Realizing irreducible semigroups and real algebras of compact operators

Let B(X) be the algebra of bounded operators on a complex Banach space X. Viewing B(X) as an algebra over R, we study the structure of those irreducible subalgebras which contain nonzero compact operators. In particular, irreducible algebras of trace-class operators with real trace are characterized. This yields an extension of Brauer-type results on matrices to operators in infinite dimensions, answering the question: is an irreducible semigroup of compact operators with real spectra realizable, i.e., simultaneously similar to a semigroup whose matrices are real?