Notes on real interpolation of operator $L_p$-spaces

Let $\mathcal{M}$ be a semifinite von Neumann algebra. We equip the associated noncommutative $L_p$-spaces with their natural operator space structure introduced by Pisier via complex interpolation. On the other hand, for $1<p<\infty$ let $$L_{p,p}(\mathcal{M})=\big(L_{\infty}(\mathcal{M}),\,L_{1}(\mathcal{M})\big)_{\frac1p,\,p}$$ be equipped with the operator space structure via real interpolation as defined by the second named author ({\em J. Funct. Anal}. 139 (1996), 500--539). We show that $L_{p,p}(\mathcal{M})=L_{p}(\mathcal{M})$ completely isomorphically if and only if $\mathcal{M}$ is finite dimensional. This solves in the negative the three problems left open in the quoted work of the second author. We also show that for $1<p<\infty$ and $1\le q\le\infty$ with $p\neq q$ $$\big(L_{\infty}(\mathcal{M};\ell_q),\,L_{1}(\mathcal{M};\ell_q)\big)_{\frac1p,\,p}=L_p(\mathcal{M}; \ell_q)$$ with equivalent norms, i.e., at the Banach space level if and only if $\mathcal{M}$ is isomorphic, as a Banach space, to a commutative von Neumann algebra. Our third result concerns the following inequality: $$\big\|\big(\sum_ix_i^q\big)^{\frac1q}\big\|_{L_p(\mathcal{M})}\le\big\|\big(\sum_ix_i^r\big)^{\frac1r}\big\|_{L_p(\mathcal{M})}$$ for any finite sequence $(x_i)\subset L_p^+(\mathcal{M})$, where $0<r<q<\infty$ and $0<p\le\infty$. If $\mathcal{M}$ is not isomorphic, as a Banach space, to a commutative von Meumann algebra, then this inequality holds if and only if $p\ge r$.