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# On Bures distance over Standard Form 𝑣𝑁-Algebras

## 1. Basic settings and results

### 1.1. Definitions and conventions

Throughout the paper, a distance function $`d_\mathrm{B}`$ on the positive cone $`M_+^{}`$ of the bounded linear forms $`M^{}`$ over a unital $`𝖢^{}`$-algebra $`M`$ will be considered. For normal states on a $`𝖶^{}`$-algebra $`d_\mathrm{B}`$ agrees with the Bures distance function . Therefore, henceforth also $`d_\mathrm{B}`$ will be referred to as Bures distance function. We start by defining $`d_\mathrm{B}(M|\nu ,\varrho )`$ between $`\nu ,\varrho M_+^{}`$.

###### Definition 1.1.

$`d_\mathrm{B}(M|\nu ,\varrho )=inf_{\{\pi ,𝒦\},\phi 𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\nu ),\psi 𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\varrho )}\psi \phi .`$

Instead of $`d_\mathrm{B}(M|\nu ,\varrho )`$ the notation $`d_\mathrm{B}(\nu ,\varrho )`$ will often be used. For unital -representation $`\{\pi ,𝒦\}`$ of $`M`$ on a Hilbert space $`\{𝒦,,\}`$ and for $`\mu M_+^{}`$ we let

(1.1)
$$𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\mu )=\{\chi 𝒦:\mu ()=\pi ()\chi ,\chi \}.$$

In case of $`𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\mu )\mathrm{}`$ this set will be referred to as $`\pi `$-fibre of $`\mu `$. The above infimum extends over all $`\pi `$ relative to which both $`\pi `$-fibres exist and, within each such representation, $`\phi `$ and $`\psi `$ may be varied through all of $`𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\nu )`$ and $`𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\varrho )`$, respectively. The scalar product $`𝒦\times 𝒦\{\chi ,\eta \}\chi ,\eta `$ on the representation Hilbert space by convention is supposed to be linear with respect to the first argument $`\chi `$, and antilinear in the second argument $`\eta `$, and maps into the complex field $``$. Let $`z\overline{z}`$ be the complex conjugation, and be $`\mathrm{}z`$ and $`|z|`$ the real part and absolute value of $`z`$, respectively. The norm of $`\chi 𝒦`$ is given by $`\chi =\sqrt{\chi ,\chi }`$. For the relating operator and $`𝖢^{}`$-algebra theory, the reader is referred to the standard monographs, e.g. .

For both the $`𝖢^{}`$-norm of an element $`xM`$ as well as for the operator norm of a concrete bounded linear operator $`x𝖡(𝒦)`$ the same notation $`x`$ will be used, and the involution (-operation) respectively the taking of the hermitian conjugate of an element $`x`$ is indicated by the transition $`xx^{}`$. The notions of hermiticity and positivity for elements are defined as usual in $`𝖢^{}`$-algebra theory, and $`M_\mathrm{h}`$ and $`M_+`$ are the hermitian and positive elements of $`M`$, respectively. The null and the unit element/operator in $`M`$ and $`𝖡(𝒦)`$ will be denoted by $`\mathrm{𝟎}`$ and $`\mathrm{𝟏}`$. For notational purposes mainly, in short recall some fundamentals relating (bounded) linear forms which subsequently might be of concern in context of Definition 1.1. Recall that the topological dual space $`M^{}`$ of $`M`$ is the set of all those linear functionals (linear forms) which are continuous with respect to the operator norm topology. Equipped with the dual norm $`_1`$, which is given by $`f_1=sup\{|f(x)|:xM,x1\}`$ and which is referred to as the functional norm, $`M^{}`$ is a Banach space. For each given $`fM^{}`$, the hermitian conjugate functional $`f^{}M^{}`$ is defined by $`f^{}(x)=\overline{f(x^{})}`$, for each $`xM`$. Remind that $`fM^{}`$ is hermitian if $`f=f^{}`$ holds, and $`f`$ is termed positive if $`f(x)0`$ holds, for each $`xM_+`$. Relating positivity, the basic fact is that a bounded linear form over $`M`$ is positive if, and only if, $`f_1=f(\mathrm{𝟏})`$.

For each $`fM_+^{}`$, there exists a cyclic -representation $`\pi _f`$ of $`M`$ on some Hilbert space $`𝒦_f`$, with cyclic vector $`\mathrm{\Omega }𝒦_f`$, and obeying $`f(x)=\pi _f(x)\mathrm{\Omega },\mathrm{\Omega }`$, for all $`xM`$ (Gelfand-Neumark-Segal theorem). Considering that construction in the special case with $`f=\nu +\varrho `$ will provide a unital -representation $`\pi =\pi _f`$ where the $`\pi `$-fibres of $`\nu `$ and $`\varrho `$ both exist (we omit the details, all of which are standard). Thus Definition 1.1 makes sense, in any case of $`\nu ,\varrho M_+^{}`$.

In conjunction with the Bures distance $`d_\mathrm{B}`$ there appears the functor $`P`$ of the (-algebraic) transition probability . For given $`𝖢^{}`$-algebra $`M`$ and positive linear forms $`\nu ,\varrho M_+^{}`$ the definition reads as follows :

###### Definition 1.2.

$`P_M(\nu ,\varrho )=sup_{\{\pi ,𝒦\},\phi 𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\nu ),\psi 𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\varrho )}|\psi ,\phi |^2.`$

The range of variables in the supremum is the same as in Definition 1.1. With the help of $`P_M`$ the following formula for $`d_\mathrm{B}`$ is obtained :

(1.2)
$$d_\mathrm{B}(M|\nu ,\varrho )^2=\left\{\nu _1\sqrt{P_M(\nu ,\varrho )}\right\}+\left\{\varrho _1\sqrt{P_M(\nu ,\varrho )}\right\}.$$

Thus, properties of $`d_𝖡`$ can be obtained from properties of $`P`$, and vice versa.

###### Remark 1.3.

In , in generalizing from the commutative case which had been studied extensively in , expressions $`d`$ and $`\rho `$ instead of $`d_\mathrm{B}`$ and $`\sqrt{P}`$ were considered for normal states on a $`𝖶^{}`$-algebra, but with the infima extending over all faithful representations $`\{\pi ,𝒦\}`$ where both fibres exist, accordingly.

### 1.2. Some basic results on Bures distance

Let $`\nu ,\varrho M_+^{}`$, and be $`\{\pi ,𝒦\}`$ a unital -representation of $`M`$ such that the $`\pi `$-fibres of $`\nu `$ and $`\varrho `$ both exist. Suppose $`\phi 𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\nu )`$ and $`\psi 𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\varrho )`$. Let

$$\pi (M)^{}=\{z𝖡(𝒦):z\pi (x)=\pi (x)z,xM\}$$

be the commutant $`vN`$-algebra of $`\pi (M)`$, and be $`𝒰(\pi (M)^{})`$ the group of unitary operators of $`\pi (M)^{}`$. Define a linear form $`h_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi `$ as follows :

(1.3)
$$z\pi (M)^{}:h_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi (z)=z\psi ,\phi .$$

For $`\chi 𝒦`$ let orthoprojections $`p_\pi (\chi ),p_\pi ^{}(\chi )`$ be defined as the orthoprojections projecting from $`𝒦`$ onto the the closed linear subspaces $`\overline{\pi (M)^{}\chi }`$ and $`\overline{\pi (M)\chi }`$, respectively. It is standard that $`p_\pi (\chi )\pi (M)^{\prime \prime }`$ and $`p_\pi ^{}(\chi )\pi (M)^{}`$ hold, with the double commutant $`vN`$-algebra

$$\pi (M)^{\prime \prime }=\left(\pi (M)^{}\right)^{}$$

of $`\pi (M)`$. By the Kaplansky–von Neumann theorem $`\pi (M)`$ is strongly dense within $`\pi (M)^{\prime \prime }`$, and therefore one always has

(1.4)
$$\overline{\pi (M)\chi }=\overline{\pi (M)^{\prime \prime }\chi },$$

which is useful to know. Relating (1.1), for each $`\chi 𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\mu )`$ the following is true :

(1.5)
$$𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\mu )=\{v\chi :v^{}v=p_\pi ^{}(\chi ),v\pi (M)^{}\}.$$

Recall some useful facts about (1.3). Assume $`\phi 𝒮_M(\nu )`$, $`\psi 𝒮_M(\varrho )`$, and be

(1.6a)
$$h_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi =\left|h_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi \right|\left(()v_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi \right)$$

the polar decomposition of the normal linear form $`h_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi `$. According to the polar decomposition theorem for normal linear forms in $`vN`$-algebras, a partial isometry $`v=v_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi `$ in and a normal positive linear form $`g=\left|h_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi \right|`$ over $`\pi (M)^{}`$ and obeying $`h_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi =g(()v)`$ exist, and both are unique subject to $`v^{}v=s(g)`$, with the support orthoprojection $`s(g)`$ of $`g`$. Thus especially
(1.6ba)
$$\left|h_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi \right|=h_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi \left(()v_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi \right)=()v_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi \psi ,\phi ,$$

from which in view of the above the following can be obtained:
(1.6bb)
$$v_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi v_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi =s\left(\left|h_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi \right|\right)p_\pi ^{}(\phi ).$$

Analogously, by polar decomposition of $`h_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi =h_{\phi ,\psi }^\pi `$, one has $`v_{\phi ,\psi }^\pi =v_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi `$ and
(1.6ca)
$$\left|h_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi \right|=h_{\phi ,\psi }^\pi \left(()v_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi \right)=()v_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi \phi ,\psi ,$$

from which analogously
(1.6cb)
$$v_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi v_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi =s\left(\left|h_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi \right|\right)p_\pi ^{}(\psi )$$

is obtained. In particular, with the Murray-von Neumann equivalence ‘$``$’ one has
(1.6d)
$$s\left(\left|h_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi \right|\right)s\left(\left|h_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi \right|\right).$$

We are going to comment now on some of the fundamentals of Bures geometry.

#### 1.2.1. Basic algebraic facts on Bures distance

From \[1, Corollary 1, Corollary 2, eqs. (5), (6) and Theorem 3\] the following facts are known :

###### Lemma 1.4.

$$\sqrt{P_M(\nu ,\varrho )}=h_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi _1=\underset{u𝒰(\pi (M)^{})}{sup}\left|h_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi (u)\right|=\underset{xM_+,\text{invertible}}{inf}\sqrt{\nu (x)\varrho (x^1)}.$$

Each unitary orbit $`𝒰(\pi (M)^{})\chi `$ is a special subset of the $`\pi `$-fibre (1.5). Thus, the first two items of the following result at once can be seen from Lemma 1.4.

###### Theorem 1.5.

Suppose $`\{\pi ,𝒦\}`$ is a unital -representation such that the $`\pi `$-fibres of $`\nu ,\varrho M_+^{}`$ exist. For given $`\phi 𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\nu )`$ and $`\psi 𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\varrho )`$ the following hold:

1. $`d_\mathrm{B}(M|\nu ,\varrho )=inf_{u𝒰(\pi (M)^{})}u\psi \phi `$ ;
2. $`d_\mathrm{B}(M|\nu ,\varrho )=inf_{\psi ^{}𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\varrho )}\psi ^{}\phi `$ ;
3. $`d_\mathrm{B}(M|\nu ,\varrho )=\psi \phi h_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi 0`$.

Relating (3), note that $`h_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi 0`$ is equivalent to $`\psi ,\phi =h_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi (\mathrm{𝟏})=h_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi _1`$. The latter is equivalent to $`d_\mathrm{B}(M|\nu ,\varrho )=\psi \phi `$, by (1.2) and Lemma 1.4.

###### Remark 1.6.

1. By Theorem 1.5, $`d_\mathrm{B}`$ can be calculated in each $`\pi `$ where both fibres exist. Thus, on a $`𝖶^{}`$-algebra $`M`$ and for normal states, the universal $`𝖶^{}`$-representation can be used. Hence, $`d_\mathrm{B}`$ and $`\sqrt{P}`$ argee with $`d`$ and $`\rho `$ of  there, see Remark 1.3.
2. For $`\mu M_+^{}`$ and $`\pi `$ with $`𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\mu )\mathrm{}`$, there is a unique normal positive $`\mu _\pi `$ on $`\pi (M)^{\prime \prime }`$, with $`\mu =\mu _\pi \pi `$. By (1.4) and (1.5) then $`𝒮_{\mathrm{id},\pi (M)^{\prime \prime }}(\mu _\pi )=𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\mu )`$, with the trivial representation $`\mathrm{id}`$ of $`\pi (M)^{\prime \prime }`$ on $`𝒦`$.
3. For a $`vN`$-algebra $`M`$ and $`\pi =\mathrm{id}`$, the notation of the subscript/superscript ‘$`\pi `$’ will be omitted, and then $`𝒮_M(\nu )`$, $`h_{\psi ,\phi }`$, $`v_{\psi ,\phi }`$ and $`p(\phi )`$, $`p^{}(\phi )`$ instead of $`𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\nu )`$, $`h_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi `$, $`v_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi `$ and $`p_\pi (\phi )`$, $`p_\pi ^{}(\phi )`$, with $`\pi =\mathrm{id}`$, respectively, will be in use and $`𝒮_M(\nu )\mathrm{}`$ will be referred to as fibre of $`\nu `$, simply.

There are examples where Lemma 1.4 can be made more explicit. Let $`\tau `$ be a (lower semicontinuous) trace on $`M_+`$ (see e.g. in \[16, 6.1.\]). Then one has -ideals $`^2(M,\tau )=\{xM:\tau (x^{}x)<\mathrm{}\}`$ and $`^1(M,\tau )=\{xM:x=y^{}z,y,z^2(M,\tau )\}`$. It is known that $`^1(M,\tau )`$ is the complex linear span of the hereditary positive cone $`^1(M,\tau )_+=\{xM_+:\tau (x)<\mathrm{}\}`$, and thus $`\tau `$ uniquely extends to an invariant positive linear form $`\stackrel{~}{\tau }`$ onto $`^1(M,\tau )`$. That is, $`\stackrel{~}{\tau }(xy)=\stackrel{~}{\tau }(yx)`$, for either $`x,y^2(M,\tau )`$, or $`xM`$ and $`y^1(M,\tau )`$. By uniqueness, $`\tau `$ can be identified with $`\stackrel{~}{\tau }`$, and then is referred to as trace $`\tau `$ on $`M`$. In this sense, for $`z^2(M,\tau )`$ and $`y^1(M,\tau )`$, we have a unique positive linear form $`\tau ^z`$ and bounded linear form $`\tau _y`$ on $`M`$, with $`\tau ^z(x)=\tau (z^{}xz)`$ and $`\tau _y(x)=\tau (yx)`$, respectively, for each $`xM`$.

Let $`I(M,\tau )=\{xM:\tau (x^{}x)=0\}`$. This is a -ideal in $`^2(M,\tau )`$. Consider the completion $`L^2(M,\tau )`$ of the space of equivalence classes $`\eta _x`$ modulo $`I(M,\tau )`$ under the inner product $`\eta _x,\eta _y=\tau (y^{}x)`$, $`x,y^2(M,\tau )`$. By standard arguments the latter is well-defined and extends to a scalar product on $`L^2(M,\tau )`$, which then is a Hilbert space. Let $`\pi :Mx\pi (x)`$ and $`\pi ^{}(x):Mx\pi ^{}(x)`$ be the -representations of $`M`$ over $`L^2(M,\tau )`$ which can be uniquely given through $`\pi (x)\eta _y=\eta _{xy}`$ and $`\pi ^{}(x)\eta _y=\eta _{yx}`$, respectively, for each $`y^2(M,\tau )`$ and all $`xM`$. Then, for each $`z^2(M,\tau )`$ and $`xM`$ one has $`\tau ^z(x)=\pi (x)\eta _z,\eta _z`$. Note that $`\pi ^{}(M)\pi (M)^{}`$. In carefully analyzing $`\pi `$ and $`\pi ^{}`$ in case of a $`vN`$-algebra $`M`$, and in applying Lemma 1.4 with the mentioned -representation $`\pi `$ and using that a normal trace is lower semicontinuous, one can prove the following important special cases.

###### Example 1.7.

Let $`M`$ be a $`vN`$-algebra, with normal trace $`\tau `$. For $`x,y^2(M,\tau )`$ and $`a=|x^{}|^2=xx^{}`$, $`c=|y^{}|^2=yy^{}`$, one has $`\tau ^x=\tau _a`$ and $`\tau ^y=\tau _b`$, and the following formulae hold :

(1.7a)
$$\sqrt{P_M(\tau ^x,\tau ^y)}=\tau (|x^{}y|)=\tau (\left|\sqrt{a}\sqrt{c}\right|)=\sqrt{P_M(\tau _a,\tau _c)}.$$

Let $`s(\tau )`$ be the support of $`\tau `$, that is, $`z=s(\tau )^{}`$ is the central orthoprojection obeying $`I(M,\tau )=Mz`$, see \[28, 1.10.5.\]. The following is useful in this context :
(1.7b)
$$\tau (\left|\sqrt{a}\sqrt{c}\right|)=\tau (\sqrt{a}\sqrt{c})\sqrt{a}\sqrt{c}s(\tau )\mathrm{𝟎}.$$

In the special case of $`M=𝖡()`$ the formula (1.7a) is known since . With some more effort one even succeeds in proving (1.7a) without assuming normality. Relating (1.7b), this is a special case of the fact saying that $`\tau (x)=\tau (|x|)`$ is equivalent with $`xs(\tau )\mathrm{𝟎}`$, and which can be followed by reasoning about polar decomposition of $`x`$ and invariance of $`\tau `$ (we omit the details).

