Maps preserving triple transition pseudo-probabilities

Abstract

Let $e$ and $v$ be minimal tripotents in a JBW$^*$-triple $M$. We introduce the notion of triple transition pseudo-probability from $e$ to $v$ as the complex number $TTP(e,v)= \varphi_v(e),$ where $\varphi_v$ is the unique extreme point of the closed unit ball of $M_*$ at which $v$ attains its norm. In the case of two minimal projections in a von Neumann algebra, this correspond to the usual transition probability. We prove that every bijective transformation $\Phi$ preserving triple transition pseudo-probabilities between the lattices of tripotents of two atomic JBW$^*$-triples $M$ and $N$ admits an extension to a bijective {\rm(}complex{\rm)} linear mapping between the socles of these JBW$^*$-triples. If we additionally assume that $\Phi$ preserves orthogonality, then $\Phi$ can be extended to a surjective (complex-)linear {\rm(}isometric{\rm)} triple isomorphism from $M$ onto $N$. In case that $M$ and $N$ are two spin factors or two type 1 Cartan factors we show, via techniques and results on preservers, that every bijection preserving triple transition pseudo-probabilities between the lattices of tripotents of $M$ and $N$ automatically preserves orthogonality, and hence admits an extension to a triple isomorphism from $M$ onto $N$.