Quantum Information and Channels: A formalization blueprint

6 Schwarz Inequalities and Multiplicative Domains

This chapter develops the Schwarz-inequality theory of [ Wol12 , Chapter 5 ] : the Kadison–Schwarz inequality for Kraus maps and the multiplicative domain as a \(*\)-subalgebra on which the map restricts to a \(*\)-homomorphism. Trace adjoints, positive retractions, and the faithful-fixed-point form of peripheral Schwarz equality supply the operator-theoretic results used by the Fundamental Theorem of matrix product states (proved in TNLean). The \(k\)-positive and Schmidt-rank theory appears later in the full blueprint.

6.1 Kadison–Schwarz inequality

A linear map is completely positive (Definition 2.1.5) if and only if it has a Kraus form. The Kadison–Schwarz inequality and the multiplicative-domain characterisation are proved first for Kraus maps. The transfer map defined in (10) is the finite Kraus map of the same matrix family, so these results apply directly to transfer maps.

Definition 6.1.1 Kraus map
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Given operators \(\{ K_i\} _{i=0}^{d-1}\) with \(K_i \in M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\), the Kraus map is

\begin{align} E(X) & = \sum _{i=0}^{d-1} K_i X K_i^\dagger . \label{eq:schwarz_kraus_map} \end{align}

A linear map is completely positive (Definition 2.1.5) if and only if it can be written in this form, as in (1).

Definition 6.1.2 Adjoint Kraus map
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The adjoint Kraus map is

\begin{align} E^*(X) & = \sum _{i=0}^{d-1} K_i^\dagger X K_i. \label{eq:schwarz_kraus_adjoint} \end{align}

When the \(\{ K_i\} \) are the matrices of an MPS tensor \(A\), this is the transfer map of the conjugate-transposed family \(i \mapsto (A^i)^\dagger \).

Definition 6.1.3 Unital Kraus map
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A Kraus map is unital if \(\sum _{i=0}^{d-1} K_i K_i^\dagger = \mathbb {1}\). Equivalently, \(E(\mathbb {1}) = \mathbb {1}\).

Definition 6.1.4 Trace-preserving Kraus map
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A Kraus map is trace-preserving if \(\sum _{i=0}^{d-1} K_i^\dagger K_i = \mathbb {1}\). Equivalently, the adjoint Kraus map is unital. This is the standard MPS normalization condition. In the later gauge language it is the left-canonical condition, so Kadison–Schwarz arguments are often applied to the adjoint map.

Theorem 6.1.5 Kadison–Schwarz inequality

Let \(E(X) = \sum _i K_i X K_i^\dagger \) be a unital Kraus map, so that \(\sum _i K_i K_i^\dagger = \mathbb {1}\). Then, for every \(X \in M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\),

\begin{align} E(X^\dagger X) & \geq E(X)^\dagger E(X). \label{eq:schwarz_kadison} \end{align}

This is [ Wol12 , Equation (5.2) ] .

Proof

Set

\begin{align} v & = \begin{bmatrix} X^\dagger \\ \mathbb {1} \end{bmatrix}, \notag \\ vv^\dagger & = \begin{bmatrix} X^\dagger X & X^\dagger \\ X & \mathbb {1} \end{bmatrix} \geq 0. \notag \end{align}

Applying the unital completely positive map blockwise preserves positive semidefiniteness; unitality ensures that the \((2,2)\)-block maps to \(\mathbb {1}\). The Schur complement of this block gives (3).

Theorem 6.1.6 Operator-norm contraction of a unital Kraus map

Let \(E:M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\to M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\) be a Kraus map satisfying \(E(\mathbb {1})=\mathbb {1}\). Then, for every \(X\in M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\),

\begin{align} \| E(X)\| _\infty & \leq \| X\| _\infty . \label{eq:schwarz_unital_operator_contraction} \end{align}
Proof

The operator inequality \(X^\dagger X\leq \| X\| _\infty ^2\mathbb {1}\), positivity of \(E\), and unitality give \(E(X^\dagger X)\leq \| X\| _\infty ^2\mathbb {1}\). Combining this with (3) yields

\begin{align} E(X)^\dagger E(X) & \leq E(X^\dagger X) \leq \| X\| _\infty ^2\mathbb {1}. \notag \end{align}

The \(C^*\)-identity now gives \(\| E(X)\| _\infty ^2\leq \| X\| _\infty ^2\), which is (4).

Theorem 6.1.7 Eigenvalue bound for a unital Kraus map

Let \(E:M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\to M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\) be a Kraus map satisfying \(E(\mathbb {1})=\mathbb {1}\). Every eigenvalue \(\mu \) of \(E\) satisfies

\begin{align} |\mu | & \leq 1. \label{eq:schwarz_unital_eigenvalue_bound} \end{align}

This is the unital Kraus specialization of [ Wol12 , Proposition 6.1 ] .

Proof

Choose a nonzero matrix \(X\) such that \(E(X)=\mu X\). Then Theorem 6.1.6 gives \(|\mu |\| X\| _\infty =\| E(X)\| _\infty \leq \| X\| _\infty \). Since \(\| X\| _\infty {\gt}0\), division by this norm proves (5).

Theorem 6.1.8 Kadison–Schwarz for the adjoint channel

If \(\sum _i K_i^\dagger K_i = \mathbb {1}\), then the adjoint Kraus map satisfies, for every \(X \in M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\),

\begin{align} E^*(X^\dagger X) & \geq E^*(X)^\dagger E^*(X). \label{eq:schwarz_adjoint_kadison} \end{align}
Proof

The adjoint operators \(\{ K_i^\dagger \} \) satisfy \(\sum _i K_i^\dagger (K_i^\dagger )^\dagger = \sum _i K_i^\dagger K_i = \mathbb {1}\), so they form a unital family. Apply Theorem 6.1.5 to \(\{ K_i^\dagger \} \).

Theorem 6.1.9 Hilbert–Schmidt contraction

If a Kraus map is both unital and trace-preserving, then \(\operatorname{tr}(E(X)^\dagger E(X)) \le \operatorname{tr}(X^\dagger X)\) for all \(X \in M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\).

Proof

By (3), \(E(X^\dagger X) - E(X)^\dagger E(X) \ge 0\), so \(\operatorname{tr}(E(X^\dagger X)) \ge \operatorname{tr}(E(X)^\dagger E(X))\). Trace preservation gives \(\operatorname{tr}(E(X^\dagger X)) = \operatorname{tr}(X^\dagger X)\).

6.2 Multiplicative domain

Theorem 6.2.1 KS gap decomposition

For a unital Kraus map \(E\), the Kadison–Schwarz gap decomposes as

\begin{align} E(X^\dagger X)-E(X)^\dagger E(X) & = \sum _{i=0}^{d-1} R_i^\dagger R_i, \label{eq:schwarz_ks_gap}\\ R_i & := X K_i^\dagger -K_i^\dagger E(X). \label{eq:schwarz_ks_remainder} \end{align}
Proof

Expand the right-hand side of (7) using (8), distribute the products, and use unitality \(\sum _i K_i K_i^\dagger = \mathbb {1}\) to recover the Kadison–Schwarz gap.

Theorem 6.2.2 KS equality implies Kraus commutation

Let \(E\) be a unital Kraus map. If \(E(X^\dagger X) = E(X)^\dagger E(X)\) for some \(X\), then, for every \(i\),

\begin{align} X K_i^\dagger & = K_i^\dagger E(X). \label{eq:schwarz_kraus_relation} \end{align}
Proof

By (7), the vanishing Kadison–Schwarz gap is \(\sum _i R_i^\dagger R_i=0\), with \(R_i\) given by (8). Each summand is positive semidefinite, so each \(R_i\) vanishes. This gives (9).

