Every completely polynomially bounded operator is similar to a contraction (Q762426)

Some structure, representation and extension theorems for completely bounded maps between \(C^*\)-algebras are obtained. These results are applied to obtain a characterization of the completely bounded representations, on a Hilbert space, of any subalgebra of a \(C^*\)- algebra and to prove that a bounded operator on a Hilbert space is similar to a contraction if and only if it is completely polynomially bounded. The latter result leads to an equivalent formulation of problem 6 of \textit{P. R. Halmos} [Bull. Am. Math. Soc. 76, 877-933 (1970; Zbl 0204.150)] whether every polynomially bounded operator is completely polynomially bounded.