All Questions
Tagged with c-star-algebras oa.operator-algebras
67 questions
15
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Universal $C^*$-algebra with generators and relations
We say that the $C^*$-algebra $A$ generated by $a_1,...,a_n$ is universal subject to relations $R_1,...,R_m$ if for every $C^*$-algebra $B$ with elements $b_1,...,b_n$ satisfying relations $R_1,...,...
24
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Does left-invertible imply invertible in full group C*-algebras (discrete case)?
The following question/problem has been bugging me on and off for some time now: so I thought it might be worth broaching here on MO, as a case of "ask the experts".
Let $G$ be a discrete group. ...
18
votes
7
answers
4k
views
What are known examples of positive but not completely positive maps?
The only example I know of a positive map which is not completely positive is the transpose map on $M_n(\mathbb{C})$. Of course, one can come up with minor perturbations of this (compose it with, or ...
11
votes
2
answers
635
views
Quasinilpotent elements of group C-star algebras
If $G$ is a discrete torsion-free group, can its (reduced or full) group C-star algebra contain non-zero quasinilpotent elements? I've seen various examples in the group von Neumann algebra setting (...
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 ...
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 $S^m$ ...
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 ...
4
votes
0
answers
338
views
Quantization of $S^2$ as $C^*$-algebra?
The general context for the question - is belief that quantization of compact symplectic manifolds can be endowed with the structure of $C^*$-algebra (see MO230695).
The particular question is about ...
4
votes
1
answer
414
views
A question on an argument in Woronowicz’s paper on the compact quantum group $ {\text{SU}_{q}}(2) $
Let $ q \in [0,1) $. The compact quantum group $ {\text{SU}_{q}}(2) $ is defined to be the universal unital $ C^{*} $-algebra that is generated by two elements $ \alpha $ and $ \beta $ satisfying the ...
27
votes
0
answers
1k
views
Unital $C^{*}$ algebras whose all elements have path connected spectrum
A unital $C^{*}$ algebra is called a "Path connected algebra" if the spectrum of all its elements is a path connected subset of $\mathbb{C}$.
What is an example of a non commutative ...
25
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Can nuclearity be determined by tensoring with a single C*-algebra?
A C*-algebra is nuclear if the algebraic tensor product $A\odot B$ ($B$ is any other C*-algebra) admits a unique C*-norm. This definition requires testing the condition for nuclearity with `all' C*-...
20
votes
2
answers
870
views
C$^*$-algebras isomorphic after tensoring with $M_n(\mathbb C)$
In 1977, Joan Plastiras gave a striking example of two non $*$-isomorphic C$^*$-algebras $\mathcal A$ and $\mathcal B$ such that $$\mathcal A \otimes M_2(\mathbb C) \simeq \mathcal B\otimes M_2(\...
17
votes
2
answers
2k
views
The letters of the word "ART"
Edit: According to the Gelfand duality between topological spaces and commutative $C^{*}$algebras, I add some new tags. So the question is that what is the structure of $ Ext (A,A)$ where $A$ is $...
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 ...
16
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Non-commutative duality I: Which C*-algebras are (isomorphic to a) convolution algebra?
Many interesting C*-algebras can be realized as convolution algebras over a groupoid, an idea introduced in 1980 by Jean Renault (this entry in nLab provides plenty of context to the general approach ...
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 ...
15
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Range of completely positive projection
Let $A$ be a C*-algebra. Suppose that $P:A \rightarrow A$ is a contractive completely positive projection. Does the range $P(A)$ is completely order isomorphic to a $C^*$-algebra?
In the case where ...
13
votes
2
answers
775
views
Properties of orthogonality-preserving c.p. maps between $C^*$-algebras
Suppose that $A,C$ are $C^*$-algebras and $\phi:A \to C$ is a completely positive, orthogonality-preserving linear map.
(Orthogonality preserving means: if $a,b \in A$ satisfy $ab=0$ then $\phi(a)\phi(...
13
votes
1
answer
806
views
Inner and extendible automorphisms of C*-algebras
If an automorphism $\alpha$ of a C*-algebra $A$ is inner then whenever $A$ is a subalgebra of another C*-algebra $B$, $\alpha$ obviously extends to $B$.
