Can we say that $T^n$ is a positive operator

hilbert-spacesself-adjoint-operators

Let $\mathcal H$ be a complex Hilbert space and $T \in \mathcal L (\mathcal H)$ be a positive operator. Can we say that $T^n$ is also a positive operator?

I am able to prove that if $n$ is even then $T^{n}$ is a positive operator since positive operators on a complex Hilbert space are self-adjoint. What can I say about $T^n$ if $n$ is odd?

Best Answer

Since $T$ is self-adjoint, we have $$ \langle T^{2n+1}\xi,\xi\rangle=\langle T(T^n\xi),T^n\xi\rangle, $$ and since $T$ is positive, this expression is positive.

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