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32 votes
3 answers
2k views

What does it mean for a category to admit direct integrals?

Given an infinite countable group $G$, the category of unitary representations of $G$ admits direct integrals. Namely, given a measure space $(X,\mu)$ and a measurable family of unitary $G$-reps $(H_x)...
André Henriques's user avatar
28 votes
0 answers
2k views

Finite-dimensional subalgebras of $C^\star$-algebras

Let $A$ be a unital $C^\star$-algebra and let $a_1,\dots,a_n$ be a finite list of normal elements in $A$ which (together with their adjoints) generate a norm-dense $\star$-subalgebra $B \subset A$. ...
Andreas Thom's user avatar
  • 25.5k
17 votes
5 answers
2k views

If two projections are close, then they are unitarily equivalent

Given two projections $p,q\in B(H)$, it is well-known that if $\|p-q\|<1$, then there exists a unitary $u\in B(H)$ with $q=upu^*$. The proof that immediately occurs to me uses comparison of ...
Martin Argerami's user avatar
16 votes
4 answers
1k views

Von Neumann algebra associated to the infinite Cuntz algebra

The Cuntz algebra $\mathcal{O}_{\infty}$ is the universal $C^*$-algebra generated by countably infinitely many isometries $s_i$ satisfying the relations $s_i^*s_j = \delta_{ij}$ (there is no condition ...
Ulrich Pennig's user avatar
16 votes
3 answers
2k views

Is the group von Neumann algebra construction functorial?

Let $G$ be a group and $CG$ the complex group algebra over the field $C$ of complex number. The group von Neumann algebra $NG$ is the completion of $CG$ wrt weak operator norm in $B(l^2(G))$, the set ...
yeshengkui's user avatar
  • 1,373
15 votes
2 answers
1k views

Is a C*-algebra with an isomorphic predual a von Neumann algebra?

It is well-known that a C*-algebra $A$ is a von Neumann algebra if and only if it has an isometric predual, that is, if and only if there exists a Banach space $X$ such that $A$ is isometrically ...
Hannes Thiel's user avatar
  • 3,497
15 votes
0 answers
790 views

Must we close weakly to apply the spectral theorem?

Let $H$ be an infinite dimensional separable complex Hilbert space. All C*-subalgebras of $B(H)$ are assumed to be non-degenerate. The spectral projections of a self-adjoint element $T$ of $B(H)$ lie ...
Jonas Meyer's user avatar
  • 7,329
14 votes
2 answers
899 views

Do torsion-free groups give projectionless group ($C^\ast$) algebras?

One of the reasons I study von Neumann algebras is that they always have plenty of projections. There are many projectionless $C^\ast$-algebras ($0$ and possibly $1$ are the only projections), but the ...
Dave Penneys's user avatar
  • 5,425
13 votes
1 answer
1k views

Does the hyperfinite II_1 factor admit two irreducible representations that are not unitarily equivalent?

Regarding the hyperfinite $II_{1}$ factor $R$ as $C^{*}$-algebra, is it known whether any two irreducible representations of $R$ are unitarily equivalent? If it is known that there exists a pair of ...
Jon Bannon's user avatar
  • 7,057
13 votes
1 answer
452 views

Factor states on C*-algebras

Which C$^*$-algebras admit factor states for which the von Neumann algebra it generates in the corresponding GNS representation is a type III$_1$ factor? For example, do all purely infinite algebras ...
Isaac's user avatar
  • 771
13 votes
0 answers
3k views

Connes Embedding Conjecture is false [closed]

This preprint from yesterday claims to prove that Connes Embedding Conjecture fails. Since the paper is from outside Operator Algebras (Computer Science/Quantum Computing) and they actually work on ...
Martin Argerami's user avatar
12 votes
1 answer
901 views

Is there a proof that the $C^{*}$-algebras don't see the invariant subspace problem?

This post is an appendix of this one. Let $H$ be an infinite dimensional separable Hilbert space and $B(H)$ the algebra of bounded operators. Invariant subspace problem: Let $T \in B(H)$. Is ...
Sebastien Palcoux's user avatar
10 votes
1 answer
492 views

Which W*-algebras are the duals of C*-coalgebras?