Theorem 6.2.3 KS equality for peripheral eigenvectors

Let \(E\) be a Kraus map that is both unital and trace-preserving. If \(E(X) = \mu X\) with \(|\mu | = 1\), then the Kadison–Schwarz gap vanishes:

\begin{align} E(X^\dagger X) & = E(X)^\dagger E(X). \label{eq:schwarz_peripheral_equality} \end{align}
Proof

Set \(G:=E(X^\dagger X)-E(X)^\dagger E(X)\). By (3), \(G\geq 0\). Trace preservation, \(E(X)=\mu X\), and \(|\mu |=1\) give

\begin{align} \operatorname{tr}(G) & = \operatorname{tr}(E(X^\dagger X))-\operatorname{tr}(E(X)^\dagger E(X)) \notag \\ & = \operatorname{tr}(X^\dagger X)-|\mu |^2\operatorname{tr}(X^\dagger X) =0. \notag \end{align}

A positive semidefinite matrix with zero trace vanishes, which proves (10).

Theorem 6.2.4 Left multiplicative identity from KS equality

Let \(E\) be a unital Kraus map. If \(E(X^\dagger X) = E(X)^\dagger E(X)\), then, for every \(Y \in M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\),

\begin{align} E(X^\dagger Y) & = E(X)^\dagger E(Y). \label{eq:schwarz_left_multiplicative} \end{align}
Proof

By (9), \(X K_i^\dagger =K_i^\dagger E(X)\) for every \(i\). Taking conjugate transposes gives \(K_iX^\dagger =E(X)^\dagger K_i\). Therefore,

\begin{align} E(X^\dagger Y) & = \sum _i K_iX^\dagger YK_i^\dagger = \sum _i E(X)^\dagger K_iYK_i^\dagger = E(X)^\dagger E(Y). \notag \end{align}
Theorem 6.2.5 Right multiplicative identity from KS equality

Let \(E\) be a unital Kraus map. If \(E(X^\dagger X) = E(X)^\dagger E(X)\), then, for every \(Y \in M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\),

\begin{align} E(YX) & = E(Y)E(X). \label{eq:schwarz_right_multiplicative} \end{align}
Proof

By (9), \(X K_i^\dagger =K_i^\dagger E(X)\) for every \(i\). Hence

\begin{align} E(YX) & = \sum _i K_iYXK_i^\dagger = \sum _i K_iYK_i^\dagger E(X) = E(Y)E(X). \notag \end{align}

6.3 Trace adjoints and positive retractions

The trace-duality identities and positivity results behind the applications below are proved in Section 6.11. The density and rank-one support arguments for the retraction theorem are collected in Section 6.12.

Theorem 6.3.1 Positive retractions onto one matrix factor

Let \(m,d{\gt}0\), and let \(E:M_{md}(\mathbb {C})\to M_{md}(\mathbb {C})\) be a positive complex-linear map. Suppose that the image of \(E\) is contained in \(\mathbb {1}_m\otimes M_{d}(\mathbb {C})\) and that \(E(\mathbb {1}_m\otimes X)=\mathbb {1}_m\otimes X\) for every \(X\in M_{d}(\mathbb {C})\). Then there is a density matrix \(\rho \in M_{m}(\mathbb {C})\) such that, for every \(A\in M_{md}(\mathbb {C})\),

\begin{align} E(A) & =\mathbb {1}_m\otimes \operatorname{tr}_m\! \left((\rho \otimes \mathbb {1}_d)A\right). \label{eq:schwarz_positive_retraction_factor} \end{align}

This is the one-factor case of [ Wol12 , Proposition 1.5 and Equation (1.40) ] .

Proof

Let \(R(A)\) be the right tensor factor of \(E(A)\), so that \(E(A)=\mathbb {1}_m\otimes R(A)\). For \(Y\geq 0\) and \(P_\psi =|\psi \rangle \! \langle \psi |\), the inequality \(Y\leq \operatorname{tr}(Y)\mathbb {1}_m\) and positivity give

\begin{align} 0 & \leq R(Y\otimes P_\psi ) \leq \operatorname{tr}(Y)P_\psi . \notag \end{align}

By Lemma 6.12.2, for each \(v\in \mathbb {C}^d\) there is a scalar \(c_v\) such that \(R(Y\otimes P_v)=c_vP_v\). By Theorem 6.12.3, applied to the map \(X\mapsto R(Y\otimes X)\), there is a scalar \(c_Y\) such that \(R(Y\otimes X)=c_YX\) for every \(X\in M_{d}(\mathbb {C})\).

Fix a coordinate projection \(P_0\) and define \(f(Y)=R(Y\otimes P_0)_{00}\). Rank-one polarization gives \(R(Y\otimes X)=f(Y)X\) for all \(Y\in M_{m}(\mathbb {C})\) and \(X\in M_{d}(\mathbb {C})\). Positivity of \(R\) gives \(f(Y)\geq 0\) when \(Y\geq 0\), and the retraction property gives \(f(\mathbb {1}_m)=1\). Theorem 6.12.1 therefore supplies a density matrix \(\rho \) satisfying \(f(Y)=\operatorname{tr}(\rho Y)\).

Finally, on simple tensors,

\begin{align} \operatorname{tr}_m\! \left((\rho \otimes \mathbb {1}_d)(Y\otimes X)\right) & =\operatorname{tr}(\rho Y)X =R(Y\otimes X). \notag \end{align}

Since matrix units are simple tensors, linearity proves (13) for every \(A\in M_{md}(\mathbb {C})\).

Theorem 6.3.2 Positive retractions onto finite-dimensional star-algebras

Let \(S\subseteq M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\) be a unital \(*\)-subalgebra, and let \(E:M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\to M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\) be a positive complex-linear map whose image lies in \(S\) and whose restriction to \(S\) is the identity. There are positive integers \(d_k,m_k\), a unitary \(U\), and density matrices \(\rho _k\in M_{m_k}(\mathbb {C})\) such that

\begin{align} U^*SU & =\bigoplus _k \mathbb {1}_{m_k}\otimes M_{d_k}(\mathbb {C}), \label{eq:schwarz_star_algebra_blocks} \end{align}

and, for every \(A\in M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\),

\begin{align} E(A) & =U\left(\bigoplus _k \mathbb {1}_{m_k}\otimes \operatorname{tr}_{m_k}\! \left((\rho _k\otimes \mathbb {1}_{d_k})(U^*AU)_{kk}\right)\right)U^*. \label{eq:schwarz_star_algebra_retraction} \end{align}

Equivalently, cyclicity of the partial trace permits the factor \(\rho _k\otimes \mathbb {1}_{d_k}\) to be placed on the right of \((U^*AU)_{kk}\). This is [ Wol12 , Proposition 1.5 and Equation (1.40) ] .

