Frames and factorization of graph Laplacians

Abstract

Using functions from electrical networks (graphs with resistors assigned to edges), we prove existence (with explicit formulas) of a canonical Parseval frame in the energy Hilbert space $\mathscr{H}_{E}$ of a prescribed infinite (or finite) network. Outside degenerate cases, our Parseval frame is not an orthonormal basis. We apply our frame to prove a number of explicit results: With our Parseval frame and related closable operators in $\mathscr{H}_{E}$ we characterize the Friedrichs extension of the $\mathscr{H}_{E}$-graph Laplacian. We consider infinite connected network-graphs $G=(V,E)$, $V$ for vertices, and $E$ for edges. To every conductance function $c$ on the edges $E$ of $G$, there is an associated pair ($\mathscr{H}_{E}$, $\Delta$) where $\mathscr{H}_{E}$ in an energy Hilbert space, and $\Delta\left(=\Delta_{c}\right)$ is the $c$-graph Laplacian; both depending on the choice of conductance function $c$. When a conductance function is given, there is a current-induced orientation on the set of edges and an associated natural Parseval frame in $\mathscr{H}_{E}$ consisting of dipoles. Now $\Delta$ is a well-defined semibounded Hermitian operator in both of the Hilbert $l^{2}\left(V\right)$ and $\mathscr{H}_{E}$. It is known to automatically be essentially selfadjoint as an $l^{2}\left(V\right)$-operator, but generally not as an $\mathscr{H}_{E}$ operator. Hence as an $\mathscr{H}_{E}$ operator it has a Friedrichs extension. In this paper we offer two results for the Friedrichs extension: a characterization and a factorization. The latter is via $l^{2}\left(V\right)$.