A note on real operator monotone functions

Abstract

In this paper we initiate the study of real operator monotonicity for functions of tuples of operators, which are multivariate structured maps with a functional calculus called free functions that preserve the order between real parts (or Hermitian parts) of bounded linear Hilbert space operators. We completely characterize such functions on open convex free domains in terms of ordinary operator monotone free functions on self-adjoint domains. Further assuming the more stringent free holomorphicity, we prove that all such functions are affine linear with completely positive nonconstant part. This problem has been proposed by David Blecher at the biannual OTOA conference held in Bangalore in December 2016.