The Approximation Functional and Interpolation with Perturbed Continuity

The continuity conditions at the endpoints of interpolation theorems, Ta_BjM_j a_Aj for j=0, 1, can be written with the help of the approximation functional: E(t, Ta; B₁, B₀)_L^∞M₀ a_A0 and E(t, Ta; B₀, B₁)_L^∞M₁ a_A1. As a special case of the results we present here we show that in the hypotheses of the interpolation theorem the L^∞ norms can be replaced by BMO( ₊) norms. This leads to a strong version of the Stein-Weiss theorem on interpolation with change of measure. Another application of our results is that the condition fL⁰, i.e., f*L^∞, where f*(γ)=μ{|f|>γ} is the distribution function of f, can be replaced in interpolation with L(p, q) spaces by the weaker f*BMO( ₊).