Proof

The standard finite-dimensional Wedderburn theorem in [ Wol12 , Proposition 1.5 ] supplies \(U\) and the block form (14). Conjugate by \(U\) to identify the ambient space with \(\bigoplus _k\mathbb {C}^{m_k}\otimes \mathbb {C}^{d_k}\). Let \(P_k\) be the central projection onto the \(k\)-th summand and let \(T_k\) be the \(k\)-th diagonal block of the conjugated map. Since \(T_k(\mathbb {1}-P_k)=0\), positivity implies \(T_k((\mathbb {1}-P_k)A)=T_k(A(\mathbb {1}-P_k))=0\). Hence \(T_k(A)=T_k(P_kAP_k)\). The restriction to the \(k\)-th diagonal summand is a positive retraction onto \(\mathbb {1}_{m_k}\otimes M_{d_k}(\mathbb {C})\), so the one-factor theorem gives the density matrix \(\rho _k\). Taking the direct sum and conjugating back proves (15). Entrywise expansion of the partial trace gives

\begin{align} \operatorname{tr}_{m_k}((\rho _k\otimes \mathbb {1})A_{kk}) & =\operatorname{tr}_{m_k}(A_{kk}(\rho _k\otimes \mathbb {1})). \notag \end{align}

6.4 Douglas-type factorization

Theorem 6.4.1 Range inclusion implies right factorization

If \(\operatorname{ran}(A) \subseteq \operatorname{ran}(B)\), then there exists \(C\) such that \(A = B C\).

Proof

In finite dimensions, \(\operatorname{ran}(A) \subseteq \operatorname{ran}(B)\) implies \(A=B(B^\dagger B)^\dagger B^\dagger A\), where \((B^\dagger B)^\dagger \) denotes the Moore–Penrose pseudoinverse. Set \(C=(B^\dagger B)^\dagger B^\dagger A\).

Theorem 6.4.2 Vectorwise range criterion implies factorization

If \(A v \in \operatorname{ran}(B)\) for every vector \(v\), then there exists \(C\) with \(A = B C\).

Proof

The pointwise hypothesis is exactly \(\operatorname{ran}(A)\subseteq \operatorname{ran}(B)\). Apply the preceding range-inclusion factorization theorem.

6.5 Peripheral Schwarz equality with a faithful fixed point

Let \(E\) be unital and let \(E^*\) be trace-preserving with a positive definite fixed point \(\rho {\gt} 0\). If \(E(X) = \mu X\) with \(|\mu | = 1\), then \(E(X^\dagger X) = E(X)^\dagger E(X)\).

Proof

Define the Kadison–Schwarz gap \(G=E(X^\dagger X)-E(X)^\dagger E(X)\). By Theorem 6.1.5, \(G\succeq 0\). The adjointness identity of Lemma 6.13.1, the fixed-point equation \(E^*(\rho )=\rho \), the eigenvalue equation \(E(X)=\mu X\), and \(|\mu |=1\) give

\begin{align} \operatorname{tr}(\rho G) & =\operatorname{tr}(\rho E(X^\dagger X)) -\operatorname{tr}(\rho E(X)^\dagger E(X)) \notag \\ & =\operatorname{tr}(E^*(\rho )X^\dagger X) -\operatorname{tr}(\rho (\mu X)^\dagger (\mu X)) \notag \\ & =\operatorname{tr}(\rho X^\dagger X) -|\mu |^2\operatorname{tr}(\rho X^\dagger X) =0. \notag \end{align}

Since \(\rho {\gt}0\) and \(G\succeq 0\), Lemma 6.13.2 yields \(G=0\), which is the asserted equality.

6.6 Douglas Factorization

Theorem 6.6.1 Douglas factorisation
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Let \(A, B \in M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\). The following are equivalent:

  1. \(\operatorname{range}(A) \subseteq \operatorname{range}(B)\),

  2. \(A A^\dagger \le \mu B B^\dagger \) for some \(\mu \ge 0\),

  3. \(A = B C\) for some \(C \in M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\).

Definition 6.6.2 Pseudoinverse
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The Moore-Penrose pseudoinverse \(B^+\) is defined via the support-generalised inverse of \(B B^\dagger \): \(B^+ := B^\dagger \cdot (B B^\dagger )^{-1}_{\mathrm{supp}}\).

Lemma 6.6.3 Pseudoinverse-factorization identity
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\(B \cdot B^+ = P_{\mathrm{supp}}(B B^\dagger )\), where \(P_{\mathrm{supp}}(X)\) denotes the support projection of \(X\) (the orthogonal projection onto the range of \(X\)).

Theorem 6.6.4 Explicit factorization via pseudoinverse

If \(\operatorname{range}(A) \subseteq \operatorname{range}(B)\), then \(A = B \cdot (B^+ A)\).

Theorem 6.6.5 Uniqueness of the pseudoinverse factorization
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If \(A = B C_1 = B C_2\) and \(\operatorname{range}(C_1), \operatorname{range}(C_2) \subseteq \operatorname{range}(B^\dagger )\), then \(C_1 = C_2\). In particular, \(C = B^+ A\) is the unique such factor.

Theorem 6.6.6 Norm-minimal factorization
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For every factorisation \(A = B C\), the pseudoinverse witness attains the minimal operator norm: \(\| B^+ A\| \le \| C\| \).

6.7 Block Schur Complements

Let \(P \in M_{D_1}(\mathbb {C})\) and \(R \in M_{D_2}(\mathbb {C})\) be positive semidefinite, and let \(Q \in M_{D_1,D_2}(\mathbb {C})\). The following are equivalent:

  1. The block matrix \(\begin{pmatrix} P & Q \\ Q^\dagger & R \end{pmatrix}\) is positive semidefinite.

  2. One has \(\ker (R)\subseteq \ker (Q)\) and \(P\geq QR^+Q^\dagger \).

  3. One has \(\ker (R)\subseteq \ker (Q)\), \(\ker (P)\subseteq \ker (Q^\dagger )\), and \(Q=P^{1/2}KR^{1/2}\) for the canonical support contraction \(K\), with \(\lVert K\rVert _\infty \leq 1\).

Here \(R^+\) denotes the pseudoinverse. The second support condition in the third clause is necessary in the singular case and is absent from the printed statement of Wolf’s Theorem 5.2.

Definition 6.7.2 Block matrix
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A \(2 \times 2\) block matrix \(\begin{pmatrix} P & Q \\ Q^\dagger & R \end{pmatrix}\) indexed by \(\{ 0,\ldots ,D_1{-}1\} \oplus \{ 0,\ldots ,D_2{-}1\} \).

Lemma 6.7.3 Hermiticity of the block matrix

If \(P\) and \(R\) are Hermitian, then the block matrix \(\begin{pmatrix} P & Q \\ Q^\dagger & R \end{pmatrix}\) is Hermitian.

Definition 6.7.4 Schur complement
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The pseudoinverse Schur complement \(P - Q R^+ Q^\dagger \).

6.8 Additional results on multiplicative domains and order

6.8.1 Abstract Schwarz maps and their multiplicative domains

Definition 6.8.1.1 Schwarz inequality for a linear map
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A complex-linear map \(E:M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\to M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\) satisfies the Schwarz inequality if, for every \(A\in M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\),

\begin{align} E(A^\dagger A)-E(A^\dagger )E(A) & \succeq 0. \label{eq:schwarz_abstract_inequality} \end{align}

This is [ Wol12 , Equation (5.2) ] .

Definition 6.8.1.2 Abstract one-sided multiplicative domains

For a complex-linear map \(E:M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\to M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\), set

\begin{align} \mathcal{A}_R(E) & =\{ A:E(XA)=E(X)E(A)\text{ for every }X\} , \notag \\ \mathcal{A}_L(E) & =\{ A:E(AX)=E(A)E(X)\text{ for every }X\} , \notag \\ \mathcal{A}(E) & =\mathcal{A}_R(E)\cap \mathcal{A}_L(E). \notag \end{align}

These are [ Wol12 , Equations (5.11)–(5.12) ] , with the source’s convention that the subscript records the side on which \(A\) multiplies the varying matrix.

