<title>Riesz wavelets and multiresolution structures</title>

Multiresolution structures are important in applications, but they are also useful for analyzing properties of associated wavelets. Given a nonorthogonal (multi-) wavelet in a Hilbert space, we construct a core subspace. Subsequently, the dilates of the core subspace defines a ladder of nested subspaces. Of fundamental importance are two questions: 1) when is the core subspace shift invariant; and if yes, then 2) when is the core subspace generated by shifts of a single vector, i.e. there exists a scaling vector. If the wavelet generates a Riesz basis then the answer to question 1) is yes if and only if the wavelet is a biorthogonal wavelet. Additionally, if the wavelet generates a tight frame of arbitrary frame constant, then the core subspace is shift invariant. Question 1) is still open in case the wavelet generates a non-tight frame. We also present some known results to question 2) and provide some preliminary improvements. Our analysis here arises from investigating the dimension function and the multiplicity function of a wavelet. These two functions agree if the wavelet is orthogonal. Finally, we discuss how these questions are important for considering linear perturbation of wavelets. Utilizing the idea of the local commutant of a unitary system developed by Dai and Larson, we show that nearly all linear perturbations of two orthonormal wavelets form a Riesz wavelet. If in fact these wavelets correspond to a von Neu- mann algebra in the local commutant of a “base” wavelet, then the interpolated wavelet is biorthogonal. Moreover, we demonstrate that in this case the interpolated wavelets have a scaling vector if the base wavelet has a scaling vector. Keywords: wavelet, Riesz basis, multiresolution, perturbation.