Positive trace polynomials and the universal Procesi-Schacher conjecture

DOI10.1112/PLMS.12156zbMATH Open1433.16026arXiv1702.01753OpenAlexW2809291086WikidataQ123240471 ScholiaQ123240471MaRDI QIDQ4646236FDOQ4646236

Authors: Igor Klep, Špela Špenko, Jurij Volčič 

Publication date: 11 January 2019

Published in: Proceedings of the London Mathematical Society (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: Positivstellensatz is a fundamental result in real algebraic geometry providing algebraic certificates for positivity of polynomials on semialgebraic sets. In this article Positivstellens"atze for trace polynomials positive on semialgebraic sets of $nimesn$ matrices are provided. A Krivine-Stengle-type Positivstellensatz is proved characterizing trace polynomials nonnegative on a general semialgebraic set $K$ using weighted sums of hermitian squares with denominators. The weights in these certificates are obtained from generators of $K$ and traces of hermitian squares. For compact semialgebraic sets $K$ Schm"udgen- and Putinar-type Positivstellens"atze are obtained: every trace polynomial positive on $K$ has a sum of hermitian squares decomposition with weights and without denominators. The methods employed are inspired by invariant theory, classical real algebraic geometry and functional analysis. Procesi and Schacher in 1976 developed a theory of orderings and positivity on central simple algebras with involution and posed a Hilbert's 17th problem for a universal central simple algebra of degree $n$: is every totally positive element a sum of hermitian squares? They gave an affirmative answer for $n=2$. In this paper a negative answer for $n=3$ is presented. Consequently, including traces of hermitian squares as weights in the Positivstellens"atze is indispensable.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/1702.01753

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zbMATH Keywords

Hilbert's 17th problemPositivstellensätzeuniversal Procesi-Schacher conjecture

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Rings with involution; Lie, Jordan and other nonassociative structures (16W10) Semialgebraic sets and related spaces (14P10) Trace rings and invariant theory (associative rings and algebras) (16R30) Real algebra (13J30)

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