Positivity of $2\times 2$ block matrices of operators

Abstract

We review some of the significant generalizations and applications of the celebrated Douglas theorem on the equivalence of factorization, range inclusion, and majorization of operators. We then apply it to find a characterization of the positivity of $2\times 2$ block matrices of operators in Hilbert spaces and finally describe the nature of such block matrices and provide several ways for showing their positivity.