#### 1.2.2. Metric aspects of the Bures distance

From each of the first two items of Theorem 1.5 together with Definition 1.1 and (1.5) it gets obvious that $`d_\mathrm{B}`$ is symmetric in its arguments, obeys the triangle inequality, and is vanishing between $`\nu `$ and $`\varrho `$ if, and only if, $`\nu =\varrho `$. Thus, $`d_\mathrm{B}`$ yields another distance function on $`M_+^{}`$. By Theorem 1.5 (2), $`d_\mathrm{B}`$ is the natural distance function, in each space of $`\pi `$-fibres. Also, $`d_\mathrm{B}`$ is topologically equivalent over bounded subsets to the functional distance $`d_1`$, which is defined as $`d_1(\nu ,\varrho )=\nu \varrho _1`$, for $`\nu ,\varrho M_+^{}`$. For quantitative estimates, see \[7, Proposition 1, formula (1.2)\]. We do not prove these fact but instead remark that, in case of normal states/positive linear forms on $`𝖶^{}`$-algebras, this equivalence results from the estimates given in , essentially. The extension from there to unital $`𝖢^{}`$-algebras and their positive linear forms can be easily achieved by means of the first two items of the following auxiliary result.

###### Lemma 1.8.

Let $`\nu ,\varrho M_+^{}`$, and be $`\{\pi ,𝒦\}`$ such that the $`\pi `$-fibres of $`\nu `$ and $`\varrho `$ both exist. Then, the following hold:

1. $`\nu \varrho _1=\nu _\pi \varrho _\pi _1;`$
2. $`d_\mathrm{B}(M|\nu ,\varrho )=d_\mathrm{B}(\pi (M)^{\prime \prime }|\nu _\pi ,\varrho _\pi ).`$

Also, for $`\nu ,\varrho M_+^{}`$ one has

1. $`P_M(\nu ,\varrho )=0\nu \varrho ,`$

and for each $`\mu ,\sigma M_+^{}`$ obeying $`0\sigma \varrho `$, $`0\mu \nu `$,

1. $`P_M(\mu ,\sigma )+P_M(\delta \nu ,\delta \varrho )P_M(\nu ,\varrho )`$

is fulfilled, with $`\delta \nu =\nu \mu `$, $`\delta \varrho =\varrho \sigma `$.

###### Proof.

In order to see (1) recall first that, since $`\pi `$ is a -homomorphism, according to basic $`𝖢^{}`$-theory, the unit ball $`M_1`$ of $`M`$ is related to the unit ball $`\pi (M)_1`$ of $`\pi (M)`$ through $`\pi (M)_1=\pi (M_1)`$. From this by the Kaplansky density theorem

$$\left(\pi (M)^{\prime \prime }\right)_1=\overline{\pi (M)_1}^{\mathrm{st}}=\overline{\pi (M_1)}^{\mathrm{st}}\text{ (strong closure) }$$

is seen. Owing to normality of $`\nu _\pi \varrho _\pi `$ we then may conclude as follows:

$$\begin{array}{cc}\hfill \nu \varrho _1& =\underset{xM,x1}{sup}\left|\nu _\pi (\pi (x))\varrho _\pi (\pi (x))\right|\hfill \\ & =\underset{y\pi (M)^{\prime \prime },y1}{sup}\left|\nu _\pi (y)\varrho _\pi (y)\right|=\nu _\pi \varrho _\pi _1.\hfill \end{array}$$

To see (2), apply Theorem 1.5 (1) to $`\nu _\pi `$ and $`\varrho _\pi `$ in respect of the identity representation of the $`vN`$-algebra $`\pi (M)^{\prime \prime }`$. Under these premises Theorem 1.5 (1) yields $`d_\mathrm{B}(\pi (M)^{\prime \prime }|\nu _\pi ,\varrho _\pi )=sup_{u𝒰(\pi (M)^{})}u\psi \phi `$, for each $`\psi 𝒮_{\mathrm{id},\pi (M)^{\prime \prime }}(\varrho _\pi )`$ and $`\phi 𝒮_{\mathrm{id},\pi (M)^{\prime \prime }}(\nu _\pi )`$. In view of Remark 1.6 (2) this is $`d_\mathrm{B}(M|\nu ,\varrho )`$ as asserted by Theorem 1.5 (1) when applied with respect to $`M`$, $`\pi `$, $`\nu `$ and $`\varrho `$.

Relating (4), note that for each invertible $`xM_+`$ obviously $`\nu (x)\varrho (x^1)=\{\nu \mu \}(x)\{\varrho \sigma \}(x^1)+\nu (x)\sigma (x^1)+\mu (x)\varrho (x^1)+\mu (x)\sigma (x^1)`$ holds. From this by Lemma 1.4 and positivity of all terms the assertion follows.

To see (3), note that $`P_M(\nu ,\varrho )=0`$ is equivalent to $`h_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi =0`$, by Lemma 1.4, which is the same as $`x\psi ,y\phi =0`$, for all $`x,y\pi (M)^{}`$. Hence, $`P_M(\nu ,\varrho )=0`$ is equivalent to $`p_\pi (\psi )p_\pi (\phi )`$. Therefore, since $`p_\pi (\psi )=s(\varrho _\pi )`$ and $`p_\pi (\phi )=s(\nu _\pi )`$ holds, with the support orthoprojections $`s(\nu _\pi )`$ and $`s(\varrho _\pi )`$ of the normal positive linear forms $`\nu _\pi `$ and $`\varrho _\pi `$ (see Remark 1.6 (2)), $`P_M(\nu ,\varrho )=0`$ is equivalent to orthogonality of $`\nu _\pi `$ with $`\varrho _\pi `$. The latter is the same as $`\nu _\pi \varrho _\pi _1=\nu _\pi _1+\varrho _\pi _1`$. In view of (1) equivalence of $`P_M(\nu ,\varrho )=0`$ to $`\nu \varrho _1=\nu _1+\varrho _1`$ follows. ∎

Relating Theorem 1.5 (3), a remarkable fact firstly acknowledged in  says that $`d_\mathrm{B}(M|\nu ,\varrho )=\psi \phi `$ can happen, for each $`\nu ,\varrho M_+^{}`$, see also \[3, Appendix 7.\].

###### Theorem 1.9.

Suppose $`\{\pi ,𝒦\}`$ is such that the $`\pi `$-fibres of $`\nu ,\varrho M_+^{}`$ both exist. There are $`\phi _0𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\nu )`$ and $`\psi _0𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\varrho )`$ with $`d_\mathrm{B}(M|\nu ,\varrho )=\psi _0\phi _0`$.

###### Proof.

For $`\phi 𝒮_M(\nu )`$, $`\psi 𝒮_M(\varrho )`$ consider $`h_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi `$ as defined in (1.3). Then $`h_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi _1=\left|h_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi \right|_1`$ holds, see (1.6). Hence, in the notations from above

$$h_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi _1=v_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi \psi ,\phi =h_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi \left(v_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi \right).$$

It suffices to show that partial isometries $`v,w\pi (M)^{}`$ exist which obey $`v^{}vp_\pi ^{}(\phi )`$, $`w^{}wp_\pi ^{}(\psi )`$ and $`h_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi \left(v_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi \right)=h_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi (v^{}w)`$. In fact, in view of (1.5), for $`\psi _0=w\psi `$ and $`\phi _0=v\phi `$ one then has $`\psi 𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\varrho )`$ and $`\phi 𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\nu )`$. By the above and in twice applying Lemma 1.4, we may conclude as follows :

$$h_{\psi _0,\phi _0}^\pi (\mathrm{𝟏})=h_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi (v^{}w)=h_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi \left(v_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi \right)=h_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi _1=\sqrt{P_M(\nu ,\varrho )}=h_{\psi _0,\phi _0}^\pi _1.$$

Hence $`h_{\psi _0,\phi _0}^\pi (\mathrm{𝟏})=h_{\psi _0,\phi _0}^\pi _1`$, from which $`h_{\psi _0,\phi _0}^\pi 0`$ follows. In view of Theorem 1.5 (3), the constructed $`\phi _0`$ and $`\psi _0`$ can be taken to meet our demands.

Recall that for a $`vN`$-algebra $`N`$ on a Hilbert space $``$ there is a largest central orthoprojection $`zNN^{}`$ such that the $`vN`$-algebra $`(N^{})z`$ over $`z`$ is finite. Thus, in case of $`z\mathrm{𝟏}`$, $`(N^{})z^{}`$ is properly infinite over $`z^{}`$. Moreover, on $`c𝒦`$ one has

$$(N^{})c=\left((N^{})c\right)^{},$$

for each central orthoprojection $`c`$ (the outer commutant refers to $`c𝒦`$). Applying this to $`N=\pi (M)^{}`$ with $`c=z`$ or $`c=z^{}`$, and having in mind Remark 1.6 (2), we see that we can content ourselves with constructing the partial isometries in question only for $`vN`$-algebras with either finite or properly infinite commutants.

In line with this, let $`M`$ be the $`vN`$-algebra in question, with $`M^{}`$ either finite or properly infinite, and let $`\nu `$ and $`\varrho `$ be implemented by vectors $`\phi `$ and $`\psi `$. We then will make use of the notational conventions of Remark 1.6 (3), and are going to construct $`v`$ and $`w`$ under these premises now.

Suppose $`M^{}`$ to be finite. By (1.6d) we have $`s\left(\left|h_{\psi ,\phi }^{}\right|\right)s\left(\left|h_{\psi ,\phi }\right|\right)`$. In a finite $`vN`$-algebra, by another standard fact, see \[28, 2.4.2.\], this condition implies the following to hold, in any case:

(1.8)
$$s\left(\left|h_{\psi ,\phi }^{}\right|\right)^{}s\left(\left|h_{\psi ,\phi }\right|\right)^{}.$$

Hence, there is $`mM^{}`$ obeying $`m^{}m=s\left(\left|h_{\psi ,\phi }\right|\right)^{}`$ and $`mm^{}=s\left(\left|h_{\psi ,\phi }^{}\right|\right)^{}`$. Define $`w=v_{\psi ,\phi }^{}+m^{}`$. Then, $`w`$ is unitary, $`w𝒰(M^{})`$, with $`ws\left(\left|h_{\psi ,\phi }^{}\right|\right)=v_{\psi ,\phi }^{}`$. Since by polar decomposition $`h_{\psi ,\phi }(w)=h_{\psi ,\phi }\left(v_{\psi ,\phi }^{}\right)`$ is fulfilled, $`v=\mathrm{𝟏}`$ can be chosen.

Suppose a properly infinite $`M^{}`$. Then $`pM^{}`$ with $`pp^{}\mathrm{𝟏}`$ exists. By (1.6bb), $`p^{}(\phi )s\left(\left|h_{\psi ,\phi }\right|\right)M^{}`$ is an orthoprojection. Hence $`\left\{p^{}(\phi )s\left(\left|h_{\psi ,\phi }\right|\right)\right\}p`$ and $`p^{}(\psi )p^{}`$ (‘$``$’ be the Murray-von Neumann comparability relation). Hence, there are $`v_1,v_2M^{}`$ with $`v_1^{}v_1=\left\{p^{}(\phi )s\left(\left|h_{\psi ,\phi }\right|\right)\right\}`$, $`v_1v_1^{}p`$, $`v_2^{}v_2=p^{}(\psi )`$, $`v_2v_2^{}p^{}`$. Define $`w=v_2`$, $`v=v_1+v_2v_{\psi ,\phi }`$. Since $`v_1^{}v_2=v_2^{}v_1=\mathrm{𝟎}`$ holds, the above and (1.6cb), (1.6bb) imply $`v^{}v=v_1^{}v_1+v_{\psi ,\phi }^{}v_2^{}v_2v_{\psi ,\phi }=\left\{p^{}(\phi )s\left(\left|h_{\psi ,\phi }\right|\right)\right\}+s\left(\left|h_{\psi ,\phi }\right|\right)=p^{}(\phi )`$ and $`w^{}w=p^{}(\psi )`$. With the help of (1.6cb) again, we finally see that $`v^{}w=v_{\psi ,\phi }^{}v_2^{}v_2=v_{\psi ,\phi }^{}p^{}(\psi )=v_{\psi ,\phi }^{}s\left(\left|h_{\psi ,\phi }^{}\right|\right)=v_{\psi ,\phi }^{}`$ holds. ∎

###### Remark 1.10.

From Lemma 1.8 (4) the convexity/subadditivity properties of $`P`$ are obvious: $`P`$ is subadditive. On the other hand, by the scaling behavior of $`P`$ on the cone $`M_+^{}`$ together with Theorem 1.5 (2) and formula (1.2), it is easily inferred that $`d_\mathrm{B}^{\mathrm{\hspace{0.17em}2}}`$ (resp. $`\sqrt{P}`$) is jointly convex (resp. jointly concave), on each convex subset of $`M_+^{}`$, see also in , and \[7, Remark 2 (3)\] for some additional superadditivity property of $`\sqrt{P}`$.

#### 1.2.3. Minimal pairs of positive linear forms

Let $`\phi _0`$ and $`\psi _0`$ in the $`\pi `$-fibres of $`\nu ,\varrho M_+^{}`$ be chosen as to satisfy the hypothesis of Theorem 1.9. Define $`\varrho ^{}M_+^{}`$ as follows:

(1.9)
$$\eta 𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\varrho ^{}),\text{ with }\eta =s(h_{\psi _0,\phi _0}^\pi )^{}\psi _0.$$

Owing to $`s(h_{\psi _0,\phi _0}^\pi )^{}\pi (M)^{}`$ and $`\psi _0𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\varrho )`$, $`0\varrho ^{}\varrho `$. Also $`h_{\eta ,\phi _0}^\pi =0`$, since $`h_{\eta ,\phi _0}^\pi (z)=h_{\psi _0,\phi _0}^\pi (zs(h_{\psi _0,\phi _0}^\pi )^{})=0`$, for each $`z\pi (M)^{}`$. By Lemma 1.4 $`P_M(\nu ,\varrho ^{})=0`$, and thus $`\varrho ^{}`$ and $`\nu `$ are mutually orthogonal, by Lemma 1.8 (3).

On the other hand, let $`\sigma M_+^{}`$ with $`\sigma \varrho `$ be orthogonal to $`\nu `$. Then, by standard facts there exists $`z\pi (M)^{}`$ with $`z1`$ and $`z\psi _0𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\sigma )`$. Also, by Lemma 1.8 (3), $`P_M(\nu ,\sigma )=0`$. Hence, for $`\eta ^{}=z\psi _0`$, $`h_{\eta ^{},\phi _0}^\pi =0`$ by Lemma 1.4. Thus in particular $`h_{\psi _0,\phi _0}^\pi (z^{}z)=0`$. By positivity of $`h_{\psi _0,\phi _0}^\pi `$ and $`z1`$ one concludes $`z^{}z\mathrm{𝟏}s(h_{\psi _0,\phi _0}^\pi )`$. In view of (1.9) then $`\sigma \varrho ^{}`$ follows. Thus we arrive at the following result, which goes back to , see \[3, §2\] and  for applications.

###### Theorem 1.11.

For each given pair $`\{\nu ,\varrho \}`$ of positive linear forms on a unital $`𝖢^{}`$-algebra, among all positive linear forms $`\sigma `$ with $`\sigma \nu `$ and $`\sigma \varrho `$ there exists a largest element, $`\sigma =\varrho ^{}`$.

For given pair $`\{\nu ,\varrho \}`$ there has to exist also a largest positive linear form subordinate to $`\nu `$ and orthogonal to $`\varrho `$, which we call $`\nu ^{}`$. Thus, for each pair $`\{\nu ,\varrho \}`$ of positive linear forms both $`\nu ^{}`$ and $`\varrho ^{}`$ have an invariant meaning. The derivation of the previous result then also shows that, provided the $`\pi `$-fibres of $`\nu `$ and $`\varrho `$ both exist, with respect to the pair $`\{\nu _\pi ,\varrho _\pi \}`$ over $`\pi (M)^{\prime \prime }`$ the following must be valid:

(1.10)
$$(\varrho _\pi )^{}=(\varrho ^{})_\pi ,(\nu _\pi )^{}=(\nu ^{})_\pi .$$

On the other hand, since $`\varrho \varrho ^{}0`$ holds, we may also consider the pair $`\{\nu ,\varrho \varrho ^{}\}`$, and we may ask for $`(\varrho \varrho ^{})^{^{}}`$ and $`\nu ^{^{}}`$, where $`^{}`$ now refers to the $``$-operation with respect to the pair $`\{\nu ,\varrho \varrho ^{}\}`$.

