Quaternionic matrices: Unitary similarity, simultaneous triangularization and some trace identities (Q2469517)

Some properties of quaternionic matrices are discussed and analyzed. Let \({\mathbb R}, {\mathbb C}, {\mathbb H}\) denote the field of real numbers, complex numbers and the division ring of real quaternions, respectively. Let \(D\) represents an element from the set \({\mathbb R}, {\mathbb C},{\mathbb H}\) and \(M_n(D)\) denotes the algebra of \(n \times n\) matrices over \(D\). The maximal compact subgroup of the general linear group \(\text{GL}_n(D)\) acts on \(M_n(D)\) by conjugation as \(O(n)\) in the real case, \(U(n)\) in the complex case and \(\text{Sp}(n)\) in the quaternionic case. In the paper, separating of orbits of the mentioned action by means of a minimal set of polynomial invariants is considered. It is shown that in the case of \(M_2\), i. e., the \(2 \times 2\) quaternionic matrices, six words, whose traces distinguish the unitary orbits, are sufficient for the separation and that this set of six words is minimal. For two unit-speed one-parameter subgroups of \(\text{Sp}(1)\), an infinite family of trace identities for quaternions is obtained. Also, the simultaneous triangularization of subalgebras of \(M_n\) is considered. The concept of quasi-triangularization is introduced. Two characterizations of triangularizable subalgebras of matrix algebras over algebraically closed field are proved. Two infinite families of polynomial equations on the semi-algebraic set of pairs of quaternionic matrices which are simultaneously triangularizable are constructed. Finally, four open problems are stated.