All Questions
53 questions
81
votes
3
answers
9k
views
Norms of commutators
If an $n$ by $n$ complex matrix $A$ has trace zero, then it is a commutator, which means that there are $n$ by $n$ matrices $B$ and $C$ so that $A= BC-CB$. What is the order of the best constant $\...
- 31.5k
31
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Szőkefalvi-Nagy's unitarizability theorem in the Calkin algebra?
Here's a research problem, which I think interesting.
Suppose that $t$ is an invertible element in the Calkin algebra $\mathcal{Q} = \mathcal{B}(\ell_2)/\mathcal{K}(\ell_2)$ which satisfies $\sup_{n \...
- 10.1k
22
votes
5
answers
1k
views
Rigorous justification for this formal solution to $f(x+1)+f(x)=g(x)$
Let $g\in C(\Bbb R)$ be given, we want to find a solution $f\in C(\Bbb R)$ of the equation
$$
f(x+1) + f(x) = g(x).
$$
We may rewrite the equation using the right-shift operator $(Tf)(x) = f(x+1)$...
- 1,245
14
votes
4
answers
550
views
About the existence of characters on $B(X)$
Let $X$ be a Banach space. Let $B(X)$ be the space of all bounded linear operators on $X$. Does $B(X)$ have an empty character space for any $X$?
I know the proof of the fact that $M_n(\mathbb{C})$ ...
- 355
14
votes
3
answers
3k
views
The difference between $l^1(G)$ and the reduced group $C^*$ algebra $C_r^*(G)$
Let $G$ be a group and $l^2(G)$ the Hilbert space on $G$. The complex group algebra $CG$ can be imbedded in $B(l^2(G))$, the set of all bounded linear operators, by left translation. The reduced group ...
- 1,373
14
votes
1
answer
694
views
Criterion for a Banach algebra to be finite dimensional
Let $A$ be a Banach algebra (say, complex and unital) and suppose that every (closed) commutative subalgebra of $A$ is finite dimensional.
Question. Does it follow that $A$ is finite dimensional?
...
- 12.5k
11
votes
2
answers
545
views
Is $\mathcal{B}^{\mathbb{Z}}(l^\infty(\mathbb{Z}))$ a commutative algebra?
Consider $l^\infty(\mathbb{Z})$ the Banach space of bounded complex valued functions on the abelian group $\mathbb{Z}$ with the supremum norm. It has a natural action by $\mathbb{Z}$ given by $(zf)(g):...
- 1,550
10
votes
0
answers
508
views
Tensorial decomposition of $B(H)$
Let $H$ be an infinite-dimensional Hilbert space and let $\mathcal{B}(H)$ be the (C*/W*-)algebra of bounded operators on it. Actually, you may forget about the involution in $\mathcal{B}(H)$ because I ...
- 101
9
votes
2
answers
298
views
Two inequalities in $C^*$ algebras
Under what conditions on a $C^*$ algebra $A$ we have the following inequality:
$$x^*a^*ax+a^*x^*xa\leq x^*x+a^*x^*ax+x^*a^*xa\;\;\; \forall x,a\in A$$
The second identity which I am looking for is ...
- 356
9
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Which Banach algebras are group algebras?
Given a locally compact Hausdorff group $G$, one can construct several Banach star-algebras using $G$ (and its associated Haar measure): $L^1 (G)$, $M(G)$ (regular complex measures on $G$), $L^{\infty}...
- 4,874
9
votes
0
answers
163
views
Moore-Penrose partial isometries and hermitian elements
Let $A$ be a unital Banach algebra. An element $a \in A$ is hermitian if $\|\mathrm{exp}(ita)\|=1$ for every $t \in \mathbb{R}$. An element $a \in A$ is Moore-Penrose invertible if there exists $b \in ...
- 3,497
8
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Conceptually, what does unitization do?