###### Lemma 1.12.

For each pair $`\{\nu ,\varrho \}`$ the following facts hold:

1. $`(\varrho \varrho ^{})^{^{}}=0,\nu ^{^{}}=\nu ^{};`$
2. $`d_\mathrm{B}(\nu ,\varrho )^2=d_\mathrm{B}(\nu \nu ^{},\varrho \varrho ^{})^2+d_\mathrm{B}(\nu ^{},\varrho ^{})^2;`$
3. $`P_M(\nu ,\varrho )=P_M(\nu \nu ^{},\varrho \varrho ^{}).`$

Especially, the pair $`\{\nu \nu ^{},\varrho \varrho ^{}\}`$ is the least element of all pairs $`\{\theta ,\theta ^{}\}`$ of positive linear forms with $`\theta \nu `$ and $`\theta ^{}\varrho `$, and which obey $`P_M(\theta ,\theta ^{})=P_M(\nu ,\varrho )`$.

###### Proof.

By (1.10), Lemma 1.8 and Theorem 1.11 we may content ourselves with proving the assertions for a $`vN`$-algebra $`M`$ and normal positive linear forms $`\nu `$ and $`\varrho `$ with nontrivial fibres. For normal forms orthogonality simply means orthogonality of the respective supports. Hence, $`0\sigma \varrho \varrho ^{}`$ and $`\sigma \nu `$ imply $`\sigma +\varrho ^{}\varrho `$ and $`\sigma +\varrho ^{}\nu `$. By maximality of $`\varrho ^{}`$ then $`\sigma =0`$, and thus the first of the relations of (1) is seen. Note that $`\nu ^{^{}}\nu `$, with $`\nu ^{^{}}\varrho \varrho ^{}`$. From the former owing to $`\varrho ^{}\nu `$ then $`\varrho ^{}\nu ^{^{}}`$ is seen, and thus the two orthogonality relations may be summarized into $`\nu ^{^{}}(\varrho \varrho ^{})+\varrho ^{}=\varrho `$. Hence, in view of Theorem 1.11 then $`\nu ^{^{}}\nu ^{}`$ follows. On the other hand, by definition, $`\nu ^{}`$ is subordinate to $`\nu `$ and must also be orthogonal to $`\varrho \varrho ^{}\varrho `$. Hence, $`\nu ^{^{}}\nu ^{}`$ by Theorem 1.11 when applied to $`\{\nu ,\varrho \varrho ^{}\}`$. In summarizing the second relation of (1) follows.

Let $`\psi _0𝒮_M(\varrho )`$ and $`\phi _0𝒮_M(\nu )`$ be chosen as in Theorem 1.9. By Theorem 1.5 (3) and (1.9) one has $`s^{}\psi _0𝒮_M(\varrho ^{})`$, with $`s=s(h_{\psi _0,\phi _0})M^{}`$. Note that $`h_{\psi _0,\phi _0}=h_{\psi _0,\phi _0}(()s)=h_{s\psi _0,\phi _0}`$. By Theorem 1.5 (3) $`d_\mathrm{B}(\nu ,\varrho \varrho ^{})=\phi _0s\psi _0`$ follows. By orthogonality of $`\varrho ^{}`$ with $`\nu `$ we especially must have $`s^{}\psi _0\phi _0`$. Hence also $`s^{}\psi _0(\phi _0s\psi _0)`$, and thus we obtain

$$d_\mathrm{B}(\nu ,\varrho )^2=\phi _0s\psi _0s^{}\psi _0^2=d_\mathrm{B}(\nu ,\varrho \varrho ^{})^2+s^{}\psi _0^2=d_\mathrm{B}(\nu ,\varrho \varrho ^{})^2+\varrho ^{}_1.$$

We may apply this to $`\{\varrho \varrho ^{},\nu \}`$ accordingly, with the result $`d_\mathrm{B}(\varrho \varrho ^{},\nu )^2=d_\mathrm{B}(\varrho \varrho ^{},\nu \nu ^{^{}})^2+\nu ^{^{}}_1`$. By (1) and by symmetry of $`d_\mathrm{B}`$, substitution of the latter into the former relation yields $`d_\mathrm{B}(\nu ,\varrho )^2=d_\mathrm{B}(\nu \nu ^{},\varrho \varrho ^{})^2+\nu ^{}_1+\varrho ^{}_1`$. Since $`\varrho ^{}\nu ^{}`$ and Lemma 1.8 (3) and formula (1.1) imply $`\nu ^{}\varrho ^{}_1=\nu ^{}_1+\varrho ^{}_1=d_\mathrm{B}(\nu ^{},\varrho ^{})^2`$, from this (2) follows. In view of (1.1), (3) is seen. Finally, by Lemma 1.8 (4), $`P_M(\theta ,\theta ^{})P_M(\nu ,\theta ^{})P_M(\nu ,\varrho )`$ as well as $`P_M(\theta ,\theta ^{})P_M(\nu ,\theta ^{})+P_M(\nu ,\varrho \theta ^{})P_M(\nu ,\varrho )`$ must be fulfilled. Therefore, $`P_M(\theta ,\theta ^{})=P_M(\nu ,\varrho )`$ implies $`P_M(\nu ,\varrho \theta ^{})=0`$. By Lemma 1.8 (3) then $`\nu (\varrho \theta ^{})`$ follows. Since $`0(\varrho \theta ^{})\varrho `$ holds, in view of Theorem 1.11 $`\varrho ^{}(\varrho \theta ^{})`$ follows. Hence, $`\theta ^{}\varrho \varrho ^{}`$. Proceeding analogously for $`\theta `$ instead of $`\theta ^{}`$ yields $`\theta \nu \nu ^{}`$. Thus also the final assertion is true. ∎

###### Definition 1.13.

Refer to $`\{\omega ,\sigma \}`$ as minimal pair if $`\omega ^{}=\sigma ^{}=0`$ holds, and refer to $`\{\nu \nu ^{},\varrho \varrho ^{}\}`$ as $`\{\nu ,\varrho \}`$-associated minimal pair.

###### Remark 1.14.

It is obvious from the last part of Lemma 1.12 that the $`\{\nu ,\varrho \}`$-associated minimal pair is the unique minimal pair $`\{\theta ,\theta ^{}\}`$ obeying $`\theta \nu `$, $`\theta ^{}\varrho `$ and $`P_M(\theta ,\theta ^{})=P_M(\nu ,\varrho )`$, see \[3, Lemma 2.1\].

There is yet another remarkable uniqueness result in context of these structures :

###### Theorem 1.15.

\[3, Theorem 3.1\] For given pair $`\{\nu ,\varrho \}`$ of positive linear forms on a unital $`𝖢^{}`$-algebra $`M`$, there is a unique $`gM^{}`$ obeying

1. $`g(\mathrm{𝟏})=\sqrt{P_M(\nu ,\varrho )},`$
2. $`|g(y^{}x)|^2\{\nu \nu ^{}\}(y^{}y)\{\varrho \varrho ^{}\}(x^{}x),x,yM.`$

## 2. Forthcoming results

### 2.1. Setting the problems

The problems of this paper naturally came along when analyzing in context of the hypothesis of Theorem 1.9 an example recently noticed in  and some other optimization problem, see \[7, Theorem 6 (2)\].

###### Problem 2.1.

1. Despite the given proof of Theorem 1.9, we are missing a true criterion along which one can decide whether or not, for given individual vector $`\phi _0`$ in the $`\pi `$-fibre of $`\nu `$, the condition in the hypothesis of Theorem 1.9 could be satisfied at all, by some vector $`\psi _0`$ in the $`\pi `$-fibre of $`\varrho `$.
2. Let $`𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\nu |\varrho )`$ be the subset of all $`\phi _0`$ in the $`\pi `$-fibre of $`\nu `$ for which the question in (1) can be affirmatively answered. Then, provided $`\phi _0𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\nu |\varrho )`$ is fulfilled, is there a formula giving a particular $`\psi _0`$ to that $`\phi _0`$ ?
3. Especially, by Theorem 1.9 the question is left open whether $`𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\nu |\varrho )=𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\nu )`$ might happen, on a given unital $`𝖢^{}`$-algebra.
4. And finally, provided for some $`M`$ the answer in (3) can be in the negative, what about the structure of those pairs $`\{\nu ,\varrho \}`$ with $`𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\nu |\varrho )𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\nu )`$ ?

Thereby, in line with Remark 1.6 (2) and Lemma 1.8 (2), it is reasonable to content ourselves with considering these questions for $`vN`$-algebras with normal positive linear forms which can be implemented by vectors. In making reference to some ideas about hereditarity (we omit all these details), we even can be assured that without essential loss of generality we might confine ourselves to considering $`d_\mathrm{B}`$ over normal positive linear forms over a standard form $`vN`$-algebra $`M`$. Therefore, the problems in questions will be dealt with and answered examplarily at least for such cases. Then also the notational conventions of Remark 1.6 (3) tacitly will be in use, and $`𝒮_M(\nu |\varrho )`$ instead of $`𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\nu |\varrho )`$ will be written.

###### Remark 2.2.

On a finite standard form $`vN`$-algebra $`M`$, problems (1), (3) and (4) trivialize, for then always

(2.1)
$$𝒮_M(\nu )=𝒮_M(\nu |\varrho )=\{u\phi _0:u^{}u=\mathrm{𝟏},uM^{}\}$$

holds, with arbitrary $`\phi _0𝒮_M(\nu )`$. In fact, for finite $`M`$, $`M^{}`$ is finite, too. Since in a finite $`vN`$-algebra each partial isometry admits unitary extensions, for each orthoprojection $`qM^{}`$ one has $`\{vM^{}:v^{}v=q\}=𝒰(M^{})q`$. Especially then also $`𝒰(M^{})=\{vM^{}:v^{}v=\mathrm{𝟏}\}`$ follows. Hence, in view of (1.5) each fibre is the $`𝒰(M^{})`$-orbit of each of its vectors. From this and Theorem 1.9 then (2.1) follows.

### 2.2. The general criterion

The first two problems of Problem 2.1 can be answered under the rather general settings of a unital $`𝖢^{}`$-algebra $`M`$, a pair $`\{\nu ,\varrho \}`$ of positive linear forms, and $`\varrho ^{}`$ as determined by Theorem 1.11. Under the same premises as in Theorem 1.9, we have the following result.

###### Theorem 2.3.

A vector $`\phi _0𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\nu )`$ belongs to $`𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\nu |\varrho )`$ if, and only if, there are $`\eta 𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\varrho ^{})`$ and $`\psi 𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\varrho )`$ satisfying

(2.2a)
$$p_\pi ^{}(\eta )s(|h_{\psi ,\phi _0}^\pi |)^{}.$$

If this condition is fulfilled, then the special vector
(2.2b)
$$\psi _0=v_{\psi ,\phi _0}^\pi \psi +\eta $$

belongs to $`𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\varrho )`$, that is, $`d_\mathrm{B}(\nu ,\varrho )=\psi _0\phi _0`$ is satisfied. Thereby, for given $`\phi _0`$ and $`\eta `$, (2.2a) remains true for any $`\psi 𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\varrho )`$, and $`\psi _0`$ as given by formula (2.2b) is the same, for each such $`\psi `$.
For the proof, it is useful to take notice of the following auxiliary results first.

###### Lemma 2.4.

Let $`\nu ,\varrho M_+`$ and $`\phi 𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\nu )`$, $`\psi 𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\varrho )`$. The following hold:

1. $`p_\pi ^{}\left(v_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi \psi \right)=s\left(\left|h_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi \right|\right);`$
2. $`\stackrel{~}{\psi }𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\varrho ):\left|h_{\stackrel{~}{\psi },\phi }^\pi \right|=\left|h_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi \right|,v_{\stackrel{~}{\psi },\phi }^\pi =wv_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi ,\text{with}w\pi (M)^{}\text{obeying}\text{}w^{}w=p_\pi ^{}(\psi ),\stackrel{~}{\psi }=w\psi ;`$
3. $`v_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi \psi ,s\left(|h_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi |\right)\psi 𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\varrho \varrho ^{}),s\left(|h_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi |\right)^{}\psi 𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\varrho ^{}).`$

###### Proof.

Note that $`s\left(\left|h_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi \right|\right)p_\pi ^{}\left(v_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi \psi \right)`$, by (1.6ba), and $`p_\pi ^{}\left(v_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi \psi \right)s\left(\left|h_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi \right|\right)`$ by (1.6bb). Hence (1) follows. Relating (2), remark that by (1.5) $`w\pi (M)^{}`$ obeying $`w^{}w=p_\pi ^{}(\psi )`$ and $`\stackrel{~}{\psi }=w\psi `$ exists and is unique. In view of this and (1.6cb), $`u=wv_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi `$ is a partial isometry of $`\pi (M)^{}`$, with $`u^{}u=v_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi v_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi =s\left(\left|h_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi \right|\right)`$. From this and $`h_{\stackrel{~}{\psi },\phi }^\pi =h_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi (()w)=\left|h_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi \right|(()u)`$ by uniqueness of the polar decomposition the validity of (2) follows.

Let $`\psi _0,\phi _0`$ be as in Theorem 1.9. By Theorem 1 (3), $`h_{\psi _0,\phi _0}^\pi 0`$, and according to (1.9), $`s\left(h_{\psi _0,\phi _0}^\pi \right)\psi _0𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\varrho \varrho ^{})`$. By (2) one has $`w,u\pi (M)^{}`$, with $`w^{}w=p_\pi ^{}(\psi _0)`$, $`\psi =w\psi _0`$, $`u^{}u=p_\pi ^{}(\phi _0)`$, $`\phi =u\phi _0`$ and obeying $`v_{\psi ,\phi _0}^\pi =wv_{\psi _0,\phi _0}^\pi `$, $`v_{\phi ,\psi }^\pi =uv_{\phi _0,\psi }^\pi `$. The partial isometry $`v_{\alpha ,\beta }`$ of the polar decomposition of $`h_{\alpha ,\beta }`$ has to obey $`v_{\alpha ,\beta }^{}=v_{\beta ,\alpha }`$. Hence, $`v_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi =v_{\phi ,\psi }^\pi =uv_{\phi _0,\psi }^\pi =uv_{\psi ,\phi _0}^\pi =uv_{\psi _0,\phi _0}^\pi w^{}`$ follows. From this together with the other properties of $`w,u`$ one gets

(2.3)
$$v_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi \psi =uv_{\psi _0,\phi _0}^\pi \psi _0.$$

By $`h_{\psi _0,\phi _0}^\pi 0`$ one has $`v_{\psi _0,\phi _0}^\pi =s\left(h_{\psi _0,\phi _0}^\pi \right)`$. Thus, from $`u^{}u=p_\pi ^{}(\phi _0)s\left(h_{\psi _0,\phi _0}^\pi \right)`$ in view of $`s\left(h_{\psi _0,\phi _0}^\pi \right)\psi _0𝒮_M(\varrho \varrho ^{})`$ and (2.3) also $`v_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi \psi 𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\varrho \varrho ^{})`$ follows. In view of (1.6cb) and (1.5) then $`s\left(|h_{\psi ,\phi }^\pi |\right)\psi 𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\varrho \varrho ^{})`$ is obtained. From this (3) follows. ∎

###### Proof.

(of Theorem 2.3) Suppose $`\eta 𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\varrho ^{})`$ satisfies (2.2a) for some $`\psi 𝒮_M(\varrho )`$, and given $`\phi _0𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\nu )`$. By Lemma 2.4 (2) the same premises then hold with respect to any other vector $`\psi `$ in the $`\pi `$-fibre of $`\varrho `$. Also, by Lemma 2.4 (1), one has $`p_\pi ^{}(v_{\psi ,\phi _0}^\pi \psi )=s\left(|h_{\psi ,\phi _0}^\pi |\right)`$. From this and (2.2a) in view of Lemma 2.4 (3) then $`\psi _0𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\varrho )`$ follows. By Theorem 1.11, $`\varrho ^{}\nu `$. This is the same as $`p_\pi (\eta )p_\pi (\phi _0)`$, and thus in view of (1.6ba) and by construction of $`\psi _0`$, in accordance with (2.2b) $`h_{\psi _0,\phi _0}^\pi =h_{\psi ,\phi _0}^\pi \left(()v_{\psi ,\phi _0}^\pi \right)=|h_{\psi ,\phi _0}^\pi |0`$. By Theorem 1.5 (3) we see $`d_\mathrm{B}(\nu ,\varrho )=\psi _0\phi _0`$, for $`\psi _0`$ of (2.2b). Note that our situation with $`\phi _0,\psi _0`$ and $`\psi `$ can be easily adapted to a context where relation (2.3) can be used. In fact, choosing $`\phi =\phi _0`$ there, in the notation of the previous proof one has $`u=p_\pi ^{}(\phi _0)`$, and in view of $`p_\pi ^{}(v_{\psi ,\phi _0}^\pi \psi )=s\left(|h_{\psi ,\phi _0}^\pi |\right)p_\pi ^{}(\phi _0)`$ (see above and (1.6bb)) the relation (2.3) yields $`v_{\psi ,\phi _0}^\pi \psi =v_{\psi _0,\phi _0}^\pi \psi _0`$, for each other $`\psi 𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\varrho )`$. Hence, $`\psi _0`$ of (2.2b) does not depend on the special $`\psi `$, provided $`\phi _0`$, $`\eta `$ are held fixed.

