Spaces Λα(X) and interpolation

For two pairs of rearrangement invariant spaces α = (X₁, Y₁), (X₂, Y₂)] we give necessary and sufficient conditions for pairs (X, Y) to be weak intermediate for σ, i.e., each operator which is of weak types (X_i, Y_i), i = 1, 2, also maps X boundedly to Y. Spaces Λ_α(X) are introduced and are shown to have many of the properties that characterize Lorentz L^pq spaces. Necessary and sufficient conditions in terms of a simple function F(s, t) are given in order that (Λ_α(X), Λ_α(Y)) be weak intermediate for σ. Other properties of the function F(s, t) yield sufficient conditions and necessary conditions for interpolation theorems.