Positive semidefinite quadratic forms on unitary matrices (Q972792): Difference between revisions

For each real quadratic form \(f(x_1, \dots, x_n) = \sum_{i, j = 1}^n \alpha_{ij} x_i x_j\), \(\alpha_{ij} = \alpha_{ji} \in {\mathbb R}\), and for unitary matrices \(U_1, \dots, U_n \in M_m(\mathbb C)\), define the Hermitian matrix \(f(U_1, \dots, U_n) := \sum_{i, j = 1}^n \alpha_{ij} {U_i}^* U_j\). The mapping \(f\) is \textit{unitary trace nonnegative} if \(\text{Tr} f(U_1, \dots, U_n) \geq 0\) for all unitary matrices \(U_1, \dots, U_n\). Also, \(f\) is \textit{unitary positive semidefinite} if \(f(U_1, \dots, U_n) \geq 0\) for all unitary matrices \(U_1, \dots, U_n\). The notation \(A \geq 0\) means that \(A\) is positive semidefinite. The author proves that \(f\) is unitary trace nonnegative if and only if \(f\) is unitary positive semidefinite.