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Let $M$ be a separable von Neumann algebra and let $A$ be a (von Neumann-)dense *-subalgebra. Suppose that $\alpha,\alpha_1,\alpha_2,\dots$ are automorphisms of $M$, such that for every $a \in A$, $$ \alpha_n(a) = \alpha(a) $$ for all $n$ sufficiently large. Does it follow that $\alpha_n$ converges to $\alpha$ in the $u$-topology?

(Also: what about if we weaken the hypothesis to just assuming that $\alpha_n(a)$ converges in norm to $\alpha(a)$, for all $a \in A$?)

This question is inspired by a related MO question, where an explicit example was requested of a sequence of inner automorphisms on the hyperfinite $III_1$- (or $II_1$-) factor which converge to an outer automorphism. An answer involved a sequence of inner automorphisms satisfying, in particular, the hypotheses of my question, although the proof of convergence uses more information. Perhaps other examples answering that question would be available if the answer to my question is yes.

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  • $\begingroup$ What do you mean by "von Neumann dense"? Dense in the norm topology, the strong, or the weak topology? $\endgroup$
    – user1688
    Jul 11, 2012 at 17:26
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    $\begingroup$ Dense in the strong topology, or equivalently, the weak one or any of those other von Neumann algebra topologies except the norm topology. Also equivalently, $A''=M$. $\endgroup$ Jul 11, 2012 at 18:03

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No. For an example, consider $M=L^\infty([0,1])$ with the Lebesgue measure, take $A$ to be the functions that are piecewise constant on dyadic intervals and $\alpha_n(f)=f\circ \phi_n^{-1}$ where $\phi_n(t)=k/2^n + (2^n t-k)^2/2^n$ if $t \in [k/2^n,(k+1)/2^n[$. In words, $\phi_n$ acts as some fixed transformation (here $t \mapsto t^2$, but it could be anything but the identity) but at a smaler and smaler scale.

Since $\phi_n$ preserves the intervals $[k/2^n,(k+1)/2^n[$, $\alpha_n(a)=a$ for all $a$ $\mathcal F_n$-measurable, where $\mathcal F_n = \sigma([k/2^n,(k+1)/2^n[, 0\leq k<2^n)$. So $\alpha_n$ satisfies your assumption with $\alpha=id$.

However, consider $1 \in L^1([0,1])=L^\infty([0,1])_*$. Then $(\alpha_n)_* 1= \phi_n'$, and $\|1 - \phi_n'\|_{L^1} = \|1 - \phi_0'\|_{L^1} = \int_0^1 |2u-1| dt=1/2$ does not converge to $0$.

But the answers to both your questions become yes if you assume that $M$ is finite and $\alpha_n$ preserves a trace (for example if $M$ is a $II_1$ factor). Or more generally if the $\alpha_n$'s preserve a normal faithful state $\phi$. Indeed, then on the one hand by Hahn-Banach $\{ \phi(a \cdot), a \in A\}$ forms a norm dense subspace of $M_*$, and on the other hand $(\alpha_n)_*(\phi(a \cdot)) = \phi(\alpha_n^{-1}(a) \cdot)$. Hence $(\alpha_n)_*$ converges pointwise in norm on a dense subspace of $M_*$, so it converges pointwise in norm on $M_*$.

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  • $\begingroup$ $L^\infty([0,1])$ is not separable... $\endgroup$ Jul 12, 2012 at 8:02
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    $\begingroup$ I agree the terminology is confusing, but one says that a von Neumann algebra is separable if it has a separable predual (that's why I do not use the term separable for a von Neumann algebra). Or equivalently if it is separable for one of the weak topologies. Otherwise the only separable von Neumann algebras would be finite dimensional... $\endgroup$ Jul 12, 2012 at 8:13
  • $\begingroup$ Yes, this is what I meant by separable. $\endgroup$ Jul 13, 2012 at 9:26
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    $\begingroup$ @MikaeldelaSalle. Being separable for the weak topology is, unfortunately, not equivalent to the von Neumann algebra having separable predual. The example to keep in mind is $\ell^\infty([0,1])$, in which polynomial with $\mathbb Q$-coefficients are weakly dense, even though the von Neumann algebra is clearly huge. $\endgroup$ May 27, 2022 at 9:33

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