A Banach algebra (assumed associative and unital) is precisely a monoid object in the monoidal category of Banach spaces, short linear maps, and the projective tensor product. A Banach coalgebra is ...
Toby Bartels's user avatar
  • 2,754
9 votes
3 answers
568 views

Defining the abstract tensor product of W*-algebras via a universal property

I am playing around a bit with $W^*$-algebras, and I'm trying to come up with a definition for the $W^*$-algebraic tensor product. Here is my first attempt: It is easy to show that such an object ...
Andromeda's user avatar
  • 175
9 votes
1 answer
372 views

Simplicity of group $C^\ast$-algebra implies fullness of group-von Neumann algebra?

Let $\Gamma$ be a discrete group whose reduced group $C^\ast$-algebra is simple. Can we conclude that the corresponding group-von Neumann algebra $\mathcal{L}(G)$ is a full $\text{II}_1$-factor, ...
worldreporter's user avatar
9 votes
2 answers
883 views

Are the reduced group Von Neumann algebra/ Group $C^{\ast}$ algebra functorial in the case of LCH groups

Let $G$ be a LCH group and $\mu$ be its left Haar measure. Call $\lambda_G : G \to U(L_2(G,\mu))$ the left regular representation. We can define the reduced $C^{\ast}$ algebra and reduced Von Neumann ...
Adrián González Pérez's user avatar
8 votes
2 answers
961 views

The monotone closure of a $C^*$-algebra

Related to Jon's question, I have two questions. Let $\mathcal{A}$ be a concrete $C^*$-algebra on a Hilbert space $\mathcal{H}$. For any selfadjoint subset $S$ of $\mathbb{B}(\mathcal{H})$, let $S^m$ ...
Masayoshi Kaneda's user avatar
8 votes
1 answer
332 views

The double dual of the unitization of a $C^*$-algebra

I am studying the proof that if $A$ is a $C^*$-algebra such that $A^{**}$ is a semidiscrete vN algebra, then $A$ has the completely positive approximation property (CPAP). I was able to handle the ...
Just dropped in's user avatar
8 votes
1 answer
403 views

When a $C^*$-algebra is an ideal in its second dual?

I would like to know which $C^*$-algebras are ideals in their second duals? There is a paper by S. Watanabe that claims in introduction that it is well known that a $C^*$-algebra is an ideal in its ...
Norbert's user avatar
  • 1,697
8 votes
3 answers
2k views

Definition of a von Neumann algebra

Is there a way to equip every C*-algebra A with a functorial topology such that the canonical map A→A** is an isomorphism if and only if A is a von Neumann algebra? Here A** denotes the dual of A* in ...
Dmitri Pavlov's user avatar
8 votes
1 answer
460 views

Finite dimensionality of certain $C^{\star}$-algebras

In the discussion about the question Finite-dimensional subalgebras of $C^{\star}$-algebras the following separate question came up: Let $H$ be a Hilbert space and $a_1, \dots, a_n \in B(H)$ be self-...
Andreas Thom's user avatar
  • 25.5k
8 votes
0 answers
952 views

About generator and isomorphism problems for free groups operator algebras

Let $H$ be an infinite dimensional separable Hilbert space. The $C^{*}$-algebras and von Neumann here unital and subalgebras of $B(H)$. Definition : Let $\mathcal{A}$ be $C^{*}$-algebra (resp. a von ...
Sebastien Palcoux's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
491 views

Projections in the tensor product of von Neumann algebras

This question seems elementary, but I have already asked an expert who does not know the answer, so I would like to post here. Let $M$ and $N$ be von Neumann algebras, and let $M\bar{\otimes}N$ be ...
Masayoshi Kaneda's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
434 views

How the modular theory of von Neumann algebras, deal with generating C*-algebras?

Let $H$ be a separable infinite dimensional Hilbert space, $M \subset B(H)$ a von Neumann algebra and $A \subset M$ a separable ${\rm C}^*$-algebra such that $A''=M$. Suppose the existence of a ...
Sebastien Palcoux's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
702 views

A Question About Pure States, Support Projections and Central Covers

I am trying to study the paper Consistency of a Counterexample to Naimark’s Problem by Charles Akemann and Nik Weaver, and there is a claim in Lemma 1 of the paper that I am stuck at, which is as ...
user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
429 views