To see that (2.2a) is necessary, let $`\psi _0,\phi _0`$ obey $`d_\mathrm{B}(\nu ,\varrho )=\psi _0\phi _0`$. By Theorem 1.5 (3), $`h_{\psi _0,\phi _0}^\pi 0`$, and thus $`s(h_{\psi _0,\phi _0}^\pi )^{}\psi _0𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\varrho ^{})`$, by Lemma 2.4 (3). Obviously, for $`\psi =\psi _0`$ the condition (2.2a) can be satisfied with $`\eta =s(h_{\psi _0,\phi _0}^\pi )^{}\psi _0`$. In view of the above this completes the proof. ∎

### 2.3. Specific applications

In the following $`M`$ will be a $`vN`$-algebra acting in standard form on a Hilbert space $``$, with cyclic and separating vector $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$. The previous results then make sense with respect to the identity representation, and can be considered for each pair $`\{\nu ,\varrho \}`$, $`\nu ,\varrho M_+`$ (normal positive linear forms).

#### 2.3.1. Modular cone and implementing vectors

Recall a few basic facts from modular theory. Let $`S_\mathrm{\Omega }`$, $`F_\mathrm{\Omega }`$, $`\mathrm{\Delta }_\mathrm{\Omega }`$ and $`J_\mathrm{\Omega }`$ be the modular operations of the pair $`\{M,\mathrm{\Omega }\}`$ with their usual meanings, and which are associated to the respective actions of $`M`$ and $`M^{}`$, with their respective dense standard domains of definition $`𝒟\left(S_\mathrm{\Omega }\right)`$, $`𝒟\left(F_\mathrm{\Omega }\right)`$ and $`𝒟\left(\mathrm{\Delta }_\mathrm{\Omega }\right)`$ within $``$. Remind that $`S_\mathrm{\Omega }`$ and $`F_\mathrm{\Omega }`$ are the closures of the (usually unbounded but closable) antilinear operators which arise from the action of the hermitian conjugation $`M\mathrm{\Omega }x\mathrm{\Omega }x^{}\mathrm{\Omega }`$ and $`M^{}\mathrm{\Omega }y\mathrm{\Omega }y^{}\mathrm{\Omega }`$ on $`M`$ and $`M^{}`$, respectively. The polar decomposition of $`S_\mathrm{\Omega }`$ reads as $`S_\mathrm{\Omega }=J_\mathrm{\Omega }\mathrm{\Delta }_\mathrm{\Omega }^{1/2}`$, where $`\mathrm{\Delta }_\mathrm{\Omega }=S_\mathrm{\Omega }^{}S_\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is the modular operator, which is linear, and the modular conjugation $`J_\mathrm{\Omega }`$, which is antiunitary and selfadjoint, and therefore obeys $`J_\mathrm{\Omega }^2=\mathrm{𝟏}`$.

An important feature is that by $`MxJ_\mathrm{\Omega }xJ_\mathrm{\Omega }M^{}`$ a -antiisomorphism between $`M`$ and $`M^{}`$ is given, $`J_\mathrm{\Omega }MJ_\mathrm{\Omega }=M^{}`$ (Tomita’s theorem). Especially, for each $`\phi `$ one therefore has $`p(\phi )=\overline{J_\mathrm{\Omega }MJ_\mathrm{\Omega }\phi }=J_\mathrm{\Omega }\overline{M\{J_\mathrm{\Omega }\phi \}}`$. Thus, by idempotency of $`J_\mathrm{\Omega }`$ and Tomita’s theorem, the following intertwining relation is seen :

(2.4)
$$p(\phi )J_\mathrm{\Omega }=J_\mathrm{\Omega }p^{}\left(J_\mathrm{\Omega }\phi \right).$$

Through the following setting a self-dual cone in $``$ can be associated with $`\{M,\mathrm{\Omega }\}`$ :

(2.5a)
$$𝒫_\mathrm{\Omega }^{\mathrm{}}=\overline{\{xJ_\mathrm{\Omega }xJ_\mathrm{\Omega }\mathrm{\Omega }:xM\}}=\overline{\{yJ_\mathrm{\Omega }yJ_\mathrm{\Omega }\mathrm{\Omega }:yM^{}\}}.$$

Recall that self-duality means that the following holds :
$$𝒫_\mathrm{\Omega }^{\mathrm{}}=\{\psi :\psi ,\xi 0,\xi 𝒫_\mathrm{\Omega }^{\mathrm{}}\}.$$

The elements of this natural positive cone are (pointwise) invariant under the action of the modular conjugation $`J_\mathrm{\Omega }`$, and it is known from modular theory that $`𝒫_\mathrm{\Omega }^{\mathrm{}}`$ (the modular cone) is generating for the real linear space $`_{\mathrm{sa}}^\mathrm{\Omega }`$ of all vectors fixed under the action of the modular conjugation:
(2.5b)
$$_{\mathrm{sa}}^\mathrm{\Omega }=\{\psi :J_\mathrm{\Omega }\psi =\psi \}=𝒫_\mathrm{\Omega }^{\mathrm{}}𝒫_\mathrm{\Omega }^{\mathrm{}}.$$

Remark that each vector $`\psi _{\mathrm{sa}}^\mathrm{\Omega }`$ can be uniquely decomposed as $`\psi =\xi _+\xi _{}`$, with $`\xi _+,\xi _{}𝒫_\mathrm{\Omega }^{\mathrm{}}`$ and $`\xi _+\xi _{}`$.

Most importantly, to each $`\nu M_+`$ there is exactly one vector $`\xi _\nu 𝒫_\mathrm{\Omega }^{\mathrm{}}𝒮_M(\nu )`$, and it is known since the work of  that the mapping

(2.6a)
$$M_+\nu \xi _\nu 𝒫_\mathrm{\Omega }^{\mathrm{}}$$

is onto and obeys the estimate
(2.6b)
$$\xi _\nu \xi _\varrho ^2\nu \varrho _1\xi _\nu \xi _\varrho \xi _\nu +\xi _\varrho ,$$

for any two $`\nu ,\varrho M_+`$, which shows that both cones $`M_+`$ and $`𝒫_\mathrm{\Omega }^{\mathrm{}}`$ are mutually homeomorphic when considered with the topologies which are induced by the respective uniform topologies of $`M_{}`$ and $``$, respectively.

Finally, remark that in modular theory, by basic facts known from , to each two cyclic and separating vectors $`\mathrm{\Omega },\mathrm{\Omega }^{}`$ of $`M`$ there is a unique $`U(\mathrm{\Omega }^{},\mathrm{\Omega })𝒰(M^{})`$ such that

(2.7a)
$$𝒫_\mathrm{\Omega }^{}^{\mathrm{}}=U(\mathrm{\Omega }^{},\mathrm{\Omega })𝒫_\mathrm{\Omega }^{\mathrm{}}.$$

Thereby, $`U(\mathrm{\Omega }^{},\mathrm{\Omega })=\mathrm{𝟏}`$ is fulfilled if, and only if, $`\mathrm{\Omega }^{}𝒫_\mathrm{\Omega }^{\mathrm{}}`$ holds. and the unitary $`U(\mathrm{\Omega }^{},\mathrm{\Omega })`$ obeys the following chain rule :
(2.7b)
$$U(w\mathrm{\Omega }^{},\mathrm{\Omega })=wU(\mathrm{\Omega }^{},\mathrm{\Omega }),w𝒰(M^{}).$$

###### Example 2.5.

Let $`𝖡()`$ act by multiplication from the left on Hilbert-Schmidt operators $`𝒦`$ over the separable Hilbert space $``$ (call the resulting $`vN`$-algebra $`M`$). Let $`\tau `$ be the unique normal trace induced on $`M`$ by the standard trace ‘$`\mathrm{tr}`$’. Then, since $`𝒦`$ is already complete under the Hilbert-Schmidt norm $`_2`$, which corresponds to the scalar product $`x,y=\mathrm{tr}y^{}x`$, for $`x,y𝒦`$, in terms of Example 1.7, $`𝒦`$ can be identified with $`L^2(M,\tau )=^2(M,\tau )`$, and the usual trace class operators uniquely correspond to $`L^1(M,\tau )=^1(M,\tau )`$, see . $`\mathrm{\Omega }𝒦`$ is cyclic and separating for $`M`$ if, and only if, $`s(|\mathrm{\Omega }|)=s(|\mathrm{\Omega }^{}|)=\mathrm{𝟏}`$. In particular, each positive Hilbert-Schmidt operator with full support can be taken for $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$. Also, each two $`\nu ,\varrho M_+`$ then have the form $`\nu =\tau _a`$ and $`\varrho =\tau _c`$, with unique $`a,cL^1(M,\tau )_+`$, and in sense of the above identifications the following holds with respect to each $`\mathrm{\Omega }>\mathrm{𝟎}`$ :

(2.8a)
$$𝒫_\mathrm{\Omega }^{\mathrm{}}=^2(M,\tau )_+,\text{ with }\xi _\mu =\sqrt{m}\text{ whenever }\mu =\tau _m,mL^1(M,\tau )_+;$$

(2.8b)
$$\xi _\nu \xi _\varrho ^2=\nu _1+\varrho _12\tau (\sqrt{a}\sqrt{c})=\sqrt{a}\sqrt{c}_2^2.$$

#### 2.3.2. Bures distance and modular vectors

The most interesting information arising from specializing Theorem 2.3 to the modular context will be that the hypothesis of Lemma 2.4 can be fulfilled, for each modular vector $`\phi _0`$, that is, whenever $`\phi _0𝒫_\mathrm{\Omega }^{\mathrm{}}`$ holds, for some cyclic and separating vector $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ of $`M`$. In fact, if $`\{M,\mathrm{\Omega }\}`$ is a standard form algebra over $``$, then the following is true :

###### Lemma 2.6.

$`\nu ,\varrho M_+:p^{}(\xi _\varrho ^{})s(|h_{\xi _\varrho ,\xi _\nu }|)^{}.`$

###### Proof.

Let $`\varrho ^{}`$ be defined as in Theorem 1.11. Then, by $`\nu \varrho ^{}`$ one especially has $`p(\xi _\varrho ^{})p(\xi _\nu )^{}`$. Hence, in view of (2.5b) the intertwining relations (2.4) can be applied and show that $`J_\mathrm{\Omega }p\left(\xi _\varrho ^{}\right)J_\mathrm{\Omega }=p^{}\left(\xi _\varrho ^{}\right)`$ and $`J_\mathrm{\Omega }p\left(\xi _\nu \right)J_\mathrm{\Omega }=p^{}(\xi _\nu )`$ are fulfilled, and therefore in view of the above $`p^{}(\xi _\varrho ^{})p^{}(\xi _\nu )^{}`$ has to hold. On the other hand, we have $`s\left(\left|h_{\xi _\varrho ,\xi _\nu }\right|\right)p^{}(\xi _\nu )`$, by (1.6bb). The assertion now will follow upon combining together the last two relations. ∎

In line with formula (2.2b), for given $`\{M,\mathrm{\Omega }\}`$ consider the vector-valued map

(2.9a)
$$M_+\times M_+\{\nu ,\varrho \}\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\nu (\varrho )𝒮_M(\varrho )$$

which in accordance with Theorem 2.3 can be defined by
(2.9b)
$$\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\nu (\varrho )=v_{\xi _\varrho ,\xi _\nu }^{}\xi _\varrho +\xi _\varrho ^{}=v_{\psi ,\xi _\nu }^{}\psi +\xi _\varrho ^{},\psi 𝒮_M(\varrho ).$$

In accordance with Theorem 2.3 the hypothesis of Theorem 1.9 in the modular context then may be supplemented by the following additional information :

###### Theorem 2.7 ().

$`\nu ,\varrho M_+:d_\mathrm{B}(\nu ,\varrho )=\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\nu (\varrho )\xi _\nu .`$

Much about structure and meaning of the map (2.9a) is known. In context of the following result we only mention the probably most important properties.

###### Lemma 2.8.

For each $`\nu ,\varrho M_+`$ and cyclic and separating vector $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ the following properties hold:

1. $`\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\nu (\varrho )`$ is the unique $`\stackrel{~}{\psi }𝒮_M(\varrho )`$ with $`d_\mathrm{B}(\nu ,\varrho )=\stackrel{~}{\psi }\xi _\nu \varrho ^{}=0;`$
2. $`\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\nu (\varrho )=\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\nu (\varrho \varrho ^{})+\xi _\varrho ^{};`$
3. $`\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\nu (\varrho )_{\mathrm{sa}}^\mathrm{\Omega }\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\nu (\varrho )𝒫_\mathrm{\Omega }^{\mathrm{}}\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\nu (\varrho \varrho ^{})𝒫_\mathrm{\Omega }^{\mathrm{}}\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\nu (\varrho \varrho ^{})_{\mathrm{sa}}^\mathrm{\Omega }.`$

###### Proof.

In the following, we let $`\psi =\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\nu (\varrho )`$, $`h=h_{\psi ,\xi _\nu }`$. To prove (1), note first that, for $`\stackrel{~}{\psi }`$ in the fibre of $`\varrho `$, with $`d_\mathrm{B}(\nu ,\varrho )=\stackrel{~}{\psi }\xi _\nu `$, by Theorem 1.5 (3), also $`\stackrel{~}{h}=h_{\stackrel{~}{\psi },\xi _\nu }0`$. Also, for $`wM^{}`$ with $`w^{}w=p^{}(\psi )`$ and $`\stackrel{~}{\psi }=w\psi `$ in accordance with Lemma 2.4 (2) we see that $`h=\stackrel{~}{h}`$ and $`s(h)=ws(h)`$ have to be fulfilled. Now, suppose $`\varrho ^{}0`$. Then $`s(\stackrel{~}{h})^{}\stackrel{~}{\psi }𝒮_M(\varrho ^{})`$ cannot vanish. Hence, for each $`t[0,2\pi [`$, also $`\psi _t=s(\stackrel{~}{h})\stackrel{~}{\psi }+\mathrm{exp}(𝗂t)s(\stackrel{~}{h})^{}\stackrel{~}{\psi }𝒮_M(\varrho ^{})`$, with $`h_{\psi _t,\xi _\nu }=h_{s(\stackrel{~}{h})\stackrel{~}{\psi },\xi _\nu }=\stackrel{~}{h}0`$. Hence, $`d_\mathrm{B}(\nu ,\varrho )=\psi _t\xi _\nu `$ for all $`t[0,2\pi [`$, by Theorem 1.5 (3). For $`t0`$ obviously $`\psi _t\stackrel{~}{\psi }`$. By Theorem 2.7 this especially applies to $`\stackrel{~}{\psi }=\psi `$, and thus for $`\varrho ^{}0`$ nonuniqueness follows. On the other hand, in case of $`\varrho ^{}=0`$, in view of the above and Lemma 2.4 (3), one has $`p^{}(\psi )=s(h)`$. The above condition on $`w`$ in this case yields $`p^{}(\psi )=s(h)=w`$, and therefore $`\stackrel{~}{\psi }=\psi `$, that is, uniqueness holds.

To see (2), note first that $`\psi =s(h)\psi +\xi _\varrho ^{}`$ holds, by (2.9b). Let $`\psi ^{}=\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\nu (\varrho \varrho ^{})`$ and $`h^{}=h_{s(h)\psi ,\xi _\nu }`$. Obviously we then have $`h^{}=h0`$. By Lemma 2.4 (3) and Lemma 1.12 (1), $`s(h)\psi 𝒮_M(\varrho \varrho ^{})`$ and $`(\varrho \varrho ^{})^{^{}}=0`$ have to be fulfilled. Owing to $`h^{}0`$, $`d_\mathrm{B}(\nu ,\varrho \varrho ^{})=s(h)\psi \xi _\nu `$, by Theorem 1.5 (3). Owing to $`(\varrho \varrho ^{})^{^{}}=0`$, (1) can be applied to the pair $`\{\nu ,\varrho \varrho ^{}\}`$, and then yields $`\psi ^{}=s(h)\psi `$. Substituting the latter into $`\psi =s(h)\psi +\xi _\varrho ^{}`$ then gives (2).

