Error estimates for vector field interpolation based on generalized matrix-valued kernels

Matrix-valued kernels provide a flexible framework for approximating vector fields from scattered data, especially when structural constraints such as divergence-free or curl-free conditions must be preserved. Classical potential-based constructions enforce these constraints naturally, but they typically require the generating scalar function to possess relatively high smoothness. We develop an operator-based framework for constructing div-free and curl-free matrix-valued kernels using integral and differential operators, which substantially relaxes the regularity requirements of the potential approach. Using dimension-walking techniques, we show that the resulting native spaces are norm-equivalent to appropriate vector-valued Sobolev spaces. Another main contribution of the paper is a sharp error analysis for the corresponding kernel matrix-valued interpolation problem. We derive direct Sobolev error estimates that allow fractional regularity of the target field, and we establish Bernstein-type inequalities for the associated kernel trial spaces. These results lead to a complete inverse theorem. We also investigate stability by proving lower bounds for the smallest eigenvalues of the interpolation matrices. Numerical experiments are included to verify the theoretical results.