Partial orders in non-commutative \(L^p\) spaces associated with semi-finite von Neumann algebras (Q2239012)

The authors introduce the star partial order \(\stackrel{*}{\le} B\) and the diamond order \(\le ^\diamond \) in the noncommutative \(L_p\)-space \(L^p(\mathscr{M})\) affiliated with a semifinite von Neumann algebra \(\mathscr{M}\), \(1\le p<\infty\). Let \(A,B\in L^p(\mathscr{M})\). We say \(A\stackrel{*}{\le} B\) if \(A^*A =A^* B\) and \(AA^*=BA^*\). We denote by \(A\le ^\diamond B\) if \(P_A\le P_B\), \(Q_A \le Q_B\), \(AA^\ast A =AB^*A\). The authors establish a result about the existence of the star infimum and supremum. They also prove that a subset with an upper bound must have a minimal upper bound (under the diamond order) in the noncommutative \(L_p\)-space affiliated with a finite von Neumann algebra. However, this result may fail if the von Neumann algebra is not finite.