq c\|v\|$ where $c$ is some universal constant. Furthermore, the $U(t)$ are chosen so that their dimension satisfies a lower bound with optimal asymptotic dependence on $n$ and $\sup_{t\in \mathbb{R}}\|A(t)\|.$ We provide two methods. The first relies on an orthogonality argument, while the second is probabilistic and combinatorial in nature. The latter does not yield the optimal bound for $\dim(U(t))$ but the $U(t)$ obtained in this way are guaranteed to have a canonical representation as joined-together spaces spanned by subsets of the unit vector basis.

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arXiv2021

On uniqueness and plentitude of subsymmetric sequences

We explore the diversity of subsymmetric basic sequences in spaces with a subsymmetric basis. We prove that the subsymmetrization $Su(T^*)$ of Tsirelson's original Banach space provides the first known example of a space with a unique subsymmetric basic sequence that is additionally non-symmetric. Contrastingly, we provide a criterion for a space with a subsymmetric basis to contain a continuum of nonequivalent subsymmetric basic sequences and apply it to $Su(T^*)^*$. Finally, we provide a criterion for a subsymmetric sequence to be equivalent to the unit vector basis of some $\ell_p$ or $c_0$.

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arXiv2021

Separable Spaces of Continuous Functions as Calkin Algebras

It is proved that for every compact metric space $K$ there exists a Banach space $X$ whose Calkin algebra $\mathcal{L}(X)/\mathcal{K}(X)$ is homomorphically isometric to $C(K)$. This is achieved by appropriately modifying the Bourgain-Delbaen $\mathscr{L}_\infty$-space of Argyros and Haydon in such a manner that sufficiently many diagonal operators on this space are bounded.

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arXiv2021

The complete separation of the two finer asymptotic $\ell_{p}$ structures for $1\le p<\infty$

For $1\le p <\infty$, we present a reflexive Banach space $\mathfrak{X}^{(p)}_{\text{awi}}$, with an unconditional basis, that admits $\ell_p$ as a unique asymptotic model and does not contain any Asymptotic $\ell_p$ subspaces. D. Freeman, E. Odell, B. Sari and B. Zheng have shown that whenever a Banach space not containing $\ell_1$, in particular a reflexive Banach space, admits $c_0$ as a unique asymptotic model then it is Asymptotic $c_0$. These results provide a complete answer to a problem posed by L. Halbeisen and E. Odell and also complete a line of inquiry of the relation between specific asymptotic structures in Banach spaces, initiated in a previous paper by the first and fourth authors. For the definition of $\mathfrak{X}^{(p)}_{\text{awi}}$ we use saturation with asymptotically weakly incomparable constraints, a new method for defining a norm that remains small on a well-founded tree of vectors which penetrates any infinite dimensional closed subspace.

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arXiv2021

The space $L_1(L_p)$ is primary for $1<p<\infty$

The classical Banach space $L_1(L_p)$ consists of measurable scalar functions $f$ on the unit square for which $$\|f\| = \int_0^1\Big(\int_0^1 |f(x,y)|^p dy\Big)^{1/p}dx < \infty.$$ We show that $L_1(L_p)$ $(1 < p < \infty)$ is primary, meaning that, whenever $L_1(L_p) = E\oplus F$ then either $E$ or $F$ is isomorphic to $L_1(L_p)$. More generally we show that $L_1(X)$ is primary, for a large class of rearrangement invariant Banach function spaces.

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arXiv2020

Stochastic approximation of lamplighter metrics

We observe that embeddings into random metrics can be fruitfully used to study the $L_1$-embeddability of lamplighter graphs or groups, and more generally lamplighter metric spaces. Once this connection has been established, several new upper bound estimates on the $L_1$-distortion of lamplighter metrics follow from known related estimates about stochastic embeddings into dominating tree-metrics. For instance, every lamplighter metric on a $n$-point metric space embeds bi-Lipschitzly into $L_1$ with distortion $O(\log n)$. In particular, for every finite group $G$ the lamplighter group $H = \mathbb{Z}_2\wr G$ bi-Lipschitzly embeds into $L_1$ with distortion $O(\log\log|H|)$. In the case where the ground space in the lamplighter construction is a graph with some topological restrictions, better distortion estimates can be achieved. Finally, we discuss how a coarse embedding into $L_1$ of the lamplighter group over the $d$-dimensional infinite lattice $\mathbb{Z}^d$ can be constructed from bi-Lipschitz embeddings of the lamplighter graphs over finite $d$-dimensional grids, and we include a remark on Lipschitz free spaces over finite metric spaces.

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arXiv2020

On the bi-Lipschitz geometry of lamplighter graphs

In this article we start a systematic study of the bi-Lipschitz geometry of lamplighter graphs. We prove that lamplighter graphs over trees bi-Lipschitzly embed into Hamming cubes with distortion at most~$6$. It follows that lamplighter graphs over countable trees bi-Lipschitzly embed into $\ell_1$. We study the metric behaviour of the operation of taking the lamplighter graph over the vertex-coalescence of two graphs. Based on this analysis, we provide metric characterizations of superreflexivity in terms of lamplighter graphs over star graphs or rose graphs. Finally, we show that the presence of a clique in a graph implies the presence of a Hamming cube in the lamplighter graph over it. An application is a characterization in terms of a sequence of graphs with uniformly bounded degree of the notion of trivial Bourgain-Milman-Wolfson type for arbitrary metric spaces, similar to Ostrovskii's characterization previously obtained in \cite{ostrovskii:11}.

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