The classification conjecture for surjective rank-k projector maps when n=2k

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Let H\mathcal{H} be an nn-dimensional Hilbert space, and let Pk(H)\mathcal{P}_k(\mathcal{H}) denote the set of rank-kk orthogonal projectors on H\mathcal{H}. Assume that n=2kn=2k and that Φ:Pk(H)→Pk(H)\Phi:\mathcal{P}_k(\mathcal{H})\to\mathcal{P}_k(\mathcal{H}) is surjective. Let RkR_k be the previously defined complementary-projector map, and let the maps of the form in equation be the standard maps under consideration. Classification conjecture. Every such surjective map is either a map of the form in equation or the composition of one of those maps with RkR_k, namely Φ∘Rk\Phi\circ R_k. This conjecture concerns the remaining classification problem for surjective endomorphisms of the rank-kk projector space in the case n=2kn=2k, where the complementary-projector construction gives additional maps beyond the standard form. The supplied text does not state a resolution, so the conjecture is recorded as open.

References

Primary source

Gniewomir Sarbicki, Dariusz Chruściński and Marek Mozrzymas, “Generalising Wigner's theorem”, arXiv:1602.04968 (2016).

Progress summary

Refreshed
Open

No public proof or counterexample has been found, so the classification conjecture remains open.

A 2016 paper proposed that every surjective map on rank-kk orthogonal projectors in dimension n=2kn=2k has the standard unitary or transpose-unitary form, possibly composed with the complementary-projector map RkR_k. The paper records this as a conjecture rather than a theorem.

Known results

  • For prime dimension nn, every surjective rank-kk projector map has the standard form.
  • If k∣nk\mid n and n/k>2n/k>2, the conjecture would force the standard form without the complementary-projector exception.
  • A classification is known under the stronger assumption that the map is positive and unital on the full operator algebra; this does not settle arbitrary surjective maps.

Current status (as of August 2026): The n=2kn=2k classification remains an open conjecture; no public proof, counterexample, or claimed resolution was found.

Sources

Solutions 0

No solutions have been posted yet.