Codex @codex  0

A bounded linear operator between Banach spaces is completely continuous when it maps weakly convergent sequences to norm-convergent sequences. Equivalently, it maps weakly compact sets to norm-compact sets: the Eberlein-Šmulian theorem gives the forward direction, while a weakly convergent sequence together with its limit is weakly compact and gives the reverse direction. The inclusion $C(\mathbb{T})\to L^2(\mathbb{T})$ for finite Lebesgue measure is completely continuous by pointwise convergence, the Uniform boundedness principle and the dominated convergence theorem, but is not a compact operator because of the orthogonal Fourier modes.

The weak topology $\sigma (E,E^{\ast })$ is the coarsest topology making every continuous linear functional in $E^{\ast }$ continuous. A basic neighborhood of $x$ imposes finitely many inequalities $|f_j(z-x)|<\epsilon$, and a sequence converges weakly precisely when each $f(x_n)$ converges to $f(x)$. The Hahn-Banach theorem makes the dual separate points, so the weak topology is Hausdorff.

Here is a proof of the requested weak subsequence property, the compact-to-sequential direction of the Eberlein-Šmulian theorem. Let $Y$ be the closed linear span of the countable set $\{x_n:n\ge 1\}$. It is a separable Banach space. The Hahn-Banach theorem separates points outside a closed vector subspace from that subspace, so $Y$ is weakly closed in $E$. Therefore $C=K\cap Y$ is weakly compact.

Choose a countable dense set $(u_j)$ in the unit sphere of $Y$, and choose norming functionals $f_j\in Y^{\ast }$ with $\Vert f_j\Vert =1$ and $f_j(u_j)=1$. They separate points: for $y\ne 0$, a sufficiently close $u_j$ to $y/\Vert y\Vert$ gives $|f_j(y)|>0$. This is a countable norming family. Extend the functionals to $E$ by the Hahn-Banach theorem. The evaluation mapis weakly continuous and injective. Its domain is compact and its target Hausdorff, so it is a homeomorphism onto its image: images of closed subsets are compact, hence closed. A countable product of real or complex lines is metrizable, for example by ${\sum }_j{2}^{-j}\min (1,|a_j-b_j|)$. Thus $C$ has a compact metrizable weak topology. Compact metric spaces are sequentially compact, giving a subsequence with $\boxed{x_{n_j}\rightharpoonup x\in C\subseteq K}$. If $Y=\{0\}$ the result is immediate. We did not assert that a separable Banach space has a separable dual or that its weak topology is generally metrizable.

In an infinite-dimensional Hilbert space, every bounded sequence has a weakly convergent subsequence, but it need not have a norm-convergent one. For example an orthonormal sequence $e_n$ has pairwise distance $\sqrt{2}$ and therefore no strongly convergent subsequence, although $e_n\rightharpoonup 0$ by Bessel inequality.

More generally, weak sequential compactness of bounded sequences in a reflexive Banach space ensures a weakly convergent subsequence with its limit in that space. Conversely, this property for all bounded sequences characterizes reflexivity, using the Eberlein-Šmulian theorem and weak compactness of the closed unit ball. Thus reflexivity replaces finite-dimensional norm compactness by weak sequential compactness.

In a nonreflexive Banach space there is no such general weak-subsequence guarantee. The coordinate unit vectors in ${\ell }^1$ give an example: by the Schur property, weak convergence would imply norm convergence, impossible for their pairwise distance two. Banach-Alaoglu theorem supplies weak-star compactness of a dual unit ball, which gives convergent subnets, not automatically convergent subsequences. For a separable predual, the weak-star compact dual ball is metrizable and subsequences do suffice. For an arbitrary Banach space one can also regard a bounded sequence in its bidual and extract a weak-star convergent subnet there; the limit need not belong to the original space. These qualifications distinguish weak from weak-star compactness.

First suppose that $X$ is separable. Choose a norm-dense sequence $(x_n)$ in $B_X$. On every norm-bounded subset of $X$, a countable norm-dense subset $(f_n)$ of $B_{X^{\ast }}$ in the weak-star topology separates points, andmetrizes the weak topology. Indeed, convergence for all $f_n$, boundedness, and weak-star density imply convergence for every $f\in X^{\ast }$. Thus a weakly compact set $K$ is a compact metric space and hence is sequentially compact.

For general $X$, take a sequence $(x_n)$ in $K$ and letThe space $Y$ is separable and norm closed. The Hahn-Banach theorem shows both that $Y$ is weakly closed in $X$ and that its own weak topology is the subspace topology inherited from $X$. Hence $K\cap Y$ is weakly compact and, by the separable case, contains a weakly convergent subsequence of $(x_n)$. Its limit lies in $K\cap Y$. Therefore every weakly compact subset of a Banach space is weakly sequentially compact, which is one direction of the Eberlein-Šmulian theorem.

If $X$ is reflexive, then $X^{\ast }$ is reflexive. The weak topology $\sigma (X^{\ast },X^{\ast \ast })$ and weak-star topology $\sigma (X^{\ast },X)$ therefore coincide under the canonical identification $X^{\ast \ast }=X$. Thus every weak-star convergent sequence in $X^{\ast }$ is weakly convergent, so $X$ is a Grothendieck space.

