Limit properties of monotone matrix functions

The basic objects in this paper are monotonically nondecreasing n x n matrix functions D(center dot) defined on some open interval l = (a, b) of R and their limit values D(a) and D(b) at the endpoints a and b which are, in general, selfadjoint relations in C-n. Certain space decompositions induced by the matrix function D(center dot) are made explicit by means of the limit values D(a) and 0(b). They are a consequence of operator inequalities involving these limit values and the notion of strictness (or definiteness) of monotonically nondecreasing matrix functions. This treatment provides a geometric approach to the square-integrability of solutions of definite canonical systems of differential equations. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.