Note that since $`𝒫_\mathrm{\Omega }^{\mathrm{}}`$ is a (convex) cone, the first two of the ‘$``$’-implications and the third ‘$``$’-implication within (3), as well as the implication $`\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\nu (\varrho \varrho ^{})_{\mathrm{sa}}^\mathrm{\Omega }\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\nu (\varrho )_{\mathrm{sa}}^\mathrm{\Omega }`$, follow from (2.5b) and (2). Owing to this and $`𝒫_\mathrm{\Omega }^{\mathrm{}}_{\mathrm{sa}}^\mathrm{\Omega }`$, to see the remaining other implications, it suffices to prove the implication $`\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\nu (\varrho )_{\mathrm{sa}}^\mathrm{\Omega }\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\nu (\varrho \varrho ^{})𝒫_\mathrm{\Omega }^{\mathrm{}}`$. In line with this, assume $`\psi _{\mathrm{sa}}^\mathrm{\Omega }`$. Formula (2) in accordance with (2.5b) then tells us that $`\psi ^{}_{\mathrm{sa}}^\mathrm{\Omega }`$ holds. Also, in view of Lemma 2.4 (3) and $`(\varrho \varrho ^{})^{^{}}=0`$, one has $`p^{}(\psi ^{})=s(h)p^{}(\xi _\nu )`$. Now, remind the fact mentioned on in context of (2.5b) and saying that in this case $`\psi ^{}=\eta _+\eta _{}`$ has to be fulfilled with vectors $`\eta _+,\eta _{}𝒫_\mathrm{\Omega }^{\mathrm{}}`$, with $`\eta _+\eta _{}`$. Let $`\nu _\pm M_+`$ be the positive linear forms implemented by $`\eta _\pm `$. By uniqueness of the map of (2.6a) one has $`\xi _{\nu _\pm }=\eta _\pm `$, and by orthogonality $`\eta _+\eta _{}`$ and since $`\nu _\pm _1=\eta _\pm ^2`$ is fulfilled, from estimate (2.6b) the relation $`\nu _+\nu _{}_1=\nu _+_1+\nu _{}_1`$ can be inferred. Hence, $`\nu _+\nu _{}`$, that is $`p\left(\eta _+\right)p\left(\eta _{}\right)`$ holds. With the help of (2.5b) and (2.4) then also $`p^{}\left(\eta _+\right)p^{}\left(\eta _{}\right)`$. Hence, $`\varrho \varrho ^{}=\nu _++\nu _{}`$. The latter implies $`p\left(\eta _\pm \right)p(\psi ^{})`$. Since by assumption $`J_\mathrm{\Omega }\psi ^{}=\psi ^{}`$ holds, in reasoning with (2.4) once more again from this in view of the above $`p^{}\left(\eta _\pm \right)p^{}\left(\psi ^{}\right)=s(h)p^{}\left(\xi _\nu \right)`$ can be seen. But then especially $`p^{}\left(\eta _{}\right)\psi ^{}=\eta _{}`$, from which $`h_{\psi ^{},\xi _\nu }\left(p^{}\left(\eta _{}\right)\right)=\eta _{},\xi `$ has to be followed. Now, by Theorem 2.7 and Theorem 1.5 (3), when applied to the pair $`\{\nu ,\varrho \varrho ^{}\}`$, positivity of $`h_{\psi ^{},\xi _\nu }`$ can be seen. In line with the previously derived then especially $`\eta _{},\xi _\nu 0`$ has to hold, for $`\eta _{},\xi _\nu 𝒫_\mathrm{\Omega }^{\mathrm{}}`$. Since the scalar product between vectors of the natural positive cone has to be always a nonnegative real, $`\eta _{},\xi _\nu =0`$ is inferred to hold. As argued above, orthogonality among vectors of the natural positive cone then implies orthogonality of the associated $`p`$\- and $`p^{}`$-projections, respectively. Thus especially $`p^{}\left(\eta _{}\right)p^{}\left(\xi _\nu \right)`$. This in view of $`p^{}\left(\eta _{}\right)p^{}\left(\xi _\nu \right)`$ implies $`p^{}\left(\eta _{}\right)=\mathrm{𝟎}`$. Hence $`\eta _{}=0`$, and thus $`\psi ^{}𝒫_\mathrm{\Omega }^{\mathrm{}}`$ holds, and which is (3). ∎

Without proof mention some additional facts about (2.9b), see .

###### Lemma 2.9.

Let $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ be a cyclic and separating vector of $`M`$. Let $`\nu ,\varrho M_+`$, and let $`fM_{}`$ be defined by $`f=()|_M\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\nu (\varrho ),\xi _\nu `$, with $`\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\nu (\varrho )`$ of (2.9b). The following properties hold:

1. $`\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\nu (\varrho )`$ is continuous at each $`\{\nu ,\varrho \}`$ with $`\varrho ^{}=0`$ ;
2. $`\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\nu (\varrho )𝒫_\mathrm{\Omega }^{\mathrm{}}f=f^{}f0.`$

The normal linear form $`f`$ defined in the premises of the previous Lemma is a quite interesting structure. First of all, by definition of $`f`$ and according to Theorem 2.7, Theorem 1.5 (3) and Lemma 1.4 one has

(2.10a)
$$f(\mathrm{𝟏})=\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\nu (\varrho ),\xi _\nu =h_{\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\nu (\varrho ),\xi _\nu }(\mathrm{𝟏})=\sqrt{P_M(\nu ,\varrho )}.$$

Secondly, since orthogonality of $`\varrho ^{}`$ to $`\nu `$ also implies $`p^{}(\xi _\varrho ^{})p^{}(\xi _\nu )`$, from (2.9b) especially also follows that $`f`$ can be rewritten as following :
(2.10b)
$$f=()|_M\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\nu (\varrho ),\xi _\nu =()|_Mv_{\xi _\varrho ,\xi _\nu }^{}\xi _\varrho ,\xi _\nu =()|_Mv_{\xi _\varrho ,\xi _\nu }^{}\xi _\varrho ,s(|h_{\xi _\nu ,\xi _\varrho }^{}|)\xi _\nu ,$$

where also (1.6bb) and the relation $`h_{\xi _\nu ,\xi _\varrho }^{}=h_{\xi _\varrho ,\xi _\nu }`$ have been taken into account. Note that according to Lemma 2.4 (3), $`v_{\xi _\varrho ,\xi _\nu }^{}\xi _\varrho 𝒮_M(\varrho \varrho ^{})`$ and $`s(|h_{\xi _\nu ,\xi _\varrho }^{}|)\xi _\nu 𝒮_M(\nu \nu ^{})`$ hold. But then, (2.10a) and (2.10b) prove that $`f`$ obviously obeys the conditions (1) and (2) in Theorem 1.15. Thus, by Theorem 1.15, $`g=f`$ is identified.

On the other hand, by an analogous line of reasoning, $`f^{}=()|_M\xi _\varrho ,\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\varrho (\nu )`$ is obeying conditions Theorem 1.15 (1)–(2). Hence, by Theorem 1.15 again, $`g=f^{}`$. We may summarize this as follows.

###### Lemma 2.10.

For $`\nu ,\varrho M_+`$, the unique $`gM^{}`$ given by Theorem 1.15 is

$$g=f=()|_M\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\nu (\varrho ),\xi _\nu =()|_M\xi _\varrho ,\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\varrho (\nu ).$$

In particular, from this follows that $`f`$ for a given pair $`\{\nu ,\varrho \}`$ is uniquely determined by the associated minimal pair, see Definition 1.13/Remark 1.14.

#### 2.3.3. Bures distance and commutation of states

Those pairs $`\{\nu ,\varrho \}`$ of normal positive linear forms and fulfilling $`\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\nu (\varrho )𝒫_\mathrm{\Omega }^{\mathrm{}}`$ deserve special interest.

###### Definition 2.11.

Suppose $`\nu ,\varrho M_+`$, and be $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ a cyclic and separating vector. $`\varrho `$ is said to commute with $`\nu `$ if $`\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\nu (\varrho )=\xi _\varrho `$ is fulfilled.

We are going to show that commutation is a symmetric relation.

###### Lemma 2.12.

For each $`\nu ,\varrho M_+`$ the following are equivalent:

1. $`\varrho `$ commutes with $`\nu `$ ;
2. $`\nu `$ commutes with $`\varrho `$ .

###### Proof.

In view of the symmetry of the assertion, we may content ourselves with proving e.g. that (1) implies (2). Suppose (1). In line with this and Definition 2.11, $`\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\nu (\varrho )=\xi _\varrho `$. By Theorem 2.7 and Theorem 1.5 (3) we then have $`h=h_{\xi _\varrho ,\xi _\nu }=h_{\xi _\nu ,\xi _\varrho }0`$. From this with the help of Tomita’s theorem and owing to (2.5b) for each $`xM`$, and corresponding $`yM^{}`$ with $`y=J_\mathrm{\Omega }xJ_\mathrm{\Omega }`$, we infer that $`f(x^{}x)=x^{}xJ_\mathrm{\Omega }\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\nu (\varrho ),J_\mathrm{\Omega }\xi _\nu =\xi _\nu ,J_\mathrm{\Omega }x^{}xJ_\mathrm{\Omega }\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\nu (\varrho )=y^{}y\xi _\nu ,\xi _\varrho =h(y^{}y)0`$. According to Lemma 2.10 we then also have $`()|_M\xi _\varrho ,\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\varrho (\nu )=f0`$. This is the same as $`()|_M\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\varrho (\nu ),\xi _\varrho 0`$. The conclusion of Lemma 2.9 (2) when applied to $`\{\varrho ,\nu \}`$ then yields $`\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\varrho (\nu )=\xi _\nu `$, that is, also $`\nu `$ commutes with $`\varrho `$. ∎

By Theorem 2.7, in case of commutation the estimate $`d_\mathrm{B}(\nu ,\varrho )\xi _\nu \xi _\varrho `$ turns into an equality. The conjecture is that the latter behavior is equivalent to commutation between $`\nu `$ and $`\varrho `$, generally (though this is plausible it is not an obvious matter). For those pairs $`\{\nu ,\varrho \}`$ on a general $`M`$ however, which will be of interest throughout the rest of the paper, the conjecture can be justified easily. This will be done now (see also \[3, § 6, Theorem 6.15\] for the case of minimal pairs).

###### Lemma 2.13.

Assume $`\nu ,\varrho M_+`$ with either $`\nu ^{}=\mathrm{𝟎}`$ or $`\varrho ^{}=\mathrm{𝟎}`$. The following are equivalent:

1. $`\varrho `$ commutes with $`\nu `$ ;
2. $`d_\mathrm{B}(\nu ,\varrho )=\xi _\nu \xi _\varrho `$ .

###### Proof.

The implications $`(\text{1})(\text{2})`$ follows at once from Definition 2.11 and Theorem 2.7. Suppose (2) to be fulfilled, and be $`\varrho ^{}=\mathrm{𝟎}`$. Then, by Theorem 2.7 and Lemma 2.8 (1), $`\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\nu (\varrho )=\xi _\varrho `$, and (1) is seen. In case of $`\nu ^{}=\mathrm{𝟎}`$ the same reasoning by Theorem 2.7 and Lemma 2.8 (1) for the pair $`\{\varrho ,\nu \}`$ will yield $`\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\varrho (\nu )=\xi _\nu `$, which in view of Lemma 2.12 amounts to (1) again. ∎

On the other hand, in important special cases of $`M`$, like matrix algebras and, more generally, $`vN`$-algebras of type $`\mathrm{I}`$, the conjecture can be shown easily, for each pair of normal positive linear forms. For the type-$`\mathrm{I}_{\mathrm{}}`$-factor a proof will be given.

###### Example 2.14.

Suppose $`M𝖡()`$ and $`\tau `$ as in Example 2.5, and suppose $`\mathrm{\Omega }>\mathrm{𝟎}`$. Let $`\nu =\tau _a,\varrho =\tau _c`$, with positive trace class operators $`a`$ and $`c`$. Suppose $`\varrho `$ commutes with $`\nu `$. By (1.1), (2.8b), (1.7a) and Theorem 2.7, Definition 2.11 then amounts to

$$\tau (\sqrt{a}\sqrt{c})=\sqrt{P_M(\nu ,\varrho )}=\tau (|\sqrt{a}\sqrt{c}|).$$

Since $`\tau `$ is faithful, by (1.7b) the previous is equivalent to commutation $`ac=ca`$.

On the other hand, suppose $`\nu =\tau _a,\varrho =\tau _c`$, with positive trace class operators $`a`$ and $`c`$ which are commuting, in the sense of operator theory. Then, since $`M^{}`$ corresponds to right actions of bounded linear operators on Hilbert-Schmidt operators, in view of (2.8b) we have

($``$)
$$h()=h_{\xi _\varrho ,\xi _\nu }()=\tau (\sqrt{a}\sqrt{c}())0.$$

It follows that $`s(h)`$ corresponds to right multiplication with $`s(\sqrt{a}\sqrt{c})=s(a)s(c)`$ (remind that for commuting $`a,c`$ also $`s(a)`$ and $`s(c)`$ must commute). In accordance with (1.9) we then have that $`\eta =s(h)^{}\xi _\varrho =\sqrt{c}\{s(a)s(c)\}^{}\mathrm{𝟎}`$ must be implementing for $`\varrho ^{}`$. In view of (2.8a) we then even have $`\xi _\varrho ^{}=\sqrt{c}\{s(a)s(c)\}^{}`$. But then, the formula (2.9b) in view of ($``$) reads as

$$\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\nu (\varrho )=s(h)\xi _\varrho +\xi _\varrho ^{}=\sqrt{c}s(a)s(c)+\sqrt{c}\{s(a)s(c)\}^{}=\sqrt{c}=\xi _\varrho ,$$

that is, $`\varrho `$ commutes with $`\nu `$ in the sense of Definition 2.11. Hence, $`ac=ca`$ is equivalent to commutation of $`\varrho `$ with $`\nu `$. Since according to (2.8b), (1.7b) and as remarked above $`ac=ca`$ is also equivalent to $`d_\mathrm{B}(\nu ,\varrho )=\xi _\nu \xi _\varrho `$, and since by Lemma 2.12 commutation is symmetric in $`\nu `$ and $`\varrho `$, we may summarize as follows :

For $`M𝖡()`$ and normal positive linear forms $`\nu =\tau _a`$ and $`\varrho =\tau _c`$, commutation of $`\nu `$ with $`\varrho `$ (resp. $`\varrho `$ with $`\nu `$) in the sense of Definition 2.11 is equivalent to commutation of the operator densities $`a`$ and $`c`$, and both are also equivalent to the occurence of the relation $`d_\mathrm{B}(\nu ,\varrho )=\sqrt{a}\sqrt{c}_2=\xi _\nu \xi _\varrho `$.

Finally, note that owing to eqs. (2.7) in the case at hand we must have equivalence of commutation to $`d_\mathrm{B}(\nu ,\varrho )=\xi _\nu \xi _\varrho `$, for each cyclic and separating $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ (and not just for only those with $`\mathrm{\Omega }>\mathrm{𝟎}`$). This especially proves that the assertion of Lemma 2.13 remains true, for each pair $`\{\nu ,\varrho \}`$ of normal positive linear forms on a factor $`M`$ of type $`\mathrm{I}_{\mathrm{}}`$ (finite factors were dealt with in ).

Without proof mention yet some generalities on ‘commutation’, see .

###### Remark 2.15.

1. Following \[3, p. 325\], in a $`𝖢^{}`$-algebraic context ‘commutation’ might be defined by requiring $`g0`$, for $`g`$ defined in Theorem 1.15. In line with Lemma 2.9 (2) and Lemma 2.10, in the standard form case this then amounts to Definition 2.11.
2. Note that the notion of commutation also does not depend on the special $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ used (cf. (2.7a) for the reasons of this covariance, see ). It extends to arbitrary normal positive linear forms the notion of ‘commutation’ in the faithful case, and which refers to commutation of the respective modular -automorphism groups, see .
3. According to Lemma 2.12 and Lemma 2.8 (3) one infers that commutation must be equivalent to commutation between the positive linear forms of the associated minimal pair. Note that from Lemma 2.8 (2) it follows that both $`\varrho =(\varrho \varrho ^{})+\varrho ^{}`$ and $`\nu =(\nu \nu ^{})+\nu ^{}`$ have to be orthogonal decompositions, in this situation.
4. By standard facts originating from  it is not hard to see that, for given $`\nu ,\varrho M_+`$, $`j(\nu |\varrho )=j^\mathrm{\Omega }(\nu |\varrho )=\frac{1}{2}J_\mathrm{\Omega }\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\varrho (\nu )\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\varrho (\nu )^2`$ proves to be independent from the special choice of the cyclic and separating vector $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$. But then, in view of (2.5b), Lemma 2.8 (3) and Lemma 2.12, $`j(\nu |\varrho )=0`$ (resp. $`j(\varrho |\nu )=0`$) if, and only if, $`\nu `$ commutes with $`\varrho `$. Thus, $`j(\nu |\varrho )`$ has some invariant meaning which in view of the definition of the above notion of commutation might serve as a quantitative measure estimating how far from ‘commuting’ with $`\varrho `$ the form $`\nu `$ is.

#### 2.3.4. A characterization of $`𝒮_M(\nu |\varrho )`$

We are going to characterize $`𝒮_M(\nu |\varrho )`$ for a standard form $`vN`$-algebra in terms of either extension properties of partial isometries of $`M`$, or by comparison properties of certain characteristic orthoprojections in respect of the Murray-von Neumann comparability relation ‘$``$’, respectively.

