A complete unitary similarity invariant for unicellular matrices (Q2431200)

Specht's well-known characterization of unitary similarity on \(A, B\in M_n\) asserts that \(A, B\) are unitarily similar if and only if \(\text{tr} \omega(A, A^*)=\text{tr} (B, B^*)\) for all word \(\omega\) in two noncommuting variables \(x\) and \(y\). Motivated by the concept of unicellular operator or transformation in operator theory, the paper studies when \(B\in M_n\) is unitarily similar to a fixed unicellular matrix \(A\in M_n\) (A matrix \(A\in M_n\) is said to be unicellular if \(A\) is not similar to \(G\oplus H\) for some square \(G\) and \(H\) of strictly smaller size than \(A\)). Necessary and sufficient conditions are obtained. Application to Volterra operator is given.