Is the converse true: if an automorphism $\...
13
votes
1
answer
451
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 ...
12
votes
1
answer
607
views
Almost idempotent approximate units in C*-algebras
As in Blackadar's "Operator Algebras" Definition II.4.1.1., call an approximate unit $(a_\lambda)$ in the positive unit ball of a C*-algebra almost idempotent if $a_\lambda a_\gamma=a_\lambda$ ...
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 ...
10
votes
0
answers
397
views
Is $\mathcal{B}(\mathcal{H})$ a groupoid $C^*$-algebra?
Let $\mathcal{H}$ be a complex Hilbert space, and $\mathcal{B}(\mathcal{H})$ be the $C^{\ast}$-algebra of bounded operators on $\mathcal{H}$. Is there an étale groupoid $\mathcal{G}$ such that its $C^{...
10
votes
1
answer
1k
views
When are certain group C*-algebras exact?
This is somewhere between a "reference request" and "ask an expert", but I hope it is not too trivial or off-topic.
Anyway. There has been a lot of attention given to showing that for certain ...
10
votes
1
answer
533
views
Who first identified the universal $C^*$-algebra generated by an idempotent of norm at most $C$?
So much is known about hermitian and non-hermitian idempotents in a $C^*$-algebra, that someone must have written down the following.
Theorem The universal $C^*$-algebra generated by one element $x$...
9
votes
1
answer
596
views
Why is the Berkovich spectrum of a C*-Algebra the same as the Gelfand spectrum?
Let $A = \mathcal{C}(X)$ be a commutative (unital) C*-Algebra. Let $Spec(A)$ denote its Gelfand spectrum
$$ Spec(A) = \{A \rightarrow \mathbb{C} : \text{non-zero *-homomorphism} \} \simeq X. $$
Now ...
9
votes
0
answers
268
views
Existence/characterization/properties of $C^*$-algebras which "are" quantization of compact symplectic manifolds?
Understanding of "quantization" achieved much progress recent years, especially after Kontsevich breakthrough on deformation quantization, where he proved one-to-one correspondence between Poisson ...
9
votes
1
answer
338
views
Commuting nets for commuting projections
I think this should not be too difficult, but I am not an expert. I did not get an answer on stackexchange.
Let $A$ be a $C$*-algebra and let $p,q\in A^{**}$ be two commuting projections. Then there ...
8
votes
1
answer
389
views
Order bounded version of monotone complete $C^*$-algebras
Let $A$ be a $C^*$-algebra with self-adjoint part $A_{\operatorname{sa}}$. Then $A$ is called monotone complete if every increasing norm bounded net in $A_{\operatorname{sa}}$ has a supremum (with ...
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 $\...
7
votes
1
answer
219
views
$*$-algebras, completions, and $K$-theory
What is an example of a $*$-algebra $\cal{A}$, which admits two non-equivalent norms $\| \cdot \|_1$ and $\| \cdot \|_2$, with respect to which we can complete $\cal{A}$ to give two $C^*$-algebras $...
7
votes
0
answers
555
views
maximal tensor product commutes with inductive limits
Let $(A_n, \phi_n)$ be an inductive system of $C^*$ algebras and let $B$ be an arbitary $C^*$ algebra.
I want to prove $(\varinjlim A_n)\otimes_{max} B \cong \varinjlim (A_n \otimes_{max} B)$. This ...
7
votes
1
answer
701
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 ...
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}(\...
6
votes
1
answer
322
views
Pairwise orthogonality for partitions of unity in a *-algebra
Let $\mathcal{A}$ be a $*$-algebra with unit $1_{\mathcal{A}}$. As in the $\mathrm{C}^*$-setting, a projection is an element $p\in\mathcal{A}$ such that $p=p^2=p^*$. A partition of unity is a finite ...
6
votes
1
answer
446
views
A Question About the Elliott-Natsume-Nest Proof of Bott Periodicity
In Wegge-Olsen’s book K-Theory and C$ ^{*} $-Algebras, there is an outline of a proof of Bott Periodicity (the proof is due to George Elliott, Toshikazu Natsume and Ryszard Nest). The first step of ...