###### Theorem 2.16.

Let $`\nu ,\varrho M_+`$, and be $`\psi =\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\nu (\varrho )`$, $`h=h_{\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\nu (\varrho ),\xi _\nu }`$. Then, $`h0`$, and for $`uM^{}`$ with $`u^{}u=p^{}(\xi _\nu )`$ the following conditions are mutually equivalent:

1. $`u\xi _\nu 𝒮_M(\nu |\varrho );`$
2. $`wM^{},w^{}w=p^{}(\psi ):us(h)=ws(h);`$
3. $`us(h)u_{}^{}{}_{}{}^{}p^{}(\psi )s(h).`$

###### Proof.

By Theorem 2.7 and Theorem 1.5 (3) one has $`h0`$. Thus $`v_{\psi ,\xi _\nu }=s(h)`$. By the last part of Theorem 2.3 and (2.2b) we then see $`\psi =s(h)\psi +\xi _\varrho ^{}`$. Hence $`s(h)^{}\psi =\xi _\varrho ^{}`$. Also, since $`|h_{\xi _\nu ,\psi }^{}|=|h_{\psi ,\xi _\nu }|=|h|=h`$ holds, Lemma 2.4 (3) may be applied with respect to $`\nu ^{}`$ and then yields $`s(h)^{}\xi _\nu 𝒮_M(\nu ^{})`$. Note that in accordance with Theorem 1.11 especially also $`\nu ^{}\varrho ^{}`$ must be fulfilled. This condition is equivalent to $`xs(h)^{}\psi ,ys(h)^{}\xi _\nu =0`$, for all $`x,yM^{}`$. Now, let $`u,wM^{}`$ be chosen in accordance with (2). By the previous $`s(h)^{}\psi s(h)^{}\xi _\nu `$ and $`ws(h)^{}\psi us(h)^{}\xi _\nu `$ have to be fulfilled. Also, owing to $`w^{}ws(h)`$ and $`u^{}us(h)`$ and by (2) the following orthogonality relations can be followed: $`ws(h)\{\psi \xi _\nu \}ws(h)^{}\psi `$ and $`ws(h)\{\psi \xi _\nu \}(=us(h)\{\psi \xi _\nu \})us(h)^{}\xi _\nu `$. Hence, both $`\{s(h)\{\psi \xi _\nu \},s(h)^{}\psi ,s(h)^{}\xi _\nu \}`$ and $`\{ws(h)\{\psi \xi _\nu \},ws(h)^{}\psi ,us(h)^{}\xi _\nu \}`$ are orthogonal systems of vectors, and therefore we may conclude as follows:

$$\begin{array}{cc}\hfill w\psi u\xi _\nu ^2& =ws(h)\{\psi \xi _\nu \}+ws(h)^{}\psi us(h)^{}\xi _\nu ^2\hfill \\ & =ws(h)\{\psi \xi _\nu \}^2+ws(h)^{}\psi ^2+us(h)^{}\xi _\nu ^2\hfill \\ & s(h)\{\psi \xi _\nu \}^2+s(h)^{}\psi ^2+s(h)^{}\xi _\nu ^2\hfill \\ & =s(h)\{\psi \xi _\nu \}+s(h)^{}\psi s(h)^{}\xi _\nu ^2\hfill \\ & =\psi \xi _\nu ^2.\hfill \end{array}$$

Hence, in view of Theorem 2.7 $`w\psi u\xi _\nu d_\mathrm{B}(\nu ,\varrho )`$ must be fulfilled. Since $`w\psi 𝒮_M(\varrho )`$ and $`u\xi _\nu 𝒮_M(\nu )`$ hold, from this by Theorem 1.5 equality is inferred, $`d_\mathrm{B}(\nu ,\varrho )=w\psi u\xi _\nu `$. That is, (1) has to be true.

Suppose (1) is fulfilled. By definition of $`𝒮_M(\nu |\varrho )`$ and in view of (1.1) there has to exist $`wM^{}`$ with $`w^{}w=p^{}(\psi )`$ such that $`d_\mathrm{B}(\nu ,\varrho )=w\psi u\xi _\nu `$ holds. In view of Theorem 1.5 (3) then $`h_{w\psi ,u\xi _\nu }0`$. Hence, $`h(u^{}()w)0`$, on $`M^{}`$. From $`h0`$ with $`s(h)p^{}(\xi _\nu )`$ we then infer that $`h_{w\psi ,u\xi _\nu }=h(u^{}()w)=h(u^{}()wu^{}u)0`$. Let $`qM^{}`$ be the orthoprojection $`q=us(h)u^{}`$. Then $`qu=us(h)`$, and thus the previous formula reads as $`h_{w\psi ,u\xi _\nu }=h(u^{}()(wu^{}q)u)=g(()wu^{}q)0`$, with $`g=h(u^{}()u)0`$. Note that $`s(g)=q`$, and $`quw^{}wu^{}q=us(h)p^{}(\psi )s(h)u^{}=us(h)u^{}=q`$. Thus $`wu^{}q`$ is a partial isometry in $`M^{}`$ with initial projection $`s(g)`$ and obeying $`g(()wu^{}q)0`$. By uniqueness of the polar decomposition then $`wu^{}q=s(g)=q`$ follows. By definition of $`q`$ from this $`ws(h)=wu^{}qu=qu=us(h)`$ follows, which is the condition in (2). Thus, in view of the above (1) is equivalent to (2).

Note that (3) is equivalent to $`v^{}v=p^{}(\psi )s(h)`$ and $`vv^{}us(h)u_{}^{}{}_{}{}^{}`$, for some $`vM^{}`$. This is the same as requiring $`v^{}v=p^{}(\psi )s(h)`$ with $`v^{}us(h)=\mathrm{𝟎}`$. In defining $`w=us(h)+v`$ we then have $`w^{}w=s(h)u^{}us(h)+p^{}(\psi )s(h)=s(h)+p^{}(\psi )s(h)=p^{}(\psi )`$, with $`ws(h)=us(h)`$. On the other hand, for each $`w`$ with $`w^{}w=p^{}(\psi )`$ and $`ws(h)=us(h)`$ one has that $`w\{p^{}(\psi )s(h)\}w^{}us(h)u^{}`$. Hence, $`v=w\{p^{}(\psi )s(h)\}`$ is a partial isometry, with $`v^{}v=p^{}(\psi )s(h)`$ and $`vv^{}us(h)u_{}^{}{}_{}{}^{}`$. Thus (3) is equivalent to (2). ∎

###### Remark 2.17.

Suppose $`M`$ is a unital $`𝖢^{}`$-algebra, and $`\pi `$ is a unital -representation such that the $`\pi `$-fibres of given two positive linear forms $`\nu ,\varrho `$ exist. Then, due to the general character of Theorem 2.3 and Lemma 2.4, and since owing to Theorem 1.9 in the $`\pi `$-fibre of $`\nu `$ a vector $`\phi _0`$ and corresponding $`\eta `$ and associated $`\psi _0`$ obeying eqs. (2.2) exist, Theorem 2.16 can be seen as a special case of a (less specific) result over unital $`𝖢^{}`$-algebras and characterizing $`𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\nu |\varrho )`$ in terms of either extension properties of partial isometries of $`\pi (M)^{}`$, or by comparison properties of certain orthoprojections within the $`vN`$-algebra $`\pi (M)^{\prime \prime }`$, respectively. It is obvious from the previous proof how this more academic variant should read then (with $`\phi _0,\eta `$ and $`\psi _0`$ instead of $`\xi _\nu ,\xi _\varrho ^{}`$ and $`\psi `$).

#### 2.3.5. Modular vectors and the structure of $`𝒮_M(\nu |\varrho )`$

Start with some generalities about $`𝒮_M(\nu )`$ and $`𝒮_M(\nu |\varrho )`$, and which have to be fulfilled, for each $`\nu M_+`$ and each pair $`\{\nu ,\varrho \}M_+`$, respectively.

Note that according to eqs. (2.7) and with respect to a (particular) given standard form action $`\{M,\mathrm{\Omega }\}`$ the following has to be fulfilled :

(2.11)
$$𝒰(M^{})\xi _\nu =𝒮_M(\nu )\left\{_\mathrm{\Omega }^{}𝒫_\mathrm{\Omega }^{}^{\mathrm{}}\right\}.$$

Thereby, $`\mathrm{\Omega }^{}`$ may extend over the cyclic and separating vectors of $`M`$ within $``$. Due to (2.11) we will refer to $`𝒰(M^{})\xi _\nu `$ as set of modular vectors of $`𝒮_M(\nu )`$. First of all, what will be done is to relate $`𝒮_M(\nu )`$ and $`𝒮_M(\nu |\varrho )`$ topologically to the subset of modular vectors of the fibre of $`\nu `$.

It is plain to see that Theorem 2.16 (2) can be satisfied by each partial isometry $`uM^{}`$ which can be obtained from an isometry $`vM^{}`$ as $`u=vp^{}(\xi _\nu )`$. In fact, owing to $`v^{}v=\mathrm{𝟏}`$ and $`s(h)p^{}(\psi )p^{}(\xi _\nu )`$, $`w=vp^{}(\psi )`$ can be taken there. In view of Theorem 2.16, and since unitaries are special isometries, we thus have the following net of inclusions to hold, in each case of $`\nu ,\varrho M_+`$ :

(2.12)
$$𝒰(M^{})\xi _\nu \{w\xi _\nu :w^{}w=\mathrm{𝟏},wM^{}\}𝒮_M(\nu |\varrho )𝒮_M(\nu ).$$

In case of finite $`M^{}`$ (which occurs iff $`M`$ is finite) equality has to occur throughout, since then the whole fibre is made of modular vectors, see Remark 2.2. On the other hand, in case of properly infinite $`M^{}`$ by standard facts it is known that the strong (operator) closure of the unitary group $`𝒰(M^{})`$ is the set of isometries of $`M^{}`$. But then, since a general nonfinite $`M^{}`$ can be (centrally) decomposed into two parts which are finite and properly infinite, respectively, the above facts relating the finite and properly infinite case of $`M^{}`$ and (2.12) fit together into the following result ($`\overline{}^{\mathrm{st}}`$ indicates the closure with respect to the strong operator topology on $`M`$) :

(2.13a)
$$𝒰(M^{})\xi _\nu \{w\xi _\nu :w^{}w=\mathrm{𝟏},wM^{}\}=\overline{𝒰(M^{})}^{\mathrm{st}}\xi _\nu 𝒮_M(\nu |\varrho ).$$

On the other hand, from (2.12) and by closedness of the fibre we also infer
(2.13b)
$$\overline{𝒰(M^{})}^{\mathrm{st}}\xi _\nu \overline{𝒰(M^{})\xi _\nu }𝒮_M(\nu ).$$

Finally, for completeness, note that also the fibre itself is related to the modular vectors. Let, for a subset of vectors $`\mathrm{\Gamma }`$ and real $`r>0`$, $`\mathrm{\Gamma }[r]`$ be defined by $`\mathrm{\Gamma }[r]=\{\phi \mathrm{\Gamma }:\phi =r\}`$. Then, the formula for $`𝒮_M(\nu )`$ reads as follows (‘$`conv`$’ stands for the operation of taking the convex hull) :
(2.13c)
$$𝒮_M(\nu )=\overline{conv𝒰(M^{})\xi _\nu }\left[\sqrt{\nu _1}\right].$$

In fact, according to , especially $`\left(M^{}\right)_1=\overline{conv𝒰(M^{})}`$ (uniform closure) must be fulfilled. Hence, in view of (1.5), $`𝒮_M(\nu )\overline{conv𝒰(M^{})}\xi _\nu \overline{conv𝒰(M^{})\xi _\nu }`$ can be followed. On the other hand, suppose $`\phi `$, with $`\phi ^2=\nu _1=\nu (\mathrm{𝟏})`$ and $`\phi =lim_n\mathrm{}\phi _n`$, with a sequence $`\{\phi _n\}conv𝒰(M^{})\xi _\nu `$. Let us define $`\nu _nM_+`$ by the condition that $`\phi _n𝒮_M(\nu _n)`$. Then, by the previous especially $`\phi _n=a_n\xi _\nu `$, with $`a_n\left(M^{}\right)_1`$, and thus $`\nu _n\nu `$, for each subscript. But then $`\nu \nu _n_1=\nu (\mathrm{𝟏})\nu _n(\mathrm{𝟏})=\phi ^2\phi _n^2`$. In view of the above $`\nu =lim_n\mathrm{}\nu _n`$ follows, in the uniform sense. Hence, $`\overline{conv𝒰(M^{})\xi _\nu }[\sqrt{\nu _1}]𝒮_M(\nu )`$ holds. Taking together the previous inclusions yields (2.13c).

Note that if $`\nu `$ is faithful, that is, $`\mathrm{𝟏}=s(\nu )=p(\xi _\nu )`$ is fulfilled, then owing to (2.4) one also has $`p^{}(\xi _\nu )=\mathrm{𝟏}`$, and then in view of (1.5), (2.12) and eqs. (2.13) we infer

(2.14)
$$𝒮_M(\nu |\varrho )=\overline{𝒰(M^{})}^{\mathrm{st}}\xi _\nu =\overline{𝒰(M^{})\xi _\nu }=\overline{conv𝒰(M^{})\xi _\nu }\left[\sqrt{\nu _1}\right]=𝒮_M(\nu ),$$

for each $`\varrho M_+`$. Thus, from point of view of Problem 2.1 (4) those pairs with faithful $`\nu `$ will not be of any interest.

In contrast to the previous, the following observation likely yields the most important class of pairs $`\{\nu ,\varrho \}`$ where an easy to handle formula for $`𝒮_M(\nu |\varrho )`$ can be derived, and which is nontrivial insofar as (2.14) then need not be true.

To explain the formula, suppose in the notations of Theorem 2.16, with $`\psi =\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\nu (\varrho )`$ and $`h=h_{\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\nu (\varrho ),\xi _\nu }`$, for given $`\{\nu ,\varrho \}`$ the conditions

($``$)
$$p^{}(\psi )=\mathrm{𝟏},s(h)=p^{}(\xi _\nu )$$

to be fulfilled. Then, by Theorem 2.16 (1)–(2), for given $`uM^{}`$ with $`u^{}u=p^{}(\xi _\nu )`$ and $`u\xi _\nu 𝒮_M(\nu |\varrho )`$ we find $`wM^{}`$ with $`w^{}w=\mathrm{𝟏}`$ such that $`u=up^{}(\xi _\nu )=us(h)=ws(h)=wp^{}(\xi _\nu )`$. Hence, $`u\xi _\nu =wp^{}(\xi _\nu )\xi _\nu =w\xi _\nu `$. Thus, in this case $`𝒮_M(\nu |\varrho )\{w\xi _\nu :w^{}w=\mathrm{𝟏},wM^{}\}`$, and then in view of (2.13a) the formula

(2.15a)
$$𝒮_M(\nu |\varrho )=\{w\xi _\nu :w^{}w=\mathrm{𝟏},wM^{}\}=\overline{𝒰(M^{})}^{\mathrm{st}}\xi _\nu $$

can be followed. In view of (2.13b) the closure of the latter set then reads as
(2.15b)
$$\overline{𝒮_M(\nu |\varrho )}=\overline{𝒰(M^{})\xi _\nu }.$$

###### Example 2.18.

The easiest way to cope with the premises of ($``$) is to assume that $`\varrho `$ is faithful, and that $`\nu `$ is commuting with $`\varrho `$.

In fact, for faithful $`\varrho `$, by Theorem 1.11 $`\nu ^{}=0`$ with respect to $`\varrho `$, for each $`\nu M_+`$. Remind that $`h0`$, by Theorem 2.16. Hence, $`\{p^{}(\xi _\nu )s(h)\}\xi _\nu =s(h)^{}\xi _\nu =0`$, by Lemma 2.4 (3). Thus $`p^{}(\xi _\nu )=s(h)`$. By assumption and Lemma 2.12, $`\psi =\xi _\varrho `$. Hence, in view of (2.4) and (2.5b), faithfulness of $`\varrho `$, which means that $`\psi `$ is separating, implies the modular vector $`\psi `$ to be also cyclic, $`p^{}(\psi )=\mathrm{𝟏}`$. Thus, the conditions of ($``$) are satisfied and, as mentioned above, both formulae of eqs. (2.15) then must be fulfilled.

###### Remark 2.19.

It is easy to see that (2.15a) is a special case of the formula

(2.16)
$$𝒮_M(\nu |\varrho )=\{w\xi _\nu :w^{}w=p^{}(\psi ),wM^{}\}$$

which holds provided $`\nu ^{}=0`$ is fulfilled. But note that in general it is difficult to say something definite about $`p^{}(\psi )`$ without having some additional informations on the pair $`\{\nu ,\varrho \}`$ and which go beyond $`\nu ^{}=0`$. Even for a faithful $`\varrho `$, which implies $`\nu ^{}=0`$ e.g., in general only $`p^{}(\psi )\mathrm{𝟏}`$ can be followed. Note that from (2.15a) especially follows that under the premises of Example 2.18 the modular vectors in the fibre of $`\nu `$ are dense within $`𝒮_M(\nu |\varrho )`$.

#### 2.3.6. When does $`𝒮_M(\nu |\varrho )`$ provide the whole fibre?

We continue with conditions under which Problem 2.1 (3) can be affirmatively answered, for a pair $`\nu ,\varrho M_+`$, and which will lead us far beyond the finite case or the situation known from (2.14).

###### Lemma 2.20.

Let $`\varrho ^{}=0`$, or be $`s(\nu )`$ finite. Then $`𝒮_M(\nu |\varrho )=𝒮_M(\nu )`$.

###### Proof.

Suppose $`\varrho ^{}=0`$ first. By Lemma 2.4 (3) then $`\{p^{}(\psi )s(h)\}\psi =s(h)^{}\psi =0`$. Hence $`p^{}(\psi )=s(h)`$, and thus the condition of Theorem 2.16 (3) can be fulfilled in a trivial way, for each $`uM^{}`$, $`u^{}u=p^{}(\xi _\nu )`$. In view of (1.5) the fact then follows.

