A nichtnegativstellensatz for polynomials in noncommuting variables (Q2480582)

Let \(k\) be the field of real or complex numbers and \(k\langle X\rangle\) the free associative algebra with free generators \(X=\{X_1,\dots,X_n\}\). Consider the involution \(*\) in \(k\langle X\rangle\) reversing each monomial. Let \(S\) be a fixed set of all \(*\)-symmetric elements containing the identity. Denote by \(K_S\) the class of all tuples \(A=(A_1,\dots,A_n)\) of bounded selfadjoint operators on a \(k\)-Hilbert space \(H\) such that under substitution \(X_i\mapsto A_i\), \(i=1,\dots,n\), the image \(s(A)\) of each \(s\in S\) is a positive semidefinite operator, that is, \(\langle s(A)x,x\rangle \geqslant 0\) for all \(x\in H\). The quadratic module \(M_S\) is the set of all symmetric elements of the form \(\sum_i g_i^*s_ig_i\), where \(g_i\in k\langle X\rangle\). \(M_S\) is Archimedean if \(N-(X_1^2 + \cdots + X_n^2)\in M_S\) for some positive integer \(N\). Fix a set \(S\) and a symmetric element \(f\). Suppose that \(M_S\) is Archimedean. Then the following are equivalent: (i) \(-f(A)\) is not positive semidefinite for all \(A\in K_S\); (ii) there exists an index \(r\) and elements \(h_1,\dots,h_r \in k\langle X\rangle\) such that \(\sum_{i=1}^r h_i^*fh_i \in 1+ M_S\). Some applications of this theorem are given.