EN
We modify the very well known theory of normed spaces (E,||·||) within functional analysis by considering a sequence (||·||ₙ: n ∈ ℕ) of norms, where ||·||ₙ is defined on the product space Eⁿ for each n ∈ ℕ.
Our theory is analogous to, but distinct from, an existing theory of 'operator spaces'; it is designed to relate to general spaces $L^{p}$ for p ∈ [1,∞], and in particular to L¹-spaces, rather than to L²-spaces.
After recalling in Chapter 1 some results in functional analysis, especially in Banach space, Hilbert space, Banach algebra, and Banach lattice theory, that we shall use, we shall present in Chapter 2 our axiomatic definition of a 'multi-normed space' ((Eⁿ,||·||ₙ): n ∈ ℕ), where (E,||·||) is a normed space. Several different, equivalent, characterizations of multi-normed spaces are given, some involving the theory of tensor products; key examples of multi-norms are the minimum, maximum, and (p,q)-multi-norms based on a given space. Multi-norms measure 'geometrical features' of normed spaces, in particular by considering their 'rate of growth'. There is a strong connection between multi-normed spaces and the theory of absolutely summing operators.
A substantial number of examples of multi-norms will be presented.
Following the pattern of standard presentations of the foundations of functional analysis, we consider generalizations to 'multi-topological linear spaces' through 'multi-null sequences', and to 'multi-bounded' linear operators, which are exactly the 'multi-continuous' operators. We define a new Banach space ℳ(E,F) of multi-bounded operators, and show that it generalizes well-known spaces, especially in the theory of Banach lattices.
We conclude with a theory of 'orthogonal decompositions' of a normed space with respect to a multi-norm, and apply this to construct a 'multi-dual' space.
Applications of this theory will be presented elsewhere.