If \(E\) satisfies the Schwarz inequality, then

\begin{align} A\in \mathcal{A}_R(E) & \quad \Longleftrightarrow \quad E(A^\dagger A)=E(A^\dagger )E(A), \notag \\ A\in \mathcal{A}_L(E) & \quad \Longleftrightarrow \quad E(AA^\dagger )=E(A)E(A^\dagger ). \notag \end{align}

Consequently, \(A\in \mathcal{A}(E)\) exactly when both equalities hold. This is [ Wol12 , Equations (5.13)–(5.14) ] .

Proof

Suppose first that equality holds at \(A^\dagger A\). Apply (16) to \(A+tY\) and \(A+itY\) for real \(t\). Set

\begin{align} L & =E(A^\dagger Y)-E(A^\dagger )E(Y), \notag \\ R & =E(Y^\dagger A)-E(Y^\dagger )E(A), \notag \\ Q & =E(Y^\dagger Y)-E(Y^\dagger )E(Y)\succeq 0. \notag \end{align}

Expansion and the equality at \(A^\dagger A\) give, for every real \(t\),

\begin{align} t(L+R)+t^2Q & \succeq 0, \notag \\ it(L-R)+t^2Q & \succeq 0. \notag \end{align}

Nonnegativity for both signs of every real parameter forces \(L+R=0\) and \(L-R=0\). Hence \(L=R=0\), which is precisely

\begin{align} E(A^\dagger Y) & =E(A^\dagger )E(Y), \notag \\ E(Y^\dagger A) & =E(Y^\dagger )E(A). \notag \end{align}

Replacing \(Y\) by \(X^\dagger \) yields \(E(XA)=E(X)E(A)\). The second characterization follows by applying the same argument to \(A^\dagger \). The converse implications follow by evaluating the defining product identities at \(A^\dagger \).

Theorem 6.8.1.4 Kraus maps satisfy the abstract Schwarz inequality

Every unital Kraus map satisfies the abstract Schwarz inequality of Definition 6.8.1.1.

Proof

A Kraus map preserves adjoints. The Kadison–Schwarz inequality (3) therefore gives, for every \(A\in M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\),

\begin{align} E(A^\dagger A)-E(A^\dagger )E(A) & =E(A^\dagger A)-E(A)^\dagger E(A)\succeq 0. \notag \end{align}

6.8.2 Kraus specialization and full algebraic structure

Definition 6.8.2.1 Right and left multiplicative domains

For a Kraus map \(E\), define

\begin{align} \mathcal{A}_R(E) & :=\{ X\in M_{D}(\mathbb {C}):\forall Y\in M_{D}(\mathbb {C}), E(XY)=E(X)E(Y)\} , \notag \\ \mathcal{A}_L(E) & :=\{ X\in M_{D}(\mathbb {C}):\forall Y\in M_{D}(\mathbb {C}), E(YX)=E(Y)E(X)\} . \notag \end{align}

We follow the convention that \(\mathcal{A}_R(E)\) controls right multiplication and \(\mathcal{A}_L(E)\) controls left multiplication. These are Kraus-map specializations of the preceding abstract domains, with the names interchanged: here the subscript records the side on which the varying factor is appended, whereas the preceding convention records the side occupied by the fixed element.

Definition 6.8.2.2 Full multiplicative domain
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The multiplicative domain of \(E\) is \(\mathcal{A}(E):=\mathcal{A}_R(E)\cap \mathcal{A}_L(E)\).

Remark 6.8.2.3 Comparison of the two naming conventions
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Write \(\mathcal{A}_R^{\mathrm W},\mathcal{A}_L^{\mathrm W}\) for Wolf’s convention and \(\mathcal{A}_R^{\mathrm K},\mathcal{A}_L^{\mathrm K}\) for the Kraus convention of this subsection. For the linear map associated with a Kraus family,

\begin{align} \mathcal{A}_R^{\mathrm W} & =\mathcal{A}_L^{\mathrm K}, \notag \\ \mathcal{A}_L^{\mathrm W} & =\mathcal{A}_R^{\mathrm K}, \notag \\ \mathcal{A}^{\mathrm W} & =\mathcal{A}^{\mathrm K}. \notag \end{align}

Let \(E\) be a unital Kraus map. Then

\begin{align} X\in \mathcal{A}_R(E) & \quad \Longleftrightarrow \quad E(XX^\dagger )=E(X)E(X)^\dagger , \notag \\ X\in \mathcal{A}_L(E) & \quad \Longleftrightarrow \quad E(X^\dagger X)=E(X)^\dagger E(X). \notag \end{align}

Together these are the Kraus-map specialization of Theorem 6.8.1.3.

Proof

If \(X\) lies in a one-sided multiplicative domain, evaluate the defining identity at \(Y=X^\dagger \). Conversely, the left-domain implication is exactly Theorem 6.2.4, and the right-domain implication follows by applying Theorem 6.2.4 to \(X^\dagger \).

For a unital Kraus map \(E\), both \(\mathcal{A}_R(E)\) and \(\mathcal{A}_L(E)\) are unital subalgebras of \(M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\).

Proof

Closure under addition follows from linearity of \(E\). For closure under multiplication, if \(X,Y\in \mathcal{A}_R(E)\), then \(E((XY)Z)=E(X)E(YZ)=E(X)E(Y)E(Z)\) for all \(Z\), using Theorem 6.8.2.4 iteratively; the \(\mathcal{A}_L(E)\) case is analogous. Containment of \(\mathbb {1}\) follows from unitality of \(E\).

Theorem 6.8.2.6 Multiplicative domain is a \(*\)-subalgebra

For a unital Kraus map \(E\), the full multiplicative domain \(\mathcal{A}(E)\) is a \(*\)-subalgebra of \(M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\). This is the algebraic content of [ Wol12 , Theorem 5.7 ] .

Proof

If \(X\in \mathcal{A}(E)=\mathcal{A}_R(E)\cap \mathcal{A}_L(E)\), then

\begin{align} E(X^\dagger X) & =E(X)^\dagger E(X), \notag \\ E(XX^\dagger ) & =E(X)E(X)^\dagger . \notag \end{align}

The characterization of Theorem 6.8.2.4 shows that \(X^\dagger \in \mathcal{A}(E)\). Combined with Theorem 6.8.2.5, this gives a \(*\)-subalgebra.

Theorem 6.8.2.7 Restriction to multiplicative domain is a \(*\)-homomorphism

If \(E\) is unital, then the restricted map \(E|_{\mathcal{A}(E)}:\mathcal{A}(E)\to M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\) is a \(*\)-algebra homomorphism. This is the homomorphism conclusion of [ Wol12 , Theorem 5.7 ] .

Proof

Multiplicativity on \(\mathcal{A}(E)\) follows from the definition. For \(X\in \mathcal{A}(E)\), the Kraus commutation relation (9), its adjoint, and unitality give \(E(X^\dagger )=E(X)^\dagger \), so the restriction preserves adjoints.

6.8.3 Positive maps preserve order and spectral intervals

The elementary order-preservation results used below are proved in Section 6.11.

Theorem 6.8.3.1 Order intervals are preserved

Let \(T:M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\to M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\) be positive with \(T(\mathbb {1})\le \mathbb {1}\). If \(a\le 0\le b\) and \(a\mathbb {1}\le A\le b\mathbb {1}\), then

\begin{align} a\mathbb {1}& \le T(A)\le b\mathbb {1}. \label{eq:schwarz_order_interval} \end{align}

This is the matrix form of [ Wol12 , Equation (5.21) ] .