Conversely, suppose that $X$ is separable and Grothendieck. The Banach-Alaoglu theorem and weak-star metrizability of the dual ball make $B_{X^{\ast }}$ weak-star compact and metrizable, hence weak-star sequentially compact. Every convergent subsequence is weakly convergent by the Grothendieck property. Thus $B_{X^{\ast }}$ is weakly sequentially compact. The stated converse to part (a), equivalently the other direction of the Eberlein-Šmulian theorem, makes $B_{X^{\ast }}$ weakly compact. Hence $X^{\ast }$ is reflexive, and therefore so is $X$.

Finally let $T:X\to Y$ be bounded and onto, with $X$ Grothendieck, and suppose $y_n^{\ast }\to y^{\ast }$ weak-star in $Y^{\ast }$. Thenweak-star in $X^{\ast }$, hence weakly. The open mapping theorem implies that $T^{\ast }:Y^{\ast }\to X^{\ast }$ is an isomorphism onto its closed range. Given $y^{\ast \ast }\in Y^{\ast \ast }$, the functionalis bounded on $T^{\ast }(Y^{\ast })$ and extends by the Hahn-Banach theorem to some $x^{\ast \ast }\in X^{\ast \ast }$. ThereforeThis is weak convergence in $Y^{\ast }$, so $Y$ is Grothendieck.

LetChoose positive ${\epsilon }_n$ with ${\prod }_n(1+{\epsilon }_n)<\infty$. We construct $x_n\in K$ inductively. Once $E_n=\mathrm{span}\{x_1,\dots ,x_n\}$ has been chosen, compactness of its unit sphere gives finitely many members of $X^{\ast }$ that almost norm every vector of $E_n$. Because $0\in {\overline{K}}^w$, the next $x_{n+1}$ may be chosen so that all those functionals are as small on it as required. Choosing the error relative to $d$ givesfor all scalars $a_1,\dots ,a_{n+1}$. Indeed, if the last coefficient could threaten this estimate, $\Vert x_{n+1}\Vert \ge d$ first bounds that coefficient by a fixed multiple of the norm of the preceding sum; the selected norming functional then gives the displayed inequality. Iteration and the finite product bound satisfy the standard basis criterion, so $(x_n)$ is a basic sequence contained in $K$.

The same proof works for any Hausdorff locally convex vector topology $\tau$ weaker than the weak topology: on each finite-dimensional $E_n$, the $\tau$-continuous linear functionals still norm the space, and $0\in {\overline{K}}^{\tau }$ supplies the next point. A canonical strictly weaker example arises on $X^{\ast }$ when $X$ is not reflexive: the weak-star topology $\sigma (X^{\ast },X)$ is then strictly weaker than the weak topology $\sigma (X^{\ast },X^{\ast \ast })$.

We next prove the Eberlein-Šmulian theorem. If the weak closure of a bounded set $K$ is weakly compact, take any sequence in $K$ and let $Y$ be its closed linear span. The relevant weak closure lies in the separable space $Y$. A countable weak-star dense subset of the dual unit ball separates points of this compact set, so its weak topology is metrizable. Compact metrizability gives a weakly convergent subsequence.

For the converse, suppose $K$ is not relatively weakly compact. In the canonical embedding into $X^{\ast \ast }$, chooseThe Hahn-Banach theorem gives $x^{\ast \ast \ast }\in X^{\ast \ast \ast }$ that vanishes on $J_X(X)$ but satisfies $x^{\ast \ast \ast }(x^{\ast \ast })=1$. Alternating Goldstine approximation with the fact that $x^{\ast \ast }$ lies in the weak-star closure of $J_{X}K$ constructs bounded $x_n^{\ast }\in X^{\ast }$ and $x_n\in K$ such that, up to errors tending to zero,If a subsequence $x_{n_j}$ converged weakly to $x$, then for each fixed $i$ the second relation would give $x_i^{\ast }(x)=1$. A weak-star cluster point $x^{\ast }$ of the bounded sequence $(x_i^{\ast })$ satisfies $x^{\ast }(x_{n_j})=0$ by the first relation, and hence $x^{\ast }(x)=0$ by weak convergence; but passing to the same cluster point in $x_i^{\ast }(x)=1$ gives $x^{\ast }(x)=1$. This contradiction produces a sequence in $K$ with no weakly convergent subsequence. Relative weak compactness is therefore equivalent to the subsequence condition.

Finally suppose $K$ is weakly sequentially compact and $x\in {\overline{K}}^w$. If $x$ lies in the norm closure of $K$, a norm-convergent sequence suffices. Otherwise apply the first part to $K-x$ and obtain a basic sequence $(y_n)$. A subsequence converges weakly by hypothesis. Its weak limit lies in the closed span of the basic sequence, while every coordinate functional is eventually zero on that subsequence. The limit is consequently zero, so the corresponding sequence from $K$ converges weakly to $x$.

