Probabilistic frames and Wasserstein distances

Abstract

We use Wasserstein distances to characterize and study probabilistic frames. Adapting results from Olkin and Pukelsheim, from Gelbrich and from Cuesta-Albertos, Matran-Bea and Tuero-Diaz to frame operators, we show that the sets of probabilistic frames with given frame operator are homeomorphic by an optimal linear push-forward. Using the Wasserstein distances, we generalize several recent results in probabilistic frame theory and show path connectedness of the set of probabilistic frames with a fixed frame operator. We also describe transport duals that do not arise as push-forwards and characterize those that are push-forwards.