Proof

By Theorem 6.11.1, \(T(a\mathbb {1})\le T(A)\le T(b\mathbb {1})\). For the lower bound, \(T(a\mathbb {1})=aT(\mathbb {1})\). Since \(a\le 0\) and \(T(\mathbb {1})\le \mathbb {1}\), one has \(aT(\mathbb {1})\ge a\mathbb {1}\). For the upper bound, \(T(b\mathbb {1})=bT(\mathbb {1})\le b\mathbb {1}\) since \(b\ge 0\). These bounds give (17).

Theorem 6.8.3.2 Spectral interval contractivity

Let \(T:M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\to M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\) be positive with \(T(\mathbb {1})\le \mathbb {1}\), and let \(A\in M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\) be Hermitian. If \(\operatorname{spec}(A)\subseteq [a,b]\) with \(a\le 0\le b\), then

\begin{align} \operatorname{spec}(T(A)) & \subseteq [a,b]. \notag \end{align}

This is [ Wol12 , Equation (5.21) ] .

Proof

For Hermitian matrices, the inclusion \(\operatorname{spec}(A)\subseteq [a,b]\) is equivalent to the order bounds \(a\mathbb {1}\le A\le b\mathbb {1}\). Apply Theorem 6.8.3.1 and translate (17) back into spectral bounds.

6.8.4 Weyl monotonicity and unitary comparison

Theorem 6.8.4.1 Weyl monotonicity in the Loewner order

Let \(A,B\in M_{d}(\mathbb {C})\) be Hermitian. If \(A\leq B\), then their decreasingly ordered eigenvalues satisfy

\begin{align} \lambda _j^\downarrow (A) & \leq \lambda _j^\downarrow (B) \qquad (0\leq j{\lt}d). \label{eq:schwarz_weyl_monotonicity} \end{align}

This is the consequence of [ Wol12 , Equation (5.56) ] used immediately before Proposition 5.3.

Proof

Let \(S\) and \(T\) be the symmetric endomorphisms associated with \(A\) and \(B\). Fix \(j\), let \(P\) be the span of the first \(j+1\) eigenvectors of \(S\), and let \(Q\) be the span of the last \(d-j\) eigenvectors of \(T\). Since \(\dim P+\dim Q=d+1\), there is a nonzero vector \(x\in P\cap Q\). The two ordered spectral expansions and positivity of \(T-S\) give

\begin{align} \lambda _j^\downarrow (A)\lVert x\rVert ^2 & \leq \operatorname {Re}\langle Sx,x\rangle \leq \operatorname {Re}\langle Tx,x\rangle \leq \lambda _j^\downarrow (B)\lVert x\rVert ^2. \notag \end{align}

Division by \(\lVert x\rVert ^2{\gt}0\) proves (18).

Theorem 6.8.4.2 Unitary comparison for non-decreasing functions

Let \(A,B\in M_{d}(\mathbb {C})\) be Hermitian. The corrected form of [ Wol12 , Proposition 5.3 and Equation (5.57) ] is, with \(\mathcal U(d)\) denoting the unitary matrices,

\begin{align} A\leq B\quad \Longrightarrow \quad \exists U\in \mathcal U(d)\quad & \forall I\subseteq \mathbb {R}\ \forall f:\mathbb {R}\to \mathbb {R}, \notag \\ & \Bigl(I\text{ is an interval}\Bigr)\ \land \Bigl(\operatorname{spec}(A)\cup \operatorname{spec}(B)\subseteq I\Bigr) \notag \\ & \land \ \Bigl(f\text{ is non-decreasing on }I\Bigr) \notag \\ & \Longrightarrow f(A)\leq U f(B)U^\dagger . \label{eq:schwarz_unitary_comparison} \end{align}

In particular, the unitary is chosen before the interval and the function; it depends only on \(A\) and \(B\). No continuity hypothesis on \(f\) is required, since both spectra are finite.

Proof

Choose unitary eigenvector matrices \(V_A,V_B\) in decreasing eigenvalue order and set \(U=V_AV_B^\dagger \). By (18) and monotonicity of \(f\),

\begin{align} f\bigl(\lambda _j^\downarrow (A)\bigr) & \leq f\bigl(\lambda _j^\downarrow (B)\bigr) \qquad (0\leq j{\lt}d). \notag \end{align}

Hence the corresponding diagonal matrices are ordered. Conjugating this inequality by \(V_A\) and using \(U=V_AV_B^\dagger \) gives (19). The cross-matrix eigenvalue comparison used here is Theorem 6.8.4.1, proved by the preceding variational argument; it is not assumed separately.

Remark 6.8.4.3 Necessity of the order hypothesis
#

Wolf’s printed proposition omits \(A\leq B\) and is false in that form. In dimension \(d=1\), take \(A=[1]\), \(B=[0]\), \(I=[0,1]\), and \(f(x)=x\). Every unitary is a scalar phase, so \(Uf(B)U^\dagger =0\), whereas (19) without its order hypothesis would assert \(1\leq 0\). The correction is recorded in [ con26c ] .

6.9 Positive Schwarz maps outside complete positivity

The following example shows that the Schwarz inequality does not force complete positivity.

6.9.1 A positive Schwarz map that is not completely positive

Example 6.9.1.1 Transpose-trace map on \(M_{2}(\mathbb {C})\)
#

Consider the linear map \(T : M_{2}(\mathbb {C}) \to M_{2}(\mathbb {C})\) defined by

\begin{align} T(A) & =\frac{1}{2} A^T+\frac{1}{4}\operatorname{tr}(A)\mathbb {1}. \notag \end{align}

This is the map from [ Wol12 , Example 5.3 ] .

Theorem 6.9.1.2 The transpose-trace map is positive

The map from Example 6.9.1.1 is positive.

Proof

It is a non-negative linear combination of the transpose map and the map \(A \mapsto \operatorname{tr}(A) \mathbb {1}\), and both of these maps send positive semidefinite matrices to positive semidefinite matrices.

Theorem 6.9.1.3 The transpose-trace map satisfies the Schwarz inequality
#

For every \(A \in M_{2}(\mathbb {C})\), \(T(A^\dagger A)-T(A^\dagger )T(A)\ge 0\), where \(T\) is the map from Example 6.9.1.1.

Proof

Write the Schwarz gap as \(F(A)\). One checks that \(F(A + \lambda \mathbb {1}) = F(A)\) for every scalar \(\lambda \), so it is enough to treat the case \(\operatorname{tr}(A) = 0\). In that case a direct \(2 \times 2\) computation shows that \(F(A)\) dominates \(\frac{1}{2} (A^\dagger A)^T\), hence is positive semidefinite.

Theorem 6.9.1.4 The transpose-trace map is not completely positive
#

The map from Example 6.9.1.1 is not completely positive.

Proof

Compute the Choi matrix of \(T\) and test it on the antisymmetric vector \(|01\rangle - |10\rangle \). The resulting expectation value is negative, so the Choi matrix is not positive semidefinite.

