Hilbert space operators with two-isometric dilations

A continuous linear Hilbert space operator S is said to be a 2-isometry if the operator S and its adjoint S∗ satisfy the relation S∗2S2−2S∗S+I=0. We study operators having liftings or dilations to 2-isometries. The adjoint of an operator which admits such liftings is the restriction of a backward shift on a Hilbert space of vector-valued analytic functions. These results are applied to concave operators and to operators similar to contractions. Two types of liftings to 2-isometries, as well as the extensions induced by them, are constructed and isomorphic minimal liftings are discussed.