Segal algebras on Hermitian groups (Q1011121)

Let A be a Banach algebra. For \(a\in A\), \(\sigma_A(a)\) denotes the spectrum of \(a\in A\). A Banach *- algebra is said to be Hermitian if \(\sigma_A(x)\subset \mathbb R\) for any selfadjoint \(x\in A\). It is well known that \(A\) is Hermitian if and only if \(\sigma_A(x*x)\subset [0,\infty)\) for \(x\in A\). A locally compact group \(G\) is said to be Hermitian if \(L^1(G)\) is Hermitian. A Segal algebra \(S^1(G)\) (not necessarily invariant under the involution of \(L^1(G)\)) is said to be quasi-Hermitian if \(\sigma_{S^1(G)} (\tilde{f}*f) \subset [0,\infty)\) for all \(f\in S^1(G)\). \(G\) is said to be a [SIN]-group if every neighbourhood of the identity contains a compact invariant neighbourhood of the identity. The author proves that if \(G\) is a [SIN]-group then the following are equivalent: {\parindent7mm \begin{itemize}\item[(i)] \(G\) is Hermitian. \item[(ii)] Any Segal algebra is quasi-Hermitian. \item[(iii)] There exists a quasi-Hermitian Segal algebra on \(G\). \end{itemize}}