A characterization of maximum norms of commutators of positive contractions (Q950490)

Let \(B(H)_1^+\) denote the set of positive contractive operators on a Hilbert space \(H\). In [Pac.\ J.\ Math.\ 33, 737--747 (1970; Zbl 0197.10501)], \textit{J.\,G.\thinspace Stampfli} proved that given \(A,B\in B(H)_1^+\), \[ \| AB-BA\| \leq\frac12, \] and it is easily seen that this estimate is sharp. The authors analyze under what conditions there exist \(A,B\in B(H)_1^+\) such that \(\| AB-BA\| =1/2\). Concretely, they prove that \(\| AB-BA\| =1/2\) if and only if \(\frac{1+i}4\) is in the closure of the numerical range of \(AB\).