Let $(\mathcal A,||\cdot||)$ be a normed algebra (with or without a unit). The unitization of $\mathcal A$ is the space $\mathcal A_+:=\mathcal A\oplus \Bbb C$ where the multiplication operation $\...
- 1,245
8
votes
1
answer
340
views
characterization of commutative Banach algebras
Let $A$ be a Banach algebra with the following property:
For every two nets $ x_{\alpha}$ and $y_{\alpha}$ in $A$, $x_{\alpha}y_{\alpha}$ converges if and only if $y_{\alpha}x_{\alpha}$ converges.
...
- 356
8
votes
1
answer
431
views
Injectivity for bimodules and Hochschild cohomology
Let $A$ be a Banach algebra and let $X$ be an $A$-bimodule. Is there a notion of (relative) injectivity for $X$ which would imply that $\mathcal{H}^n(A,X)$ vanishes for all $n\ge 1$? Here $\mathcal{H}^...
user2412
7
votes
3
answers
409
views
Are nearby subalgebras of matrix algebras conjugate?
Let $k=\mathbb{R}$ or $\mathbb{C}$ and let $A$ be a finite-dimensional $k$-algebra. If $A$ is simple, then the Skolem-Noether theorem says that any two algebra homomorphisms $f, g: A \to M_n(k)$ are ...
- 9,853
7
votes
1
answer
682
views
$c_0$-direct sum of $\mathcal{K}(\mathcal{H})$
Let $\mathcal{K}(\mathcal{H})$ be the C*-algebra of compact operators on a Hilbert space $\mathcal{H}$. I am interested in the ($c_0$-)sum
$A=\sum \mathcal{K}(\mathcal{H})$
of countably many ...
- 113
7
votes
2
answers
349
views
Can the Banach algebra structure on $B(E)$ be (almost) retrieved from its Banach space structure?
This is basically just out of curiosity. Also, since my research area is in von Neumann algebras and my knowledge of general Banach algebras as well as general Banach spaces is somewhat limited, I ...
- 2,830
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 ...
- 619
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 $\...
- 619
6
votes
1
answer
760
views
Example of an infinite dimensional reflexive Banach algebra
If a $C^\ast$-algebra is reflexive (as a Banach space) then it is finite dimensional. Can anyone provide (or give a reference to) a nice example of an infinite dimensional non-commutative Banach ...
- 777
6
votes
1
answer
252
views
Arens regularity of Banach algebras
I was trying to learn the concept of Arens regularity of Banach algebras from T.W Palmers book -"Banach algebras and the general theory of $*$-algebras". There he have discussed the Arens regularity ...
- 243
6
votes
1
answer
576
views
Is $\mathcal{K}(H)$ injective $\mathcal{B}(H)$-module?
Does anyone know if the right Banach $\mathcal{B}(H)$-module $\mathcal{K}(H)$ is injective? This module is not dual, so standard arguments via flatness do not work.
Injectivity is understood in the ...
- 1,697
5
votes
1
answer
765
views
When are homomorphisms between Banach algebras contractions?
When are homomorphisms between Banach algebras contractions?
I recall from my student days that there are results which show that a positive answer to the above question holds under very general ...
- 2,472
5
votes
1
answer
310
views
C*-Algebras: Dynamics vs. Derivations
Problem
Given a C*-algebra $\mathcal{A}$.
Consider dynamics $\tau:\mathbb{R}\to\mathrm{Aut}(\mathcal{A})$ and $\tau':\mathbb{R}\to\mathrm{Aut}(\mathcal{A})$.
(More precisely, strongly continuous one-...
- 598
5
votes
1
answer
221
views
Arens regularity of $\mathrm{BV}(\mathbb{R})$
$\DeclareMathOperator\BV{BV}$A Banach algebra $A$ is called Arens regular if the two canonical multiplications on the double dual $A^{**}$ coincide. Let $\BV(\mathbb{R})$ denote the Banach algebra of ...