6.9.2 Two-variable operator Schwarz inequality

Lemma 6.9.2.1 Two-variable operator Schwarz inequality, conditional form

Let \(E:M_{D_{\rm in}}(\mathbb {C})\to M_{D_{\rm out}}(\mathbb {C})\) be a \(2\)-positive complex-linear map. For every \(A,B\in M_{D_{\rm in}}(\mathbb {C})\) and all \(v,w\in \mathbb C^{D_{\rm out}}\) such that \(E(B^\dagger B)\, w = E(B^\dagger A)\, v\), we have

\begin{align} v^\dagger \, E(A^\dagger A)\, v & \ge v^\dagger \, E(A^\dagger B)\, w. \notag \end{align}

This is the pseudoinverse-free form of [ Wol12 , Eq. (5.4) ] : the usual statement \(E(A^\dagger B)\, E(B^\dagger B)^{-1}E(B^\dagger A)\le E(A^\dagger A)\) (with inverse taken on the range) follows by taking \(w = E(B^\dagger B)^{+}E(B^\dagger A)\, v\).

Proof

Write \(C\) for the horizontal concatenation \([A\; B]\). The block matrix \(C^\dagger C\) is positive semidefinite. Applying the \(2\)-positive ampliation entrywise yields the PSD block matrix \(\bigl[\begin{smallmatrix} E(A^\dagger A) & E(A^\dagger B) \\ E(B^\dagger A) & E(B^\dagger B) \end{smallmatrix}\bigr]\). Evaluating the PSD quadratic form on the vector \((v,-w)\) and using the side condition \(E(B^\dagger B)w = E(B^\dagger A)v\) to cancel the off-diagonal and diagonal terms yields \(v^\dagger E(A^\dagger A)v - v^\dagger E(A^\dagger B)w \ge 0\).

Theorem 6.9.2.2 Conjugate-transpose identity

Let \(E:M_{D_{\rm in}}(\mathbb {C})\to M_{D_{\rm out}}(\mathbb {C})\) be a \(2\)-positive complex-linear map. For every \(A,B\in M_{D_{\rm in}}(\mathbb {C})\),

\begin{align} E(B^\dagger A) & = E(A^\dagger B)^\dagger . \notag \end{align}
Proof

A \(2\)-positive map is positive, and positive maps preserve adjoints. Applying this to \(A^\dagger B\) and using \((A^\dagger B)^\dagger = B^\dagger A\) gives the identity.

Theorem 6.9.2.3 Kernel inclusion for the two-variable Schwarz inequality

Let \(E:M_{D_{\rm in}}(\mathbb {C})\to M_{D_{\rm out}}(\mathbb {C})\) be a \(2\)-positive complex-linear map. For every \(A,B\in M_{D_{\rm in}}(\mathbb {C})\), \(\ker (E(B^\dagger B))\subseteq \ker (E(A^\dagger B))\) as subspaces of \(\mathbb C^{D_{\rm out}}\).

Proof

Rewrite \(E(B^\dagger A)\) as \(E(A^\dagger B)^\dagger \) (Lemma 6.9.2.2) in the ampliated PSD block matrix \(\bigl[\begin{smallmatrix} E(A^\dagger A) & E(A^\dagger B) \\ E(B^\dagger A) & E(B^\dagger B) \end{smallmatrix}\bigr]\) from the proof of Lemma 6.9.2.1: if \(E(B^\dagger B)y=0\) then testing the PSD quadratic form on \((0,y)\) forces \(E(A^\dagger B)y=0\).

Theorem 6.9.2.4 Pseudoinverse range-inclusion witness

Let \(E:M_{D_{\rm in}}(\mathbb {C})\to M_{D_{\rm out}}(\mathbb {C})\) be a \(2\)-positive complex-linear map. For every \(A,B\in M_{D_{\rm in}}(\mathbb {C})\),

\begin{align} E(B^\dagger B)\bigl(E(B^\dagger B)^{+}E(B^\dagger A)\bigr) & = E(B^\dagger A). \notag \end{align}
Proof

The kernel inclusion \(\ker (E(B^\dagger B))\subseteq \ker (E(A^\dagger B))\) (Lemma 6.9.2.3) gives, after taking adjoints, that the support projection of \(E(B^\dagger B)\) absorbs \(E(B^\dagger A)\) on the left. Since \(E(B^\dagger B)E(B^\dagger B)^{+}\) is exactly that support projection, the displayed identity follows.

Theorem 6.9.2.5 Rectangular two-variable operator Schwarz inequality

Let \(E:M_{D_{\rm in}}(\mathbb {C})\to M_{D_{\rm out}}(\mathbb {C})\) be a \(2\)-positive complex-linear map. For every \(A,B\in M_{D_{\rm in}}(\mathbb {C})\),

\begin{align} E(A^\dagger B)\, E(B^\dagger B)^{+}\, E(B^\dagger A) & \le E(A^\dagger A), \notag \end{align}

where \((\cdot )^+\) is the Moore–Penrose pseudoinverse, i.e. the inverse taken on the range. No vector witness is assumed to exist.

Proof

For every \(v\), the vector \(w = E(B^\dagger B)^{+}E(B^\dagger A)\, v\) satisfies the side condition \(E(B^\dagger B)\, w = E(B^\dagger A)\, v\) of the conditional lemma (Lemma 6.9.2.1): this is exactly Lemma 6.9.2.4 evaluated at \(v\). The kernel inclusion \(\ker (E(B^\dagger B))\subseteq \ker (E(A^\dagger B))\), obtained from the ampliated PSD block matrix of the conditional lemma’s proof, gives \(\operatorname {ran}(E(B^\dagger A))\subseteq \operatorname {ran}(E(B^\dagger B))\), so the pseudoinverse is a genuine right-inverse witness for \(E(B^\dagger A)\) on the support of \(E(B^\dagger B)\). Applying the conditional lemma with this \(w\) for every \(v\) gives the displayed matrix inequality.

Theorem 6.9.2.6 Wolf’s operator Schwarz inequality

Let \(E=T^*:M_{D_{\rm in}}(\mathbb {C})\to M_{D_{\rm out}}(\mathbb {C})\) be a positive complex-linear map. If \(T:M_{D_{\rm out}}(\mathbb {C})\to M_{D_{\rm in}}(\mathbb {C})\) is \(2\)-positive, then for all \(A,B\in M_{D_{\rm in}}(\mathbb {C})\),

\begin{align} E(A^\dagger B)\, E(B^\dagger B)^{+}\, E(B^\dagger A) & \le E(A^\dagger A). \notag \end{align}

This is exactly [ Wol12 , Theorem 5.3 and Eq. (5.4) ] , with the inverse taken on the range.

Proof

By trace-adjoint invariance of \(2\)-positivity, Theorem 4.3.2, the map \(E=T^*\) is itself \(2\)-positive. Apply Theorem 6.9.2.5.

Definition 6.9.2.7 Per-\(B\) Schwarz hypothesis

A complex-linear map \(E:M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\to M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\) and a fixed \(B\in M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\) satisfy the per-\(B\) Schwarz hypothesis when

\begin{align} E(A^\dagger B)\, E(B^\dagger B)^{+}\, E(B^\dagger A) & \le E(A^\dagger A) \notag \end{align}

for every \(A\in M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\). A \(2\)-positive map satisfies this for every \(B\) (Theorem 6.9.2.5).

Definition 6.9.2.8 Equality-attaining set

For a fixed \(B\), the set \(\mathcal{A}_B\subseteq M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\) of \(A\)’s for which equality is attained in the two-variable operator Schwarz inequality:

\begin{align} E(A^\dagger B)\, E(B^\dagger B)^{+}\, E(B^\dagger A) & = E(A^\dagger A). \notag \end{align}
Theorem 6.9.2.9 Vanishing linear coefficient of a nonnegative matrix quadratic

Let \(m\) be finite and \(B,D\in M_{m}(\mathbb {C})\). If \(tB+t^2D\) is positive semidefinite for every \(t\in \mathbb R\), then \(B=0\).