6
votes
1
answer
150
views
Examples of non-isomorphic $C^\ast$ algebras with isomorphic quasi-state spaces
Let $A$ (resp. $B$) be a unital $C^\ast$-algebra, $\mathcal{Q}(A)$ (resp. $\mathcal{Q}(B)$) the compact convex subset of $A^\ast$ equipped with the $\sigma(A^\ast, A)$ (resp. $\sigma(B^\ast, B)$) ...
6
votes
2
answers
711
views
maximal tensor product of simple $C^*$algebras is non-simple
Let $A$ and $B$ simple $C^*$-algebras. One can prove that the minimal tensor product $A\otimes _{min}B$ is simple. This is wrong for the maximal tensor product $A\otimes_{max}B$ .
1.Do you know an ...
6
votes
2
answers
945
views
Multiplier algebra of $A \otimes \mathcal{K}$
If $A$ is unital C$^*$-algebra, is it true that the multiplier algebra of $A \otimes \mathcal{K} $ is $ A \otimes \mathcal{B}(\mathcal{H})$? Where $\mathcal{K}$ is C$^*$-algebra of compact operators ...
6
votes
2
answers
556
views
Endomorphisms of the Cuntz algebra
Consider the Cuntz algebra $\mathcal{O}_n$ with $n \geq 2$ and let $\text{End}(\mathcal{O}_n)$ be the set of all (unital) $\ast$-endomorphisms of $\mathcal{O}_n$. I was wondering if there exists an ...
5
votes
1
answer
283
views
Reference request quantum SU(3)
Woronowicz shows that the C*-algebras of quantum $SU(2)$ are isomorphic (only as C*-algebras, forgetting the quantum group structure). Are there similar results for quantum $SU(n)$ for $n \geq 3$?
5
votes
1
answer
307
views
Can an AW*-algebra be recovered from its lattice of projections?
Can an AW*-algebra be recovered (up to Jordan isomorphism) from its lattice of projections? This is possible in the commutative/Boolean case.
5
votes
1
answer
237
views
Characterization of exact groups via the existence of amenable actions on unital C*-algebras, part 2
In this recent MOF question I asked whether exact groups could be characterized via the existence of amenable actions on unital C*-algebras. The answer, provided by Caleb Eckhardt in a comment, was ...
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 ...
5
votes
1
answer
303
views
$Z_{2}$- graded structures for $C_{red} ^{*} (F_{2})$
Let $F_{2}$ be the free group with two generators.
Then $F_{2}=\{\text{odd words}\}\sqcup\{\text{even words}\}$. This gives us a $Z_{2}$ graded structure for $C^{*}_{red} (F_{2})$, in a natural way.
...
5
votes
0
answers
220
views
Pushout of $C^*$-algebras using generalised morphisms
There is a known construction of pushout of $C^*$-algebras, or rather, the amalgamated free product, which is universal for commutative squares of $*$-homomorphisms. Jensen and Thomsen in their book ...
4
votes
1
answer
275
views
What are the norms of the generators of the standard Podleś sphere?
Fix a real number $0<q<1$. We consider the standard Podles sphere $A_q$ as the universal unit $C^*$-algebra generated by $a$ and $b$ with relations
\begin{equation*}
\begin{split}
&a=a^*,~ ...
4
votes
1
answer
341
views
On differential equation $Z'=Z^2-Z$ on a $C^*$ algebra
Let $A$ be a Banach or a $C^*$ algebra. We consider the differential equation $$(*)\;\;\;\;Z'=Z^2-Z$$ on $A$.
Obviously the singularities of this systems are just the idempotents of the ...
4
votes
0
answers
207
views
Extending Akemann's Non-Commutative Urysohn Lemma
Assume $A$ is a C*-algebra and $p,q\in A^{**}$ are compact projections.
Can we always find $a,b\in A^1_+$ with $p\leq a$, $q\leq b$ and $||pq||=||ab||$?
Note if $||pq||=1$ this is immediate, while ...
4
votes
1
answer
312
views
A question on $Z^{*}$ algebras
A $Z^{*}$ algebra is a $C^{*}$ algebra which satisfies each of the following equivalent conditions:
All elements of $A$ are left zero divisor.
All elements are right zero divisor.
All elements are ...