# Infinite direct sum of Hilbert spaces

Let $\{H_i\}_{i \in I}$ be an infinite collection of Hilbert spaces. I am trying to understand their "direct sum".

$\bigoplus H_i$ (algebraic sum) is an inner product space in a straightforward way. It is not, however a Hilbert space. Let $\overline{\,} : \mathbb{N} \to I$ be an injection, and $\{h_k\}_{k \in \mathbb{N}}$ such that $h_k \in H_{\overline{k}}$. Then the sequence $\sum\limits_{k=1}^n h_k$ is Cauchy, but not convergent when $\sum\limits_{k=1}^\infty \|h_k\|_{H_{\overline{k}}}^2 < \infty$.

In fact, I would like to argue that these are the only obstructions to $\bigoplus H_i$ being a Hilbert space. Unfortunately, proving it is beyond me.

Let $H \subseteq \prod H_i$ be the subset bounded with respect to the norm

$$\|h\| := \sqrt{\sum \|\pi_i(h)\|_{H_i}^2}$$

(The sum is considered infinite if more than countably many $\pi_i(h)$ are non-zero.)

I would like to prove that

• $H$ is an inner product space with the above norm
• $H$ is complete with respect to the above norm
• $\bigoplus H_i$ is a dense "subspace" of $H$

I'm looking for an accessible reference. I'm currently reading "Linear Analysis" by Bollobás, which I find very well-written. He even sets this as an exercise, but with a tone that strongly suggests that $H$ isn't complete:

• See also here, the part of the answer starting "More generally". – Daniel Fischer Nov 20 '14 at 22:06

Let $a_i=(h_{\gamma i})$ be a sequence in $H$. Assume $A=\sum_i \| a_i \| < \infty$. So $A=\sum_i \sqrt{\sum_\gamma \|h_{\gamma i} \|^2 } \geq \sum_i \|h_{\gamma i} \|^2$. So for each $\gamma$, $g_\gamma=\sum_i h_{\gamma i}$ converges. Now let $a=(g_\gamma)$, then $$\infty > A^2 =\sum_{i,j} \sqrt{\sum_\gamma \| h_{\gamma i} \|^2}\quad \sqrt{\sum_\gamma \| h_{\gamma j} \|^2}\geq \sum_{i,j}\sum_\gamma \| h_{\gamma i} \| \| h_{\gamma j} \| \geq$$ $$\sum_{i,j}\sum_\gamma \langle h_{\gamma i}, h_{\gamma j} \rangle =\sum_\gamma \| h_{\gamma i} \|^2 = \|a\|$$ is finite, so $a\in H$ and $\sum a_i$ converges to $a$.