Proof

Testing the quadratic form on a vector \(x\) reduces to the scalar statement: if \(tb+t^2d\ge 0\) for every real \(t\), where \(b=x^\dagger Bx\) and \(d=x^\dagger Dx\ge 0\), then \(b=0\). Evaluating at \(t=\pm 1\) forces \(d\ge 0\); evaluating at \(t=-\operatorname {Re}(b)/(d+1)\) and completing the square forces \(\operatorname {Re}(b)=0\), and comparing the imaginary parts at \(t=\pm 1\) forces \(\operatorname {Im}(b)=0\). Since this holds for every \(x\), \(B=0\) by polarization.

Theorem 6.9.2.10 Equality in the operator Schwarz inequality

Let \(E:M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\to M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\) be a positive linear map such that, for a given \(B\in M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\), the per-\(B\) Schwarz hypothesis holds (Definition 6.9.2.7). Then for every \(A\in \mathcal{A}_B\) (Definition 6.9.2.8) and every \(X\in M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\),

\begin{align} E(A^\dagger B)\, E(B^\dagger B)^{+}\, E(B^\dagger X) & = E(A^\dagger X). \notag \end{align}

This is the source’s equality theorem, local source Notes/WolfNoteTexSource/ch05_schwarz_inequalities.tex, line 198.

Proof

Write \(Q(U,V) = E(U^\dagger V) - E(U^\dagger B)E(B^\dagger B)^+E(B^\dagger V)\); the per-\(B\) hypothesis is \(Q(U,U)\ge 0\) for every \(U\), and \(A\in \mathcal{A}_B\) means \(Q(A,A)=0\). Applying the hypothesis to \(A + cX\) for \(c\in \mathbb C\) and expanding bilinearly gives

\begin{align} Q(A+cX,A+cX) & = c\, Q(A,X) + \overline{c}\, Q(X,A) + \overline{c}c\, Q(X,X) \ge 0. \notag \end{align}

Taking \(c=t\in \mathbb R\) and applying Lemma 6.9.2.9 to the linear coefficient \(Q(A,X)+Q(X,A)\) and the fixed nonnegative quadratic coefficient \(Q(X,X)\) shows \(Q(A,X)+Q(X,A)\) vanishes; taking \(c=tI\) and applying the same lemma to \(I\, Q(A,X) - I\, Q(X,A)\) shows this also vanishes. Combining the two gives \(Q(A,X)=0\), which is the displayed identity.

Corollary 6.9.2.11 Converse of the equality criterion

If the identity of Theorem 6.9.2.10 holds for every \(X\in M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\), then \(A\in \mathcal{A}_B\). This is immediate from the theorem by specializing at \(X=A\); the source states only the forward direction.

6.10 Schwarz Inequalities and Multiplicative Domains

This section collects the elementary order, trace-duality, rank-one, and weighted-trace arguments used earlier in this chapter.

6.11 Trace duality and elementary order preservation

Let \(T\) denote a positive linear map between matrix algebras. For a linear map \(E:M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\to M_{D'}(\mathbb {C})\), write \(E^*\) for the trace-pairing adjoint of Definition 2.5.1. The results below supply the order step in Theorem 6.8.3.1 and the trace duality used by the positive-retraction and fixed-point arguments.

Theorem 6.11.1 Positive maps are monotone
#

If \(T:M_{n}(\mathbb {C})\to M_{m}(\mathbb {C})\) is positive and \(A,B\in M_{n}(\mathbb {C})\) satisfy \(A\le B\), then \(T(A)\le T(B)\) in \(M_{m}(\mathbb {C})\).

Proof

Since \(B-A\ge 0\), positivity gives \(T(B-A)\ge 0\). By linearity, this is \(T(B)-T(A)\ge 0\).

Theorem 6.11.2 Positive maps preserve adjoints
#

If \(T:M_{n}(\mathbb {C})\to M_{m}(\mathbb {C})\) is positive, then \(T(A^\dagger )=T(A)^\dagger \) for all \(A\in M_{n}(\mathbb {C})\).

Proof

Regard \(T\) as the associated positive linear map (Definition 2.4.1). For positive linear maps between matrix \(C^*\)-algebras, \(T(A^\ast )=T(A)^\ast \). Since the star on each matrix algebra is the conjugate transpose, \(T(A^\dagger )=T(A^\ast )=T(A)^\ast =T(A)^\dagger \).

Theorem 6.11.3 Nondegeneracy of the trace pairing
#

For \(M \in M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\), \(\operatorname{tr}(M N) = 0\) for all \(N \in M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\) if and only if \(M = 0\).

Proof

Testing against the matrix unit \(E_{ji}\) gives \(\operatorname{tr}(M E_{ji}) = M_{ij}\), so \(\operatorname{tr}(M N) = 0\) for all \(N\) forces every entry of \(M\) to vanish.

Theorem 6.11.4 Trace-pairing adjoint identity
#

For every linear map \(E : M_{D}(\mathbb {C}) \to M_{D'}(\mathbb {C})\), every \(\rho \in M_{D'}(\mathbb {C})\), and every \(X \in M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\), one has

\begin{align} \operatorname{tr}(E^*(\rho )X) & =\operatorname{tr}(\rho E(X)). \label{eq:schwarz_trace_adjoint_pairing} \end{align}
Proof

Write \(X=\sum _{i,j}X_{ij}e_{ij}\) in the standard matrix units and use linearity in \(X\). For \(X=e_{ij}\) one has \(\operatorname{tr}(E^*(\rho )e_{ij})=(E^*(\rho ))_{ji}\), while the definition of \(E^*\) gives \((E^*(\rho ))_{ji}=\operatorname{tr}(\rho E(e_{ij}))\).

Theorem 6.11.5 Trace-pairing adjoint is involutive

For every linear map \(E : M_{D}(\mathbb {C}) \to M_{D'}(\mathbb {C})\), the trace-pairing adjoint of \(E^*\) is \(E\).

Proof

Fix \(X\in M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\) and an arbitrary matrix \(N\in M_{D'}(\mathbb {C})\). Applying (20) first to \(E^* : M_{D'}(\mathbb {C}) \to M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\) and then to \(E\) gives

\begin{align} \operatorname{tr}((E^*)^*(X)N) & =\operatorname{tr}(XE^*(N)) =\operatorname{tr}(E^*(N)X) =\operatorname{tr}(NE(X)) =\operatorname{tr}(E(X)N). \notag \end{align}

Both \((E^*)^*(X)\) and \(E(X)\) lie in \(M_{D'}(\mathbb {C})\), so, since this holds for every \(N\in M_{D'}(\mathbb {C})\), nondegeneracy of the trace pairing on \(M_{D'}(\mathbb {C})\) gives \((E^*)^*=E\).

Theorem 6.11.6 Self-duality of the positive semidefinite cone

Let \(A \in M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\) be Hermitian. If \(\operatorname{tr}(AB)\geq 0\) for every positive semidefinite matrix \(B\), then \(A\geq 0\).

Proof

Test the hypothesis on rank-one positive semidefinite matrices \(B=xx^\dagger \). The identity \(\operatorname{tr}(Axx^\dagger )=x^\dagger A x\) and the hypothesis give \(x^\dagger A x\geq 0\) for every vector \(x\), so the Hermitian matrix \(A\) is positive semidefinite.

Theorem 6.11.7 Trace-pairing adjoint of a positive map

If \(E : M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\to M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\) is positive, then its trace-pairing adjoint \(E^*\) is positive.

