A second order approach to the Kato square root problem on open sets

We give a proof for the Kato square root problem on suitable open sets and subject to pure Dirichlet boundary conditions. In contrast to earlier work, our proof uses only second-order techniques and is in the spirit of the proof given by Egert--Haller--Monniaux--Tolksdorf in the scope of the 27th international internet seminar for Ω = Rⁿ. In contrast to the usual proofs based on the first-order framework by Axelsson--Keith--McIntosh, the proof becomes substantially shorter and technically less demanding.