Positive definite matrices with Hermitian blocks and their partial traces

Abstract: Let $H$ be a positive semi-definite matrix partitioned in $\beta\times \beta$ Hermitian blocks, $H=[A_{s,t}]$, $1\le s,t,\le \beta$. Then, for all symmetric norms, {equation*} | H | \le | \sum_{s=1}^{\beta} A_{s,s} |. {equation*} The proof uses a nice decomposition for positive matrices and unitary congruences with the generators of a Clifford algebra. A few corollaries are given, in particular the partial trace operation increases norms of separable states on a real Hilbert space, leading to a conjecture for usual complex Hilbert spaces.