arXiv2026
Let $(\mathcal N,ν)$ be a finite tracial von Neumann algebra and set $\mathcal{K}_r(P,Q)=ν((P^{1/2}QP^{1/2})^r)$. We prove that $$ [\mathcal{K}_r(P_i,P_j)]_{i,j=1}^3\ge0, \qquad 1/2\le r\le1. $$ The range $1/2<r<1$ is new even for matrices, and order three is sharp for $1/2\le r<1$. This single mechanism resolves two problems. First, if $(\mathcal R,ω)$ is finite tracial and $H=[H_{ij}]_{i,j=1}^3\in M_3(\mathcal R)_+$, then $$ [ω(|H_{ij}|^p)]_{i,j=1}^3\ge0, \qquad 1\le p\le2, $$ settling the Lin--van den Driessche conjecture on Schatten norm compression. Second, for a semifinite tracial von Neumann algebra $(\mathcal M,τ)$, define $$ d_t(A,B)^2=\frac{τ(A)+τ(B)}2- \|B^{t/4}A^{t/4}\|_{2/t}^{2/t}. $$ We prove that $d_t$ is a complete metric on $L^1(\mathcal M,τ)_+$ for $1\le t\le2$, including the previously open range $1<t<2$ between the Hellinger and Bures endpoints, and that $$ d_t\text{ is a metric on }L^1(\mathcal M,τ)_+ \quad\Longleftrightarrow\quad t\in[1,2]\ \text{or}\ \mathcal M\text{ is abelian}. $$ Its topology and Cauchy sequences agree with those of $L^1$. The same classification holds for unital tracial $C^*$-algebras and, with the known $t=0$ obstruction, resolves Problem~2 of Komálovics and Molnár.