- 6,406
5
votes
1
answer
673
views
Unbounded representations of Banach algebras
Can a representation of a Banach algebra be unbounded?
To clarify, I'm not asking about a representation as unbounded operators, but
rather a homomorphism $\pi: A \to B(H)$ for some Hilbert space $H$,...
- 275
5
votes
1
answer
1k
views
When is a Banach Algebra $C^\star$
I know that if there are enough Hermitian elements in a Banach algebra, then the Banach algebra is stellar. In particular, I'm interested in the two spaces $B(L^1(S^1,\Sigma,\mu))$ the space of ...
- 53
5
votes
0
answers
145
views
Second dual $X^{**}$ of ternary $C^*$-ring $X$ is again ternary $C^*$-ring?
Recall that a ternary $C^*$-ring is a complex Banach space $X$, equipped with a associative ternary product $[.,.,.]:X^3 \to X$ which is linear in outer variables and conjugate linear in middle ...
- 1,115
4
votes
2
answers
254
views
$K$-theory and surjective norm-decreasing $*$-homomorphisms between $C^*$-algebras
Let $A$ and $B$ be two $C^*$-algebras, and let $p:A \to B$ be a surjective norm-decreasing $*$-homomorphism which is injective on a dense $*$-sub-algebra of $A$. Can such a map have non-trivial kernel,...
- 969
4
votes
1
answer
476
views
Bicommutant theorem for commutative operator algebras
Let $\mathcal{B}(H)$ denote the space of bounded linear operators on a complex Hilbert space $H$. The von Neumann bicommutant theorem says:
Theorem. Suppose that $\mathcal{A}$ is a $C^*$-subalgebra ...
- 12.5k
4
votes
1
answer
336
views
Removing the interior of spectrums
Let $A$ be a Banach algebra. Is there a Banach algebra $B$ which contains $A$ but the spectrum of each elements of $B$ has empty interior(as a subset of $\mathbb{C}$)?
The motivation comes from the ...
- 356
4
votes
1
answer
775
views
Algebraically simple Banach algebras
There are plenty of semi-simple Banach algebras - this broad class includes C*-algebras and algebras of bounded operators on a given Banach space. On the other hand, it seems unlikely to me that there ...
- 113
4
votes
1
answer
286
views
A generalization of unsolvable equation $ab-ba=1$ in a Banach algebra
It is well known that the equation $$(*)\;\;\;\;ab-ba=1$$ is unsolvable in a Banach algebra.
I search for some reasonable generalization of this equation in higher variable for investigation ...
- 356
4
votes
1
answer
140
views
Finding a special Banach algebra and a net of homomorphisms
If $A$ is a Banach agebra and $M$ is a Banach $A$-bimodule then a linear map $T:A\to M$ is called an $A$-module homomorphism if $$T(ab)=aT(b),\quad T(ab)=T(a)b,\qquad a,b\in A.$$ Also $A\hat{\otimes} ...
- 231
4
votes
1
answer
210
views
Does there exists a $C^*$-algebra corresponding to every Banach ternary algebra?
Let $V$ be a TRO (closed subspace of $B(H,K)$, closed under the product $xyz\to xy^*z$). Let $C(V)$, $D(V)$ denote the $C^{\ast}$-algebra generated by $VV^{\ast}$ and $V^*V$ respectively. We define $A(...
- 1,115
4
votes
0
answers
548
views
Understanding vector-valued analytic functions vs holomorphic functional calculus
Let $A$ be a unital Banach algebra over complex numbers and call elements of $A$ "vectors". Let $\Omega$ be an open set in $\mathbb{C}$ and $H(\Omega)$ the space of analytic functions on $\...
- 83
3
votes
0
answers
295
views
Dunford-Pettis like properties for Banach spaces of operators
Let $E$ be a Banach space and $A\subseteq B(E)$ be a Banach subspace of operators on $E$.
