Dr. Thomas Unger (UCD)

will speak on

The Procesi-Schacher conjecture and Hilbert's 17th problem for algebras with involution

Time: 4:00PM
Date: Wed 22nd April 2009
Location: Mathematical Sciences Seminar Room [map]

Abstract: In 1976 Procesi and Schacher developed an Artin-Schreier type theory for central simple algebras with involution and conjectured that in such an algebra a totally positive element is always a sum of hermitian squares. I will present elementary counterexamples to this conjecture and some cases where the conjecture does hold. If time permits I will discuss a Positivstellensatz for noncommutative polynomials, positive semidefinite on all tuples of matrices of a fixed size. This is joint work with Igor Klep.

(This talk is part of the K-Theory, Quadratic Forms and Number Theory series.)

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