Trace functions as Laplace transforms

Abstract

We study trace functions on the form $ t\to\tr f(A+tB) $ where $ f $ is a real function defined on the positive half-line, and $ A $ and $ B $ are matrices such that $ A $ is positive definite and $ B $ is positive semi-definite. If $ f $ is non-negative and operator monotone decreasing, then such a trace function can be written as the Laplace transform of a positive measure. The question is related to the Bessis-Moussa-Villani conjecture. Key words: Trace functions, BMV-conjecture.