Completely positive map


In mathematics a positive map is a map between C*-algebras that sends positive elements to positive elements. A completely positive map is one which satisfies a stronger, more robust condition.

Definition

Let and be C*-algebras. A linear map is called positive map if maps positive elements to positive elements:.
Any linear map induces another map
in a natural way. If is identified with the C*-algebra of -matrices with entries in, then acts as
We say that is k-positive if is a positive map, and is called completely positive if is k-positive for all k.

Properties

The image of this matrix under is