Proof

Let \(\rho \geq 0\). First \(E^*(\rho )\) is Hermitian. Indeed, Theorem 6.11.2 gives \(E(A^\dagger )=E(A)^\dagger \), and hence, for matrix units \(e_{ij}\),

\begin{align} \overline{\operatorname{tr}(\rho E(e_{ij}))} & =\operatorname{tr}(E(e_{ij})^\dagger \rho ) =\operatorname{tr}(E(e_{ji})\rho ) =\operatorname{tr}(\rho E(e_{ji})). \notag \end{align}

For every \(B\geq 0\), (20) gives \(\operatorname{tr}(E^*(\rho )B)=\operatorname{tr}(\rho E(B))\). Since \(E(B)\geq 0\), the right-hand side is non-negative by positivity of the trace product of two positive semidefinite matrices. Self-duality of the positive semidefinite cone therefore gives \(E^*(\rho )\geq 0\).

Theorem 6.11.8 Trace-pairing adjoints preserve positivity exactly

A linear map is positive if and only if its trace-pairing adjoint is positive.

Proof

One direction is Theorem 6.11.7. The other follows by applying the same theorem to \(E^*\) and using Theorem 6.11.5.

6.12 Positive functionals and rank-one retractions

The next three results provide, respectively, the density, support, and scalarity steps in Theorem 6.3.1 and hence in its finite-star-algebra extension, Theorem 6.3.2.

Theorem 6.12.1 Density representation of positive matrix functionals

Let \(f : M_{D}(\mathbb {C}) \to \mathbb {C}\) be a complex-linear functional, where \(D{\gt}0\). If \(f(X) \geq 0\) for every \(X \geq 0\) and \(f(\mathbb {1})=1\), then there is a density matrix \(\rho \in M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\) such that \(f(X) = \operatorname{tr}(\rho X)\) for every \(X \in M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\).

Proof

Define \(F : M_{D}(\mathbb {C}) \to M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\) by \(F(X) = f(X)\mathbb {1}\). For \(X \geq 0\) one has \(f(X) \geq 0\), so \(F(X) = f(X)\mathbb {1}\geq 0\) and \(F\) is positive. Set \(\sigma = D^{-1}\mathbb {1}\) and \(\rho = F^*(\sigma )\). Positivity of the trace-pairing adjoint gives \(\rho \geq 0\), while (20) gives

\begin{align} \operatorname{tr}(\rho X) & =\operatorname{tr}(\sigma F(X)) =f(X). \notag \end{align}

Taking \(X = \mathbb {1}\) yields \(\operatorname{tr}(\rho ) = 1\).

Lemma 6.12.2 Rank-one domination

Let \(A\in M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\) be positive semidefinite, let \(c\in \mathbb {C}\), and let \(\psi \in \mathbb {C}^D\). If \(A\leq c|\psi \rangle \! \langle \psi |\), then there is a non-negative scalar \(a\) such that \(A=a|\psi \rangle \! \langle \psi |\).

Proof

The assertion is immediate when \(\psi =0\). Otherwise set \(s=\langle \psi ,\psi \rangle \), \(P=|\psi \rangle \! \langle \psi |\), and \(Q=s^{-1}P\). Then \(Q\) is the orthogonal projection onto \(\mathbb {C}\psi \). Write \(B=cP-A\geq 0\). Since \(A+B=cP\) vanishes on the kernel of \(Q\), positivity implies \(A(\mathbb {1}-Q)=0\). Taking adjoints gives \((\mathbb {1}-Q)A=0\), and therefore \(A=QAQ\). Finally,

\begin{align} PAP & =\langle \psi ,A\psi \rangle P, \notag \\ A & =s^{-2}\langle \psi ,A\psi \rangle P. \notag \end{align}

The coefficient is non-negative because \(A\geq 0\) and \(s{\gt}0\).

Theorem 6.12.3 Rank-one ray scalar rigidity

Let \(T:M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\to M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\) be complex-linear. Suppose that for every \(v\in \mathbb {C}^D\) there is a scalar \(c_v\in \mathbb {C}\) such that \(T(|v\rangle \! \langle v|)=c_v|v\rangle \! \langle v|\). Then there is a scalar \(c\in \mathbb {C}\) such that \(T=c\, \operatorname{id}\).

Proof

Write \(P_v=|v\rangle \! \langle v|\). If \(D=0\), then \(M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\) is the zero vector space, so the conclusion holds with \(c=0\). If \(D=1\), the single matrix unit is \(P_{e_0}\). The hypothesis gives \(T(P_{e_0})=c_{e_0}P_{e_0}\), and linearity gives \(T=c_{e_0}\, \operatorname{id}\) on all of \(M_{1}(\mathbb {C})\).

It remains to consider \(D\geq 2\). Set \(c=c_{e_0}\). For \(i\ne j\), the identities

\begin{align} P_{e_i+e_j}+P_{e_i-e_j} & =2P_{e_i}+2P_{e_j}, \notag \\ c_{e_i+e_j}P_{e_i+e_j}+c_{e_i-e_j}P_{e_i-e_j} & =2c_{e_i}P_{e_i}+2c_{e_j}P_{e_j} \notag \end{align}

give, from their \((i,i)\), \((j,j)\), and \((i,j)\) entries, \(c_{e_i+e_j}=c_{e_i-e_j}=c_{e_i}=c_{e_j}\). The imaginary parallelogram identity and its image under \(T\) are

\begin{align} P_{e_i+\mathrm{i}e_j}+P_{e_i-\mathrm{i}e_j} & =2P_{e_i}+2P_{e_j}, \notag \\ c_{e_i+\mathrm{i}e_j}P_{e_i+\mathrm{i}e_j} +c_{e_i-\mathrm{i}e_j}P_{e_i-\mathrm{i}e_j} & =2c_{e_i}P_{e_i}+2c_{e_j}P_{e_j}. \notag \end{align}

Comparing the same three entries gives \(c_{e_i+\mathrm{i}e_j}=c_{e_i-\mathrm{i}e_j}=c_{e_i}=c_{e_j}\). Taking the pair \((0,i)\) shows that \(c_{e_i}=c\) for every \(i\). The hypothesis therefore gives \(T(E_{ii})=cE_{ii}\) for the diagonal matrix units. For \(i\ne j\), the polarization identity

\begin{align} 4E_{ij} & =P_{e_i+e_j}-P_{e_i-e_j} +\mathrm{i}P_{e_i+\mathrm{i}e_j} -\mathrm{i}P_{e_i-\mathrm{i}e_j} \notag \end{align}

gives \(T(E_{ij})=cE_{ij}\). Thus \(T=c\, \operatorname{id}\) on every matrix unit.

The rank-one domination and rigidity results turn the vector-dependent coefficients in the one-factor retraction into a single positive functional; the density representation identifies that functional with a density matrix.

6.13 Faithful weighted traces and peripheral Schwarz equality

These two trace facts provide the adjointness and faithfulness steps in Theorem 6.5.1. For the Kraus map \(E\), write \(E^*\) for its Kraus adjoint and let \(\rho {\gt}0\) denote the faithful fixed point used there.

Lemma 6.13.1 Trace pairing for Kraus map and adjoint map

For all \(X, Y \in M_{D}(\mathbb {C})\), \(\operatorname{tr}\! (X\, E(Y)) = \operatorname{tr}\! (E^*(X)\, Y)\).

Lemma 6.13.2 Positive-definite trace test

If \(A {\gt} 0\), \(X \ge 0\), and \(\operatorname{tr}(A X) = 0\), then \(X = 0\).