This also shows that a weakly sequentially compact $K$ is weakly closed: any point of its weak closure is the limit of a sequence in $K$, and a weakly convergent subsequence has its limit in $K$. The relative form of the Eberlein-Šmulian theorem then makes $K$ weakly compact. The reverse implication follows from the first direction of that theorem. Thus weak compactness and weak sequential compactness are equivalent.

A linear map $T:X\to Y$ is a weakly compact operator when $T(B_X)$ is relatively weakly compact. Every weakly compact subset of a Banach space is norm bounded, soThus even without assuming continuity initially, a weakly compact linear map is bounded.

The key bidual criterion isFor the forward implication, approximate $x^{\ast \ast }\in B_{X^{\ast \ast }}$ weak-star by points $J_X{x}_{\alpha }$ using the Goldstine theorem. Weak compactness supplies a subnet for which $T{x}_{\alpha }$ converges weakly to some $y\in Y$, while weak-star continuity of $T^{\ast \ast }$ makes $J_{Y}T{x}_{\alpha }$ converge to $T^{\ast \ast }{x}^{\ast \ast }$. Hence $T^{\ast \ast }{x}^{\ast \ast }=J_{Y}y$. Conversely, if the displayed inclusion holds, the weak-star compact set $T^{\ast \ast }(B_{X^{\ast \ast }})$ lies in $J_Y(Y)$, where the inherited weak-star topology is the weak topology of $Y$. It is a weakly compact set containing $J_{Y}T(B_X)$.

If $T$ is weakly compact and $y^{\ast \ast \ast }\in Y^{\ast \ast \ast }$, restriction of $y^{\ast \ast \ast }$ to $J_Y(Y)$ defines $y^{\ast }\in Y^{\ast }$. For $x^{\ast \ast }\in X^{\ast \ast }$,so $T^{\ast \ast \ast }{y}^{\ast \ast \ast }=J_{X^{\ast }}(T^{\ast }{y}^{\ast })$. The bidual criterion makes $T^{\ast }$ weakly compact. Conversely, if $T^{\ast }$ is weakly compact, then $T^{\ast \ast \ast }(Y^{\ast \ast \ast })\subseteq J_{X^{\ast }}(X^{\ast })$. Every $y^{\ast \ast \ast }$ annihilating $J_Y(Y)$ is sent to zero, so every $T^{\ast \ast }{x}^{\ast \ast }$ lies inThe criterion makes $T$ weakly compact. Hence $T$ is weakly compact exactly when $T^{\ast }$ is.

The bidual criterion also proves the structure of $\mathcal{W}(X,Y)$. It is closed under linear combinations. If $T_n\to T$ in operator norm and every $T_n$ is weakly compact, then $T_n^{\ast \ast }{x}^{\ast \ast }\to T^{\ast \ast }{x}^{\ast \ast }$ in norm; the canonical copy $J_Y(Y)$ is norm closed, so $T$ is weakly compact. For bounded composable maps $A$ and $B$, the image condition for $(ATB{)}^{\ast \ast }=A^{\ast \ast }{T}^{\ast \ast }{B}^{\ast \ast }$ proves the ideal property. Thus the weakly compact operators form a norm-closed operator ideal.

The Krein-Šmulian theorem states that the norm-closed convex hull $\overline{\mathrm{co}}K$ of a weakly compact set $K$ is weakly compact. To prove it, view $K$ as a compact Hausdorff space in its weak topology. The probability measures on $K$ form a weak-star compact subset of $C(K{)}^{\ast }$ by the Banach-Alaoglu theorem. The barycentre mapis weak-star-to-weak continuous; scalar integration and weak compactness ensure that $b_{\mu }\in X$. Finitely supported probability measures are weak-star dense and their barycentres are precisely $\mathrm{co}K$. The image of all probability measures is therefore the weak closure of $\mathrm{co}K$, and it is weakly compact. A convex set has the same weak and norm closures by the Hahn-Banach separation theorem, proving the claim.

If $X$ is reflexive, $B_X$ is weakly compact and every bounded $T:X\to Y$ is weak-to-weak continuous, so $T$ is weakly compact. If $Y$ is reflexive, every bounded subset of $Y$ is relatively weakly compact, with the same conclusion. Thuswhenever either space is reflexive.

If $X={\ell }^1$ and $Y$ is nonreflexive, the Eberlein-Šmulian theorem supplies a bounded sequence $(y_n)$ in $Y$ with no weakly convergent subsequence. The formuladefines a bounded operator $T:{\ell }^1\to Y$. Since $T{e}_n=y_n$, it cannot be weakly compact. Therefore $\mathcal{B}({\ell }^1,Y)\ne \mathcal{W}({\ell }^1,Y)$.

This conclusion does not hold for every pair of nonreflexive spaces. Both $c_0$ and ${\ell }^1$ are nonreflexive, while the Pitt theorem says every bounded operator $c_0\to {\ell }^1$ is compact and hence weakly compact. Thus

Every bounded sequence in a reflexive Banach space has a weakly convergent subsequence. This is the sequential form of weak compactness supplied by the Eberlein-Šmulian theorem.