English

An Operator Ito Formula for Volterra Gaussian Processes: The Intrinsic Bracket via Causal Derivation-Divergence Factorization

Probability 2026-02-18 v4

Abstract

We derive an Ito-type change-of-variables formula for Volterra Gaussian processes (including fractional Brownian motion with any Hurst parameter), based on the operator factorization framework. The Ito correction is expressed as a Stieltjes integral against the energy function Gamma^X(t) := ||Pi DX_t||_H^2, which equals E[X_t^2] for centered Gaussian processes. The correction emerges from the non-commutativity of the predictable projection Pi with nonlinear functions and is computed via the Gaussian conditional expectation structure following Decreusefond-Ustunel. We prove three results beyond the formula itself: (1) the energy measure d Gamma^X is the unique second-order correction compatible with the operator factorization; (2) under a fixed driving martingale, the intrinsic bracket is invariant under changes of Volterra kernel representation; (3) the bracket is stable under L^2 kernel approximation. The proof uses a marginal density argument via the Gaussian heat equation, bypassing pathwise increments entirely. We restrict to first-order formulas; higher-order rough dynamics are not addressed. The proof relies on Gaussianity; for non-Gaussian processes the formula extends as a conjecture.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2601.10359,
  title  = {An Operator Ito Formula for Volterra Gaussian Processes: The Intrinsic Bracket via Causal Derivation-Divergence Factorization},
  author = {Ramiro Fontes},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2601.10359},
  year   = {2026}
}

Comments

19 pages. Third paper in a trilogy with arXiv:2601.09976 and arXiv:2601.09967

R2 v1 2026-07-01T09:05:49.056Z