From Majorization to Horn and Unitary-Orbit Inequalities

Abstract

Majorization inequalities encode spectral comparisons through leading partial sums, whereas complete Horn inequalities capture all admissible selected-eigenvalue constraints associated with sums of Hermitian matrices [Fulton, 2000]. We develop a general framework for lifting majorization inequalities to this complete Horn level, which is equivalent to unitary-orbit inequalities. The main ingredients are a generalized Hersch--Zwahlen variational formula for coordinatewise monotone functions of selected eigenvalues and a Schubert-geometric lifting principle that reduces the desired Horn inequalities to the concavity or convexity of suitable scalarizer functions on matrix compressions. As examples we apply the framework to three families of operator inequalities. First, we obtain a complete Horn extension of the weak-majorization inequality for convex functions established by Aujla and Silva [Aujla and Silva, 2003]. Second, we lift the concavity and convexity results for two-variable positive-power functions due to Carlen, Frank, and Lieb and Zhang [Carlen, Frank, and Lieb, 2016; Zhang, 2020]. Third, we establish multiplicative Horn inequalities for multivariable geodesic means, including the weighted Karcher mean and the two-variable geometric mean, extending determinant-level inequalities of Bourin and Hiai [Bourin and Hiai, 2014]. The resulting statements yield unitary-orbit inequalities that generalize familiar weak-majorization, trace, and determinant inequalities.