On the operator equation \(\alpha +\alpha ^{-1}=\beta +\beta ^{-1}\) (Q1820396)

This paper deals with an important operator equation \(\alpha +\alpha^{- 1}=\beta +\beta^{-1}\) for two *-automorphisms \(\alpha\), \(\beta\) on a von Neumann algebra M. It has been shown in the previous author's paper ''On a decomposition of a von Neumann algebra'', Rend. Sem. Math. Univ. Padova 65, 1-7 (1981; Zbl 0501.46058), that if \(\alpha\) and \(\beta\) commute then M can be decomposed by a central projection p in M such that \(\alpha =\beta\) on Mp and \(\alpha =\beta^{-1}\) on M(1-p). This result is more significant in the case of a factor where \(\alpha =\beta\) or \(\alpha =\beta^{-1}.\) One aim of this paper is to provide a new and simpler proof of the main result in the general case. The second aim is to give a direct proof of the result in the important situation of factors. Essentially the result has been proved for \(M=B(H)\) using Hilbert-Schmidt operators and then extended to the factor by continuity arguments.