On the binary relation \(\leqslant_u\) on self-adjoint Hilbert space operators (Q424757)

Let \(H\) be a complex Hilbert space and let \(B(H)\) be the \(C^*\)-algebra of bounded linear operators on \(H\). For two self-adjoint operators \(A,B\in B(H)\) one writes \(A\leq_u B\) if \(A\leq U^*BU\) for some unitary operator \(U\in B(H)\). A natural question is whether \(A\leq_u B\) implies \(f(A)\leq_u f(B)\) for certain functions. It was shown by \textit{H. Kosaki} that \(A\leq B\) implies \(e^A\leq_u e^B\) [Proc. Cent. Math. Appl. Aust. Natl. Univ. 29, 129--134 (1991; Zbl 0801.47012)]. In the present note, the authors use this result and several lemmas to show that when \(A, B\) are two nonnegative operators, then \(A\leq_u B\) implies \(f(g(A)^r)\leq_u f(g(B)^r)\) for every increasing operator convex function \(f\), every operator monotone function \(g\), and every \(r> 0\).