The Howland - Kato Commutator Problem

Abstract

We investigate the following problem: For what $f$ and $g$ is the commutator $i[f(P),g(Q)]$ positive when $f$ and $g$ are bounded measurable functions? This problem originated in work of James Howland and was pursued by Tosio Kato who suggested what might be the answer. So far there is no proof that Kato was correct but in this paper we discuss the problem and give some partial answers to the above question.