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Let $A \otimes B$ be the algebraic tensor of two $C^{\ast}$ -algebras, and an element x in $A\otimes B$ is positive if $x=yy^{\ast}$. Then is it always possible to write x in the form $x=\sum a_i\otimes b_i$, where $a_i$ and $b_i$ are positive elements?

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  • $\begingroup$ Further question: is the answer (to the original question) yes if we ask that all matrices are not only positive, but invertible? $\endgroup$ Jan 10, 2012 at 20:02
  • $\begingroup$ Only the element $x$ is in the question (the $a_i$ and $b_i$ would be part of the claimed conclusion). So are you asking: what if $x$ is invertible? $\endgroup$ Jan 10, 2012 at 21:18

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I think the answer is no. The matrix $$ a=\begin{bmatrix} 1&0&0&1\\ 0&0&0&0\\ 0&0&0&0\\ 1&0&0&1 \end{bmatrix} $$ is positive in $M_4(\mathbb{C})$. When we see this algebra as $M_2(\mathbb{C})\otimes M_2(\mathbb{C})$, it cannot be obtained as a sum of elementary tensors with positive entries. .

(ok, several hours later, here is the argument)

First, $a$ is positive because it is selfadjoint and $a=\left(\frac1{\sqrt2}a\right)^2$. Now, if we have a sum of elementary tensors in $M_2(\mathbb{C})\otimes M_2(\mathbb{C})$, it will look like $$ \sum_j\begin{bmatrix} \alpha_j&\overline{\gamma_j}\\ \gamma_j&\beta_j\end{bmatrix} \otimes \begin{bmatrix}\alpha'_j&\overline{\gamma_j'}\\ \gamma_j'&\beta_j'\end{bmatrix} =\begin{bmatrix} \sum_j\alpha_j'\alpha_j& \sum_j \alpha_j'\overline{\gamma_j}& \sum_j\overline{\gamma_j'}\alpha_j&\sum_j\overline{\gamma_j'}\gamma_j\\ \sum_j\alpha_j'\gamma_j& \sum_j \alpha_j'\beta_j&*&*\\ *&*&*&*\\ *&*&*&* \end{bmatrix} $$ The assumption that each elementary tensor is made of the tensor of two positive matrices translates into $\alpha_j\geq0$, $\beta_j\geq0$, and $\alpha_j\beta_j\geq|\gamma_j|^2$ for all $j$ (and the "prime'' version too). Now if the matrix on the right is going to be our $a$ above, then the 2,2 entry forces the following: for each $j$, the product $\alpha_j'\beta_j=0$. If $\alpha_j'=0$, then $\gamma_j'=0$; and if $\beta_j=0$, then $\gamma_j=0$. That is, for each $j$, $\overline{\gamma_j'}\gamma_j=0$, and this forces the 1,4 entry to be $0$; but it is not zero in $a$.

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  • $\begingroup$ Note that, at least in the case where both A and B are the C* algebras of square matrices of fixed size, this really is equivalent to the existence of entangled states in quantum physics. $\endgroup$ Oct 23, 2010 at 13:03
  • $\begingroup$ This really does have everything to do with mixed state entanglement in quantum mechanics. A positive matrix is "separable" precisely when it can be written as a sum of tensor powers of positive matrices. These form a convex cone that is a strict subset of the cone of all positive matrices in the tensor product, and the complement of the separable operators in this cone are "entangled". The operators of unit trace correspond to (either separable or entangled) density matrices. There are close parallels to the classification of positive/completely positive linear maps on matrix algebras. $\endgroup$
    – Jon Yard
    Oct 23, 2010 at 17:30
  • $\begingroup$ Well, if you want to know more Martin, have a look at arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/0702225 $\endgroup$
    – Jon Yard
    Oct 23, 2010 at 23:54
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    $\begingroup$ @Jon. Unbelievable! The four authors of this paper bear the same last name. What are their family links ? $\endgroup$ Jan 11, 2012 at 8:35

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