# non-Identity operator on a separable Hilbert space

Suppose $\mathcal{H}$ is a separable Hilbert space over $\mathbb{C}$ (countable dimensions) with inner product $\langle,\rangle$. Let $A$ be a bounded linear operator on $\mathcal{H}$, i.e, in $B(\mathcal{H}$). Suppose further that $A$ is not a multiple of the identity operator. Then is it true that there exist two elements of $\mathcal{H}$, call them $v_1$,$v_2$, of norm 1, such that $\langle v_1 , A v_1 \rangle \neq \langle v_2, A v_2 \rangle$? This is true in finite dimensions (I think).

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For finite dimensional spaces, this is false. For instance, consider rotations in $R^2$. – Malte Jun 10 '12 at 14:38
I think he/she has a complex Hilbert space in mind. – Michael Renardy Jun 10 '12 at 14:58
yes, I mean complex Hilbert space, thanks for pointing out. Over ℝ, skew symmetric matrices are a counterexample in finite dimensions. – magya_bloom Jun 10 '12 at 15:57

The answer is yes, this is true (assuming that the Hilbert space is complex).

If $\langle \xi,A\xi \rangle = \sigma$ for some $\sigma \in \mathbb C$ and all $\xi$, then $B:=A - \bar \sigma 1_H$ has the property that $\langle \xi,B\xi \rangle =0$ for all $\xi \in H$. We need to show $B=0$. Let $\xi \in H$ be arbitrary and consider the vector $\lambda \xi + \mu B\xi$ for some $\lambda,\mu \in \mathbb C$.

We get: $$0=\langle \lambda \xi + \mu B \xi, \lambda B\xi + \mu B^2 \xi \rangle = \lambda \bar\mu \langle \xi,B^2 \xi \rangle + \mu \bar\lambda \|B \xi\|^2$$ for all complex $\lambda$ and $\mu$. Taking $\lambda = \mu = 1$, we see $\|B\xi\|^2 = - \langle \xi,B^2 \xi \rangle$. Taking $\lambda=1, \mu=i$, we get $\|B\xi\|^2 = \langle \xi,B^2 \xi \rangle$. This shows $B \xi =0$.

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thanks! neat solution. – magya_bloom Jun 10 '12 at 16:15
Or you can just use the polarization identity ... – Nik Weaver Jun 10 '12 at 17:13
Nik, the polarization identity gives the scalar product in terms of the norm. What would be the argument? Anyhow, since the argument is elementary, there are surely many ways to see this. – Andreas Thom Jun 10 '12 at 17:29
Andreas, if $\omega$ is uniformly distributed in the unit circle, or in $\{1,i,-1,-i\}$, I like to call the formula $\langle\xi,B\eta\rangle = \mathbb E(\omega \langle\xi+\omega \eta,B(\xi+\omega \eta)\rangle)$ a polarization identity. – Mikael de la Salle Jun 10 '12 at 18:01
Ok, now I understand. – Andreas Thom Jun 10 '12 at 18:07

Nothing new compared to Andreas's answer, just wanted to stress the polarization idea:

Notation: For $H$ a Hilbert space, and $A\in B(H)$ (bounded linear operator), write $q_A$ for the quadratic form $x\mapsto \langle Ax,x\rangle$.

Lemma ('polarization'): If $H$ is a complex Hilbert space, $q_A=q_B\Leftrightarrow A=B$.

Proof: We may assume $B=0$ [replacing $A$ by $A-B$]. If $\langle Ax,x\rangle=0$ for all $x$, then $0=\langle A( x+y),x+y\rangle$ implies $\langle Ax,y\rangle+\langle Ay,x\rangle=0$. But then [replace x by ix] also $\langle Ax,y\rangle-\langle Ay,x\rangle=0$.

Answer to question: Yes, and separability is not needed. Proof by contraposition:

If $\lambda:=q_A(x)=q_A(y)$ for all $x,y$ of norm 1, then $q_A(h)=\lambda\|h\|^2=q_{\lambda I}(h)$ for all $h\in H$. Hence $q_A=q_{\lambda I}$, and the lemma implies $A=\lambda I$.

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