Gaussian Optimal Transport Beyond Brenier's Theorem

Abstract: We explore the geometry of the Bures-Wasserstein space for potentially degenerate Gaussian measures on a separable Hilbert space. In this general setting, the optimal transport map is formally the subgradient of a convex function that is infinite almost everywhere, rendering conventional duality-based variational methods ineffective. We overcome this analytical barrier by exploiting a constructive operator-theoretic approach. Our central result proves that the Kantorovich problem for any pair of Gaussian measures reduces to a Monge problem; that is, an optimal transport map exists in at least one direction between two measures. This reduction allows for a complete characterization with explicit formulas for all optimal (potentially unbounded) Monge transport map and Kantorovich couplings, as well as establishing their uniqueness. Furthermore, we provide a full description of the convex set of geodesics between degenerate measures, revealing a rich geometric structure where the classical McCann interpolants arise as the extreme points. We apply these findings to construct transport maps for Gaussian processes and introduce a novel framework for Wasserstein barycenters based on random Green's operators.