Commutation of projections and trace characterization on von Neumann algebras. II. (Q650448)

Let \(\mathcal H\) be a complex Hilbert space, and let \(\mathcal{B(H)}\) be the von Nuumann algebra of all bounded linear operators on \(\mathcal H\). In the first part of the paper, the author obtains new necessary and sufficient commutation conditions for projections in terms of operator inequalities. In particular, for two projections \(p,q\in\mathcal{B(H)}\), one has \(pq=qp\) if and only if \(e^{p+q}\leq e^{p/2}e^q e^{p/2}\). Such inequalities are then applied to characterize the traces in the class of all positive normal functionals. For instance, in the spirit of the Golden-Thompson inequality, a positive normal functional \(\phi\) is a trace if and only if \(\phi(e^{p+q})\leq\phi(e^{p/2}e^q e^{p/2})\) for all pairs of projections \(p,q\in\mathcal{B(H)}\). For part I, cf. [Russ. Math. 53, No. 12, 68--71 (2009); translation from Izv. Vyssh. Uchebn. Zaved., Mat. 2009, No. 12, 80--83 (2009; Zbl 1188.46038)].