State on a C-star algebra

A state is a positive functional of norm one. The state space $S(A)$ is a weak-star compact convex subset of $A^{\ast }$.

Write $x=h+ik$ with both terms Hermitian. At least one is nonzero; its norm equals its spectral radius, so it has a nonzero spectral value. Spectral values attained by C-star states gives a state taking that nonzero value on the chosen term. Both state values on $h,k$ are real, so the corresponding complex value on $x$ cannot vanish. This also detects nonzero quasinilpotent elements, which cannot be separated by looking only at their own spectrum.

On the linear span of $1,x$, define $g(a1+bx)=a+b\lambda$. Affine spectral mapping gives $|a+b\lambda |\le \Vert a1+bx\Vert$, making this well-defined with norm one and $g(1)=1$. A norm-preserving Hahn-Banach theorem extension to the whole C-star algebra remains unital; the norm characterization of a positive functional on a C-star algebra makes it a state on a C-star algebra attaining the spectral value.

A pure state is an extreme point of the state space. The Krein-Milman theorem guarantees pure states, and every positive element attains its norm at some pure state.