Open projections and Murray-von Neumann equivalence

Let $\mathcal{A}$ be a $C^*$-algebra and $p\in\mathcal{A}^{**}$ be an open projection, that is, $p=p^*=p^2$ and $p\in\overline{(p\mathcal{A}^{**}p\cap\hat{\mathcal{A}})}^{\operatorname{w}^*}$, where $\...
Masayoshi Kaneda's user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
248 views

Extension of a von Neumann algebra by a von Neumann algebra

I asked this question at MSE now I repeat it at MO: Let $A,B,C$ be $3$ unital $C^*$ algebras. Assume that we have the following short exact sequence of $C^*$-algebras: $$0\to A\to C\to B\...
Ali Taghavi's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
288 views

Sigma-weakly dense *-subalgebra of von Neumann algebra has increasing net of positive elements convergent to the identity

Let $M$ be a von Neumann algebra and $A\subseteq M$ a $\sigma$-weakly dense $*$-subalgebra of $M$. Does there exist an increasing net $\{a_i\}_{i\in I}\subseteq A\cap M^+$ such that $a_i\to 1$ in the $...
Andromeda's user avatar
  • 175
6 votes
1 answer
398 views

Real rank 0 implies stable rank 1 on $C^\ast$-algebras?

A $C^\ast$ algebra has defined stable rank (https://www.univie.ac.at/nuhag-php/bibtex/open_files/2079_Rieffel-StableRank.pdf) and real rank (https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/82123484.pdf), which are ...
Miguel Moreira's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
643 views

Is there an irreducible, noncompact commuting, nonnormal operator, with spectrum strictly continuous?

Let $H$ be an infinite dimensional separable Hilbert space. Definition: The commutant $\mathcal{S}'$ of a subset $\mathcal{S} \subset B(H)$ is $ \{A \in B(H) : AB=BA \ , \ \forall B \in \mathcal{S} \}...
Sebastien Palcoux's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
680 views

Is there an operator algebraic reformulation of the invariant subspace problem?

Let $H$ be an infinite dimensional separable Hilbert space and $B(H)$ the algebra of bounded operators. Invariant subspace problem: Let $T \in B(H)$. Is there a non-trivial closed $T$-invariant ...
Sebastien Palcoux's user avatar
6 votes
0 answers
233 views

Group $C^*$ vs group von-Neumann algebras

Let $\Gamma$ be a countable (discrete) group (in what follows, make additional assumptions as you wish). Let $C^*_r(\Gamma)$ and $W^*_r(\Gamma)$ be the reduced $C^*$-algebra respectively the reduced ...
Matthias Ludewig's user avatar
6 votes
0 answers
168 views

Characterizing fullness of a von Neumann algebra by the topology of its bimodules

Let $\mathcal{M}$ be a $\mathrm{II}_1$ factor. Among other characterizations, it is said to be full iff the adjoint map: $$ \mathrm{Ad}: U(\mathcal{M})/\mathbb{T} \longrightarrow \mathrm{Aut}(\...
Adrián González Pérez's user avatar
6 votes
0 answers
132 views

Schröder–Bernstein for representations of operator algebras

This is claimed in a Wikipedia Article: If two representations (of a $C^*$-algebra $A$) $\rho$ and $\sigma$, on Hilbert spaces $H$ and $G$ respectively, are each unitarily equivalent to a ...
Matthew Daws's user avatar
  • 18.7k
5 votes
2 answers
208 views

Extension of $C^*$ isomorphism to $W^*$ isomorphism

Let $\mathfrak{A}$ be $C^*$algebra, and $\pi$ its faithful representation on Hilbert space $\mathcal{H}$. Bicommutant $\mathfrak{B}=\pi(\mathfrak{A})''$ is the von Neumann algebra generated by $\pi(\...
user72829's user avatar
  • 552
5 votes
2 answers
988 views

Projections in a W*-algebra as a continuous lattice?