If the support orthoprojection $`s(\nu )=p(\xi _\nu )`$ is finite, then an application of (2.4) yields that also $`p^{}(\xi _\nu )`$ is finite (and vice versa), and so has to be also each other $`p^{}(\chi )`$, for $`\chi 𝒮_M(\nu )`$. Let $`\chi =u\xi _\nu `$, $`u^{}u=p^{}(\xi _\nu )`$, with $`uM^{}`$. Since also $`z=p^{}(\xi _\nu )p^{}(\chi )`$ is finite, by \[28, 2.4.2.\] $`uzM^{}z`$ extends to a unitary $`u_1zM^{}z`$. The partial isometry $`w=(u_1+z^{})p^{}(\psi )`$ then obeys $`us(h)=ws(h)`$ and $`w^{}w=p^{}(\psi )`$, and thus Theorem 2.16 can be applied. ∎

###### Remark 2.21.

Under the same premises on $`\pi `$ as in Remark 2.19, there must be a $`𝖢^{}`$-variant of that part of Lemma 2.20 which refers to the assumption $`\varrho ^{}=0`$, accordingly. This together with (1.10) will show that for each such $`\pi `$ by the condition $`\varrho ^{}=0`$ then $`𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\nu |\varrho )=𝒮_{\pi ,M}(\nu )`$ will be implied.

Another observation provides conditions under which existence of cyclic elements in a fibre allows us to decide on whether or not $`𝒮_M(\nu |\varrho )=𝒮_M(\nu )`$ would hold.

###### Lemma 2.22.

Suppose $`\nu ,\varrho M_+`$. The following assertions are valid.

1. Suppose $`\varrho ^{}0`$ and $`\nu ^{}=0`$. If a cyclic vector $`\chi `$ in the fibre of $`\nu `$ exists, then each such vector obeys $`\chi 𝒮_M(\nu |\varrho )`$. Hence then $`𝒮_M(\nu |\varrho )𝒮_M(\nu )`$.
2. In the factor case of $`M`$, if $`𝒮_M(\nu |\varrho )𝒮_M(\nu )`$ holds, then $`\varrho ^{}0`$ and there exists a cyclic vector $`\chi `$ in the fibre of $`\nu `$.

###### Proof.

According to Lemma 2.4 (3) and by positivity of $`h`$ the assumptions on $`\varrho ^{}`$ and $`\nu ^{}`$ equivalently read as $`\{p^{}(\psi )s(h)\}\psi =s(h)^{}\psi 0`$ and $`\{p^{}(\xi _\nu )s(h)\}\xi _\nu =s(h)^{}\xi _\nu =0`$. Thus $`p^{}(\psi )>s(h)`$ and $`p^{}(\xi _\nu )=s(h)`$. Suppose a cyclic $`\chi `$ in the fibre of $`\nu `$ to exist. Then, in view of (1.5) there is $`uM^{}`$ with $`u^{}u=p^{}(\xi _\nu )`$ and $`\chi =u\xi _\nu `$. Thus especially $`uu^{}=p^{}(\chi )=\mathrm{𝟏}`$ and $`p^{}(\psi )>s(h)`$. It is obvious that Theorem 2.16 (3) cannot be satisfied by $`u`$. Thus $`\chi =u\xi _\nu 𝒮_M(\nu |\varrho )`$, which is (1).

To see (2), suppose now $`M`$ to be a factor, and $`𝒮_M(\nu |\varrho )𝒮_M(\nu )`$. By Lemma 2.20 we then have $`\varrho ^{}0`$ and infinite $`s(\nu )`$. Remind that, $`M`$ being a standard form $`vN`$-algebra, $`M`$ admits faithful normal positive linear forms. Hence $`M`$ is a countably decomposable factor. Thus there can exist only one equivalence class of infinite orthoprojections in $`M`$, and therefore $`p(\xi _\nu )=s(\nu )\mathrm{𝟏}`$ must hold. From the latter in view of (2.4) and (2.5b) the relation $`p^{}(\xi _\nu )\mathrm{𝟏}`$ follows. Thus, a cyclic vector has to exist in $`𝒮_M(\nu )`$, and $`\varrho ^{}0`$ by the above. ∎

Since in the factor case and with faithful $`\varrho `$ the condition $`\nu ^{}=0`$ is fulfilled for any $`\nu M_+`$, in this case Lemma 2.22 (1) and (2) then provide sufficient and necessary conditions for $`𝒮_M(\nu |\varrho )𝒮_M(\nu )`$ to occur, or equivalently, for Problem 2.1 (3) to have an affirmative answer. Thus, in this case also the opposite direction of the implication in Lemma 2.20 holds true.

###### Theorem 2.23.

Let $`M`$ be a factor which acts in standard form. For $`\nu ,\varrho M_+`$ with faithful $`\varrho `$, $`𝒮_M(\nu |\varrho )=𝒮_M(\nu )`$ holds if, and only if, $`\varrho ^{}=0`$ or $`s(\nu )`$ is finite.

###### Proof.

As mentioned, under the given premises $`\nu ^{}=0`$. Thus Lemma 2.22 equivalently says that $`𝒮_M(\nu |\varrho )=𝒮_M(\nu )`$ holds iff $`\varrho ^{}=0`$ or $`p^{}(\xi _\nu )\sim ̸\mathrm{𝟏}`$. The latter is equivalent to $`s(\nu )=p(\xi _\nu )\sim ̸\mathrm{𝟏}`$, by (2.4) and (2.5b). Since $`M`$ is a countably decomposable factor, this is the same as asserting $`s(\nu )`$ to be finite. ∎

###### Remark 2.24.

For finite dimensional or commutative $`M`$ a test on $`\varrho ^{}0`$ can be achieved easily. In fact, in all these cases $`\varrho ^{}0`$ proves equivalent to the condition $`s(\varrho )s(\nu )^{}\mathrm{𝟎}`$. Thus, in these cases for the question on $`\varrho ^{}0`$ only the mutual position of the respective support orthoprojections within the projection lattice of the algebra matters, refer to  for that.

Unfortunately, in the infinite dimensional, noncommutative cases of $`M`$, the condition $`s(\varrho )s(\nu )^{}\mathrm{𝟎}`$ in general does not suffice any longer to imply $`\varrho ^{}0`$. For convenience of the reader we include a counterexample. Thereby, in view of (1.10) for the effect to appear it cannot be of relevance whether $`M`$ acts in standard form or not, and thus for simplicity e.g. the algebra $`M=𝖡()`$ of all bounded linear operators over some separable, infinite-dimensional Hilbert space will be considered.

###### Example 2.25.

Let $`\{\phi _k:k\}`$ be a complete orthonormal system of vectors within $``$, and $`\psi `$ be a unit vector with $`\psi ,\phi _k0`$, for all $`k`$. Let pure normal states $`\nu _k`$ be defined as $`\phi _k𝒮_M(\nu _k)`$, and for $`0<\beta <1`$ define $`\varrho M_+`$ by $`\varrho =_k\beta ^k|\psi ,\phi _k|^2\nu _k`$. Let $`\nu M_+`$ be any normal positive linear form with support orthoprojection $`s(\nu )=p_\psi ^{}`$, where $`p_\psi `$ is the orthoprojection onto $`\psi `$. Thus, $`\varrho `$ is faithful and $`\nu `$ has support with codimension one. We now consider $`\varrho ^{}`$ in the sense of Theorem 1.11 for $`\{\nu ,\varrho \}`$. By orthogonality with $`\nu `$ then $`\varrho ^{}=\gamma \nu _\psi `$, where $`\nu _\psi `$ is the vector state of $`\psi `$, and $`\gamma 0`$, real. On the other hand, $`\varrho ^{}\varrho `$ has to be fulfilled. Hence, for each $`k`$ especially,

$$\gamma |\psi ,\phi _k|^2=\varrho ^{}(p_{\phi _k})\varrho (p_{\phi _k})=\beta ^k|\psi ,\phi _k|^2.$$

From this $`\gamma \beta ^k`$ follows, for all $`k`$. Thus $`\gamma =0`$, and $`\varrho ^{}=0`$ is seen. But note that $`s(\varrho )s(\nu )^{}=p_\psi `$ in this case.

#### 2.3.7. Fibres and centralizers

In line with Problem 2.1 (4) now we are going to look for conditions under which on a standard form $`vN`$-algebra $`M`$ and with fixing some individual vector $`\phi _0`$ in the fibre of $`\nu `$ the hypothesis of Theorem 1.9 could be violated. To that aim, we start looking for additional conditions on the support of $`\nu `$ under which $`\varrho ^{}`$ can be constructed more explicitly, in each case of $`\varrho `$. In making reference to the notion of the centralizer $`vN`$-algebra $`M^\varrho `$, which reads as

$$M^\varrho =\{xM:\varrho (xy)=\varrho (yx),yM\},$$

such conditions can be easily formulated.

###### Lemma 2.26.

Suppose $`\nu ,\varrho M_+`$, with $`s(\nu )M^\varrho `$. Then $`\varrho ^{}=\varrho (s(\nu )^{}())`$.

###### Proof.

Owing to $`s(\nu )M^\varrho `$ both $`\varrho (s(\nu )^{}())`$ and $`\varrho (s(\nu )())`$ have to be normal positive linear forms which sum up to $`\varrho `$. Especially, $`\omega =\varrho (s(\nu )^{}())=\varrho (s(\nu )^{}()s(\nu )^{})`$ then is subordinate to $`\varrho `$ and is orthogonal to $`\nu `$ by construction. On the other hand, $`s(\varrho ^{})s(\nu )^{}`$ also implies $`\varrho ^{}=\varrho ^{}(s(\nu )^{}()s(\nu )^{})`$. Hence, $`\omega \varrho ^{}=\{\varrho \varrho ^{}\}(s(\nu )^{}()s(\nu )^{})0`$. In view of Theorem 1.11 then $`\omega =\varrho ^{}`$ follows. ∎

Now, constructions where Lemma 2.22 can be applied, can be easily achieved.

###### Lemma 2.27.

Suppose $`\nu ,\varrho M_+`$, with $`s(\nu )M^\varrho `$, $`s(\nu )<s(\varrho )`$ and $`s(\nu )\mathrm{𝟏}`$. Then $`𝒮_M(\nu |\varrho )𝒮_M(\nu )`$.

###### Proof.

In view of Lemma 2.26 and $`s(\nu )<s(\varrho )`$, $`\varrho ^{}=\varrho (s(\nu )^{}())0`$ follows. On the other hand, $`s(\nu )s(\varrho )`$ implies $`\nu ^{}=0`$. Moreover, in view of (2.4) and (2.5b) from $`p(\xi _\nu )=s(\nu )\mathrm{𝟏}`$ the relation $`p^{}(\xi _\nu )\mathrm{𝟏}`$ is obtained. Thus a cyclic vector has to exist in $`𝒮_M(\nu )`$. Application of Lemma 2.22 (1) then yields the result. ∎

Clearly, in order that examples in accordance with these premises could exist at all, $`M`$ has to be supposed to be infinite. Moreover, for factors and faithful $`\varrho `$, the assertion of Lemma 2.27 even can be strengthened.

###### Lemma 2.28.

On an infinite factor $`M`$, for $`\nu ,\varrho M_+`$ with faithful $`\varrho `$, and with $`s(\nu )M^\varrho `$, $`𝒮_M(\nu |\varrho )𝒮_M(\nu )`$ happens if, and only if, $`s(\nu )`$ is infinite and $`s(\nu )\mathrm{𝟏}`$.

###### Proof.

As in the previous proof, $`s(\nu )\mathrm{𝟏}`$ and $`s(\nu )M^\varrho `$ for faithful $`\varrho `$ imply $`\varrho ^{}0`$. Note that the latter condition implies $`s(\nu )\mathrm{𝟏}`$, by triviality. Hence, for faithful $`\varrho `$ and $`s(\nu )M^\varrho `$, $`s(\nu )\mathrm{𝟏}`$ is equivalent to $`\varrho ^{}0`$. But then the assertion is a consequence of Theorem 2.23. ∎

In order to see along the lines of Lemma 2.27/2.28 that $`𝒮_M(\nu |\varrho )𝒮_M(\nu )`$ can happen, first recall some further facts from modular and operator theory.

###### Remark 2.29.

1. In case of a standard form $`vN`$-algebra $`\{M,\mathrm{\Omega }\}`$, $`\varrho `$ defined by $`\mathrm{\Omega }𝒮_M(\varrho )`$ is faithful. A fundamental result of modular theory then says that $`M^\varrho `$ is the same as the fixed-point algebra of the modular -automorphism group of $`\varrho `$ :

$$M^\varrho =\{xM:\mathrm{\Sigma }_t^\varrho (x)=x,t\},$$

where the modular -automorphism group $`\{\mathrm{\Sigma }_t^\varrho \}`$ of $`\varrho `$ for all $`t`$ acts on elements $`xM`$ as $`\mathrm{\Sigma }_t^\varrho (x)=\mathrm{\Delta }_\mathrm{\Omega }^{𝗂t}x\mathrm{\Delta }_\mathrm{\Omega }^{𝗂t}`$. As consequence of this one has

(2.17a)
$$\overline{\left(M^\varrho \right)_\mathrm{h}\mathrm{\Omega }}=\overline{M_\mathrm{h}\mathrm{\Omega }}\overline{M_\mathrm{h}^{}\mathrm{\Omega }},$$

(2.17b)
$$\overline{\left(M^\varrho \right)_\mathrm{h}\mathrm{\Omega }}_{\mathrm{sa}}^\mathrm{\Omega },$$

with $`_{\mathrm{sa}}^\mathrm{\Omega }`$ of (2.5b), and where $`()_\mathrm{h}`$ refers to the Hermitian portion of the algebra in question. For these facts we refer the reader to . Remark that (2.17a) remains true with positive portions instead of Hermitian parts, accordingly.
2. Relating the structure of $`M^\varrho `$, if $`M`$ is properly infinite, by the duality theorem of Connes and Takesaki , see also , there are a semifinite but infinite-dimensional $`vN`$-algebra $`N`$ and a $`\sigma `$-weakly continuous group $`\left(\alpha _t\right)_t`$ of -automorphisms of $`N`$ such that $`M`$ is isomorphic to a so-called $`𝖶^{}`$-crossed product, $`N_\alpha M`$. Thereby, one knows that $`N`$ can be isomorphically identified with the fixed-point algebra of $`\{\mathrm{\Sigma }_t^\varrho \}`$. Hence, in view of (1) then $`M^\varrho N`$, and thus $`M^\varrho `$ especially obeys $`M^\varrho \mathbf{\hspace{0.17em}1}`$.
3. Note in context of (2.17a) that if $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is separating for a $`vN`$-algebra $`N`$, then according to  the condition $`\phi \overline{N_+\mathrm{\Omega }}`$ is equivalent to the existence of a densely defined, positive, selfadjoint linear operator $`A`$ which is affiliated with $`N`$, $`A𝜂N`$, and which obeys $`\phi =A\mathrm{\Omega }`$. On the other hand one knows that the latter is also equivalent to $`()|_N^{}\phi ,\mathrm{\Omega }0`$.
4. Especially, if for faithful $`\varrho `$ a cyclic and separating $`\mathrm{\Omega }𝒮_M(\varrho )`$ is chosen, then owing to $`()|_M^{}\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\varrho (\nu ),\mathrm{\Omega }0`$, the previous facts ensure existence of a unique positive selfadjoint linear operator $`T𝜂M`$ with $`\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\varrho (\nu )=T\mathrm{\Omega }`$. In view of the well-known Radon-Nikodym theorem  and following  $`T`$ then is referred to as generalized Sakai’s Radon-Nikodym operator of $`\nu `$ with respect to $`\varrho `$. In this case $`j(\nu |\varrho )`$ of Remark 2.15 (4) then may be written as $`j(\nu |\varrho )=\frac{1}{2}J_\mathrm{\Omega }T^{}J_\mathrm{\Omega }\mathrm{\Omega }T\mathrm{\Omega }^2.`$ Thus, in the case at hand $`j(\nu |\varrho )`$ amounts to be the same as the skewinformation $`I(\varrho ,T)`$ of the generalized Radon-Nikodym operator $`T`$ with respect to $`\varrho `$ in the sense of , see  for background informations, and which together with the other facts from Remark 2.15 (4) might facilitate the understanding of the notion of commutation also in those cases which go beyond Example 2.14, see also \[4, Definition 3, Lemma 2, Theorem 2\].

Close this part by two auxiliary results, which are versions of more general assertions, and which ensure applicability of Lemma 2.27/2.28, in our cases of interest. In the following, for each $`aM`$ and $`\mu M_+`$, we let a normal positive linear form $`\mu ^a`$ be defined by $`\mu ^a(x)=\mu (a^{}xa)`$, for all $`xM`$.

###### Lemma 2.30.

Let $`M`$ be a standard form $`vN`$-algebra, and be $`\varrho M_+`$. Suppose $`\nu =\varrho ^x`$, for some $`xM_+`$. Then $`\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\varrho (\nu )=x\xi _\varrho `$ is fulfilled. Moreover, in case that $`\varrho `$ is faithful, $`\nu `$ is commuting with $`\varrho `$ if, and only if, $`x\left(M^\varrho \right)_+`$ holds.

###### Proof.

Let $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ be a cyclic and separating vector for $`M`$. Note that by assumption on $`\nu `$, $`x\xi _\varrho 𝒮_M(\nu )`$. Also, by positivity of $`x`$, $`h=h_{x\xi _\varrho ,\xi _\varrho }=h_{\sqrt{x}\xi _\varrho ,\sqrt{x}\xi _\varrho }0`$. From this then $`s(h)=p^{}(\sqrt{x}\xi _\varrho )p^{}(x\xi _\varrho )`$ follows. On the other hand, in any case, $`p^{}(x\xi _\varrho )p^{}(\sqrt{x}\xi _\varrho )`$ has to be fulfilled. Thus we conclude $`s(h)=p^{}(x\xi _\varrho )`$. In view of Theorem 1.5 (3) and Lemma 2.4 (3) then $`d_\mathrm{B}(\nu ,\varrho )=x\xi _\varrho \xi _\varrho `$ and $`\nu ^{}=0`$ follow. In the case at hand Lemma 2.8 (1) can be applied and yields $`\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\varrho (\nu )=x\xi _\varrho `$.

Suppose $`\varrho `$ is faithful. Then we can choose a cyclic and separating vector $`\mathrm{\Omega }𝒮_M(\varrho )`$, and will work in the corresponding standard form action of $`M`$. Suppose that $`\nu `$ commutes with $`\varrho `$. By Definition 2.11, since $`\xi _\varrho =\mathrm{\Omega }`$ holds, and since commutation means $`\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\varrho (\nu )=\xi _\nu `$, we have $`()|_M^{}\xi _\nu ,\mathrm{\Omega }=h_{\xi _\nu ,\xi _\varrho }0`$. But in view of Lemma 2.9 (2) and Lemma 2.10 also $`()|_M\xi _\nu ,\mathrm{\Omega }0`$. Hence, $`\xi _\nu \overline{M_+\mathrm{\Omega }}\overline{M_+^{}\mathrm{\Omega }}`$ by Remark 2.29 (3). As has been explained in context of (2.17a), this is the same as $`\xi _\nu \overline{(M^\varrho )_+\mathrm{\Omega }}`$. Also, since $`M^\varrho M`$ implies $`M^{}\left(M^\varrho \right)^{}`$, $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ must be separating for $`M^\varrho `$. Hence, by Remark 2.29 (3) and with $`N=M^\varrho `$, $`\xi _\nu =A\mathrm{\Omega }`$ follows, with densely defined, positive, selfadjoint linear operator $`A`$ which is affiliated with $`M^\varrho M`$. In view of the above then $`\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\varrho (\nu )=x\mathrm{\Omega }=A\mathrm{\Omega }`$. Since $`\mathrm{\Omega }`$ is separating, from this $`x=A`$ follows, that is, $`x\left(M^\varrho \right)_+`$.

On the other hand, for $`xM^\varrho `$, $`x\mathrm{𝟎}`$, in view of the above formula $`\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\varrho (\nu )=x\mathrm{\Omega }`$ and (2.17b), $`\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\varrho (\nu )_{\mathrm{sa}}^\mathrm{\Omega }`$ follows. Applying Lemma 2.8 (3) accordingly yields $`\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\varrho (\nu )𝒫_\mathrm{\Omega }^{\mathrm{}}`$. Hence, $`\nu `$ commutes with $`\varrho `$. ∎

###### Remark 2.31.

According to Remark 2.29 (3), if $`\varrho `$ is faithful, and $`\mathrm{\Omega }𝒮_M(\varrho )`$ is a cyclic and separating vector, then for each $`\nu M_+`$ one has $`\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\varrho (\nu )=x\mathrm{\Omega }`$, with a densely defined, affiliated with $`M`$, selfadjoint positive linear operator $`x`$. Thus, by literally the same conclusions as in the previous proof we see that $`\nu `$ will be commuting with $`\varrho `$ iff $`x=x^{}\mathrm{𝟎}`$ is affiliated with $`M^\varrho `$.

###### Lemma 2.32.

Let $`M`$ be a standard form $`vN`$-algebra, and be $`\varrho M_+`$ faithful. For each $`\nu M_+`$ commuting with $`\varrho `$ one has $`s(\nu )M^\varrho `$.

###### Proof.

Let us consider the standard form action of $`M`$ with respect to cyclic and separating $`\mathrm{\Omega }𝒮_M(\varrho )`$. By assumption such a vector has to exist. As mentioned in the previous proof, $`\psi _\mathrm{\Omega }^\varrho (\nu )=\xi _\nu `$ implies (in fact is equivalent to) $`\xi _\nu =A\mathrm{\Omega }`$, with densely defined, positive, selfadjoint linear operator $`A`$ which is affiliated with $`M^\varrho `$. Thus $`s(\nu )q`$, where $`q`$ is the orthoprojection onto the closure of the range of $`A`$. By spectral calculus, if $`\{E(\lambda )\}M^\varrho `$ is the (left-continuous) spectral resolution of $`A`$, then $`q=\mathrm{l}.\mathrm{u}.\mathrm{b}.\{E(\lambda )E(0+):\lambda >0\}M^\varrho `$. Also, owing to $`AE(\lambda )(M^\varrho )_+`$, for $`\nu _\lambda `$ with $`E(\lambda )\xi _\nu =AE(\lambda )\mathrm{\Omega }𝒮_M(\nu _\lambda )`$, we have $`\nu _\lambda \nu `$ and $`s(\nu _\lambda )=E(\lambda )E(0+)`$. Hence $`qs(\nu )`$. Thus $`q=s(\nu )`$ follows. In view of the above then $`s(\nu )M^\varrho `$. ∎

#### 2.3.8. Conclusions in the standard form case

Start with a mechanism for creating pairs of positive linear forms which are relevant in context of Problem 2.1 (4), and which have been found useful in other context \[7, Lemma 4,Theorem 6\], too.

###### Lemma 2.33.

Let $`M`$ be an infinite standard form $`vN`$-algebra, and be $`\varrho M_+`$ faithful. For each $`\sigma M_+`$ with $`s(\sigma )\mathrm{𝟏}`$ there is $`aM`$ with $`𝒮_M(\sigma ^a|\varrho )𝒮_M(\sigma ^a)`$. In particular, there is an orthoprojection $`zM^\varrho `$ such that $`MzMz`$ holds, and $`𝒮_M(\mu |\varrho )𝒮_M(\mu )`$ is fulfilled, for each $`\mu M_+`$ with support $`s(\mu )=z`$.

###### Proof.

Let $`M=Mc+Mc^{}`$, with orthoprojection $`cMM^{}`$, be the canonical decomposition of $`M`$ into a finite component $`Mc`$ (which might be vanishing) and properly infinite component $`Mc^{}`$. By central decomposition techniques, the properly infinite case can be reduced to an appropriately defined field $`\{M_\lambda \}`$ of properly infinite ‘subfactors’ $`M_\lambda `$ acting over direct integral Hilbert subspaces $`_\lambda c^{}`$, in the sense that each $`xMc^{}`$ and $`\omega (Mc^{})_+`$ can be written as appropriately defined central integrals $`x=x_\lambda d\mu (\lambda )`$ and $`\omega =\omega _\lambda d\mu (\lambda )`$, with some $`x_\lambda M_\lambda `$ and $`\omega _\lambda (M_\lambda )_+`$, such that $`\omega (x)`$ can be written as $`\omega (x)=\omega _\lambda (x_\lambda )𝑑\mu (\lambda )`$ over terms $`\omega _\lambda (x_\lambda )`$, with $`\omega _\lambda =\omega |_{M_\lambda }`$, and with respect to some central measure $`\mu (\lambda )`$. Thereby, the index $`\lambda `$ refers to the central decomposition which is isometrically defined relative to some direct integral decomposition $`c^{}=_\lambda d\mu (\lambda )`$ of the Hilbert space $`c^{}`$, see e.g. \[30, Chapter I., 5., 10. Corollary\] for the details. Since all decompositions refer to the center and $`\varrho `$ is faithful over $`M`$, for $`\varrho _\lambda =\varrho |_{M_\lambda }`$ we will have $`(M^\varrho c^{})_\lambda =M_\lambda ^{\varrho _\lambda }M_\lambda `$, with faithful $`\varrho _\lambda `$ over properly infinite subfactor $`M_\lambda `$. By Remark 2.29 (2), $`M_\lambda ^{\varrho _\lambda }`$ cannot be trivial. Therefore, there is an orthoprojection $`\mathrm{𝟎}<c_\lambda <\mathrm{𝟏}_\lambda `$, with $`c_\lambda (M^\varrho c^{})_\lambda `$. As orthoprojection of the infinite factor $`M_\lambda `$, at least one of $`c_\lambda `$ and $`c_\lambda ^{}`$ must be infinite. We make a choice, and call this infinite projection $`z_\lambda `$. Since $`M`$ is countably decomposable by assumption, each of $`M_\lambda `$ is a countably decomposable infinite factor. Hence, we then must have $`z_\lambda <\mathrm{𝟏}_\lambda `$ and $`z_\lambda \mathrm{𝟏}_\lambda `$, with respect to $`M_\lambda `$. Define an orthoprojection $`z`$ in $`M`$ as follows:

$$z=c+z_\lambda d\mu (\lambda ).$$

One then has $`zM^\varrho `$, $`z<\mathrm{𝟏}`$, and $`z\mathrm{𝟏}`$ with respect to $`M`$. But then, by assumption on $`\sigma `$, there is $`aM`$ with $`a^{}a=s(\sigma )`$ and $`aa^{}=z`$. It is easily seen that for each such $`a`$ then $`s(\sigma ^a)=z`$ must be fulfilled. Hence, $`s(\sigma ^a)M^\varrho `$ with $`s(\sigma ^a)<\mathrm{𝟏}=s(\varrho )`$ but $`s(\sigma ^a)\mathrm{𝟏}`$, for each such $`a`$. By Lemma 2.27 with $`\nu =\sigma ^a`$ then $`𝒮_M(\sigma ^a|\varrho )𝒮_M(\sigma ^a)`$ follows, for each $`aM`$ with $`a^{}a=s(\sigma )`$ and $`aa^{}=z`$.

Now, let $`vM`$ be a partial isometry with $`v^{}v=z`$ and $`vv^{}=\mathrm{𝟏}`$. Then, the map $`\pi :Mxv^{}xvzMz`$ is a -isomorphism between $`M`$ and the hereditary $`vN`$-subalgebra $`zMz`$. Thus, for $`\mu `$ running through all $`\mu M_+`$ with $`s(\mu )=z`$, $`\sigma =\mu ^v`$ is running through all faithful $`\sigma M_+`$. In view of $`s(\sigma )=\mathrm{𝟏}`$, by the above conclusion for each such $`\sigma `$ and with $`a=v^{}`$ the result is $`𝒮_M(\sigma ^a|\varrho )𝒮_M(\sigma ^a)`$. But note that $`\sigma ^a=\sigma (v()v^{})=\mu ^v(v()v^{})=\mu (v^{}v()v^{}v)=\mu (z()z)=\mu `$. That is, $`𝒮_M(\mu |\varrho )𝒮_M(\mu )`$ must be fulfilled, for each $`\mu M_+`$ with $`s(\mu )=z`$. ∎

###### Remark 2.34.

Note that under the premises of Lemma 2.33 there have to exist both, $`\nu M_+`$ which commute/do not commute with $`\varrho `$, but which obey $`𝒮_M(\nu |\varrho )𝒮_M(\nu )`$. In fact, according to Lemma 2.30 and Lemma 2.33, $`\nu =\varrho ^z`$ provides a special positive linear form commuting with $`\varrho `$ and obeying $`𝒮_M(\nu |\varrho )𝒮_M(\nu )`$. But according to Lemma 2.33 the latter remains true also for any other $`\nu =\varrho ^x`$, with invertible (within $`zMz`$) $`x(zMz)_+`$. If each of these functionals were commuting with $`\varrho `$ then, by Lemma 2.30, $`xM^\varrho `$ for all those $`x`$. By taking the closure we had $`(zMz)_+M^\varrho `$, and therefore $`zMzM^\varrho `$. But then $`\varrho |_{zMz}`$ would be a faithful tracial normal positive linear form over $`zMz`$. This is a contradiction, since owing to $`zMzM`$, $`zMz`$ cannot be finite.

###### Example 2.35.

If $`M`$ is a factor of type $`\mathrm{I}_{\mathrm{}}`$, things around Lemma 2.33 read quite explicit. In fact, in terms of Example 2.5/2.14 we then have $`\varrho =\tau _c`$, with uniquely determined, positive definite $`\tau `$-trace class operator $`c`$. By Example 2.14, in this case $`M^\varrho =\{xM:xc=cx\}`$. Then, orthoprojections $`zM`$ obeying $`zc=cz`$, $`\tau (z)=\mathrm{}`$ and $`z\mathrm{𝟏}`$ must exist and, by Lemma 2.28 and in line with the last part of the proof of Lemma 2.33, this is the set of all orthoprojections $`z`$ with respect to which the hypothesis of Lemma 2.33 holds, and therefore each $`\nu M_+`$ with support in this set provides an example with $`𝒮_M(\nu |\varrho )𝒮_M(\nu )`$.

In view of Problems 2.1 (3)/(4), we may summarize all that also as follows.

###### Theorem 2.36.

Let $`\{M,\mathrm{\Omega }\}`$ be a standard form $`vN`$-algebra, $`\varrho M_+`$ faithful.

1. $`𝒮_M(\nu |\varrho )=𝒮_M(\nu )`$ holds for all $`\nu M_+`$ if, and only if, $`M`$ is finite.
2. For infinite $`M`$, there exists $`\nu M_+`$ obeying

(2.18)
$$d_\mathrm{B}(\nu ,\varrho )=\xi _\nu \xi _\varrho $$

such that $`𝒮_M(\nu |\varrho )𝒮_M(\nu )`$.
3. For $`\nu M_+`$ satisfying (2.18), $`𝒮_M(\nu |\varrho )=\{u\xi _\nu :u^{}u=\mathrm{𝟏},uM^{}\}`$ holds.

###### Proof.

By Lemma 2.13, condition (2.18) means commutation of $`\nu `$ with $`\varrho `$, in the sense of Definition 2.11. Thus (3) follows along with Example 2.18 and formula (2.15a). Relating (1), by Remark 2.2 we yet know that $`𝒮_M(\nu |\varrho )=𝒮_M(\nu )`$ is always fulfilled on a finite $`M`$. On the other hand, for infinite $`M`$, according to Lemma 2.33 and Remark 2.34 there exists $`\nu `$ commuting with $`\varrho `$ and obeying $`𝒮_M(\nu |\varrho )𝒮_M(\nu )`$, which in view of Lemma 2.13 yields (2). Since a $`vN`$-algebra is either finite or infinite, this then also completes the proof of (1). ∎

In the factor case, for mutually commuting normal positive linear forms one of which is faithful, things considerably simplify (see Example 2.35), and then Theorem 2.36 (2) can be supplemented by the following detail.

###### Lemma 2.37.

Let $`M`$ be a factor acting in standard form. Suppose $`\nu M_+`$ obeys condition (2.18) with faithful $`\varrho M_+`$. Then, $`𝒮_M(\nu |\varrho )=𝒮_M(\nu )`$ holds if, and only if, $`\nu `$ is faithful or the support orthoprojection $`s(\nu )`$ is finite.

###### Proof.

By Lemma 2.13 and Lemma 2.32, condition (2.18) implies $`s(\nu )M^\varrho `$. Lemma 2.28 then may be applied, and yields $`𝒮_M(\nu |\varrho )=𝒮_M(\nu )`$ iff either $`s(\nu )`$ is finite or $`s(\nu )=\mathrm{𝟏}`$, cf. also Remark 2.24. ∎

###### Example 2.38.

For a type- $`\mathrm{III}`$ -factor $`M`$, things around commutation are less explicit than in the type -$`\mathrm{I}_{\mathrm{}}`$\- case. A characterization like (2.18) which reads in terms of a geometrical condition in context of the Bures distance then possibly is the best one can do. By Lemma 2.13, Theorem 2.36 (2) and Lemma 2.37 tell us that for faithful $`\varrho `$ there is $`\nu M_+`$ obeying (2.18) and $`𝒮_M(\nu |\varrho )𝒮_M(\nu )`$, and the latter remains true for any $`\nu `$ with (2.18), unless either $`\nu `$ is faithful or is vanishing.

## Acknowledgments

We gratefully remember discussions with former students U. Meister, S. Schwebel and U. Steinmetz, and thank for contributing to the ‘Project Seminar on Bures Geometry’ at Mathematical Institute, in an earlier stage of the project. Thanks go to ‘Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft’ for funding the research of one of us (PMA) by grants. In particular, thanks go to Eberhard Zeidler (MPI MIS Leipzig), Gerd Rudolph (ITP Leipzig) and the Institute of Theoretical Physics (ITP) for supporting the research program, and for kind hospitality. Last but not least, we have to thank Bodo Geyer, speaker of the ‘Graduiertenkolleg Quantenfeldtheorie’, for supporting both, lecturing (PMA) and graduating (GP) at the Graduiertenkolleg.