A continuous lattice is a complete lattice $L$ in which every element $y$ is equal to $\bigvee${$x \in L \mid x \ll y$} where $x \ll y$ ("x approximates y" or "x is way below y") if for any directed ...
Rennela's user avatar
  • 85
5 votes
1 answer
395 views

Polar decomposition in abstract von Neumann algebra

Probably an easy question, but here goes: In a concrete von Neumann algebra $M \subseteq B(H)$, every element $m \in M$ has a polar decomposition $m= p|m|$ where $p$ is a partial isometry and $|m|= \...
user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
428 views

Separable C* algebras and type I states

Let $A$ be a separable $C^*$-algebra and let $\omega$ be a state on $A$. Then there is an "orthogonal" probability measure $\mu$ on the pure state space $P(A)$ of $A$ such that $\omega(x) = \...
Lau's user avatar
  • 759
5 votes
1 answer
321 views

Takesaki's proof of the Kaplansky density theorem

Consider the following fragment from Takesaki's book "Theory of operator algebra I": Why is the boxed sentence true? It looks like they replace $A$ by its strong$^*$-closure. Is this ...
Andromeda's user avatar
  • 175
5 votes
1 answer
499 views

Variations on Kaplansky Density

Let $A$ be a $C^*$-algebra and $\pi:A\rightarrow B(H)$ a faithful $*$-representation, so $M=\pi(A)''$ is a von Neumann algebra and $A\rightarrow M$ is an inclusion. von Neumann's Bicommutant Theorem ...
Matthew Daws's user avatar
  • 18.7k
5 votes
3 answers
633 views

Ideal of "Compact Operators" in a W*-algebra which gives the sigma-strong-* topology.

In the case of bounded operators on a Hilbert space $\mathcal{H}$, $L(\mathcal{H})$, there are multiple descriptions of the $\sigma$-strong-* topology, namely: 1) As given by seminorms $p_{\phi},~p_{\...
van Dijk's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
208 views

Cartan subalgebras in the group algebras of virtually abelian groups

Let $G$ be a virtually abelian group. Are there any general results on the existence or non-existence of Cartan subalgebras in the generated group $C^*$-algebra or group von Neumann algebra?
worldreporter's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
332 views

Normal linear functionals on bicommutants of C*-algebras

I am going through the proof of the Sherman-Takeda theorem and Fillmore's book "A User's Guide on Operator Algebras" seems to have a nice approach, but something seems off to me: We need to ...
Just dropped in's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
298 views

Takesaki volume II chapter VII lemma 1.15

Consider the following fragments from Takesaki's second volume "Theory of operator algebras" in chapter VII on weight theory, lemma 1.15. Here $\mathcal{M}$ is a von Neumann algebra and $\...
Andromeda's user avatar
  • 175
4 votes
1 answer
464 views

Kadison-Singer problem in exotic Hilbert spaces

The Kadison-Singer problem is considered in relation to the separable Hilbert space: KS: Does every pure state on the diagonal (atomic) masa of $B(\ell_2)$ has a unique extension to $B(\ell_2)$? ...
Bojan Kwitek's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
135 views

Is the module action $M\times M^*\to M^*$ jointly continuous?

Let $M$ be a W*-algebra and consider the following map: $$\gamma: M\times M^*\to M^*: (a,f)\to af$$ where $af(b)=f(ba)$. Let us consider $M$ under the weak topology $\sigma(M,M^*)$ and $M^*$ under ...
ABB's user avatar
  • 4,058
4 votes
1 answer
445 views

von Neumann algebras generated by commutators

Let $A$ be a UHF-algebra of type $n^{\infty}$ and denote its unique and faithful trace by $\tau$. Let $L^2(A)$ be the Hilbert space of the GNS-representation associated to $\tau$. We have two ...
Ulrich Pennig's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
334 views

Support projection vs closed support projection of a normal state in enveloping von Neumann algebra

I preface this by saying that I am fairly new to the enveloping von Neumann algebra scene, so there may be some gaps in my understanding. Given a $C^*$-algebra $A$ and a state $\phi$ on $A$, one may ...
Sean's user avatar
  • 135
4 votes
1 answer
1k views

Murray–von Neumann equivalence on C$^*$-algebra and von Neumann algebra

Let $H$ be a separable infinite dimensional Hilbert space, $M \subset B(H)$ a von Neumann algebra and $A \subset M$ a separable $C^*$-algebra such that $A''=M$. Let $p,q \in M_{\infty}(A)$ be (...
Sebastien Palcoux's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
217 views

Noncommutative version of Littlewood's First Principle

There are definitely noncommutative analogues for Lusin's theorem and Egoroff's theorem (found in Blackadar for example). I'm curious if there is a version of the first principle: Every Lebesgue ...
Squirtle's user avatar
  • 175