Suppose $A$ satisfies the property (RCC) given below:
$$
\left.\begin{array}{l}
(x_n)\subseteq A \textrm{ ...
- 2,605
3
votes
0
answers
160
views
Non-emptiness of spectrum $\sigma(a)$ in non-Archimedean Banach algebras
I'm trying to determine whether or not the standard proof that the spectrum of a point in a unital Banach algebra is non-empty can be adapted to prove the same thing over certain non-Archimedean ...
2
votes
2
answers
710
views
Are there good inequalities on the norm?
It's well known that in a Hilbert space, good inequalities exist concerning the norm due to the existence of inner product.Now let X be a general Banach algebra, are there good inequalities concerning ...
- 1,528
2
votes
0
answers
157
views
Why do von Neumann algebras possess identity?
My starting point is that a von Neumann algebra is a $C^*$-algebra with a predual. The usual approaches to showing the existence of identity involve spectral theory (for approximate identity), but ...
- 433
2
votes
0
answers
354
views
Weakly null sequences in projective tensor products
First, I'd like to record a question that may still be open. The snippet below is taken from DiestelPuglisi2009.
Second, let $E$ be a Banach space, $(u_n)$ be a weakly null sequence in the projective ...
- 2,605
2
votes
0
answers
149
views
A closed ideal in $L^1(T)$
Let $\mathbb{T}$ be the unit circle and consider the convolution group algebra $L^1(\mathbb{T})$. Let $I_n$ be the closed ideal generated by the polynomial $p_n(z)=z^n-1$ in $L^1(\mathbb{T})$.
Let $I=...
- 4,058
2
votes
0
answers
198
views
A generalisation of closed and bounded subsets of non-Archimedean fields to topological spaces
The definition of compactness in topological spaces generalises the notion of a subset of $\mathbb{R}^n$ being closed and bounded, as expressed by the Heine-Borel Theorem.
In finite-dimensional vector ...
2
votes
0
answers
151
views
A Banach or $C^*$ algebraic analogy of a classical fact in real analysis
Let $A$ be a commutative unital Banach algebra.The maximal ideal space of $A$ is denoted by $\hat A$.
Assume that $D:A \to A$ is a derivation. Fix an element $a\in A$.
Assume that for every $\phi\in \...
- 356
1
vote
1
answer
133
views
Does the image of $f$ contain a positive number?
Let $H$ be a Hilbert space and $T$ be a bounded and positive operator on $H$. Define a real function $f$ on positive real numbers by
$$f(r):=\|(r+T)^{-1}\|^{-1}-r\quad(r\in\mathbb R_+).$$
Does the ...
- 2,118
1
vote
0
answers
81
views
Tracial linear functionals on an amenable Banach algebra
This post is related to an earlier question about Kazhdan property (T). The purpose of the snippet below is to briefly summarize the background for the question in this post.
Question: Does there ...
- 2,605
1
vote
0
answers
105
views
The tower of path algebras associated to a tower of finite dimensional $C^*$-algebras is isomorphic to the original tower
Let $A_0\subseteq A_1\subseteq...$ be an infinite tower of unital inclusions of finite dimensional $C^*$-algebras and $B_0\subseteq B_1\subseteq ...$ be its associated infinite tower of path algebras. ...
- 235
0
votes
1
answer
495
views
Separability of an algebra is equivalent to separability of its spectrum
Let $A$ be a commutative C*-algebra.
I would like to show that $A$ is separable (i.e. has a countable dense subset) if and only if the spectrum of $A$ (denoted by $\Omega(A)$) is separable.
Notes ...
- 143
0
votes
1
answer
163
views
Regarding socle of a C* algebra
I wanted to know if the socle of a complex C*-algebra is essential?
Can anyone suggest a text where the socle is studied in detail. I tried reading it from the book by Bernard Aupetit, A Primer in ...
- 149
0
votes
0
answers
109
views
Operator algebra on an invariant subset
In Rickart, page 50 Theorem 2.2.1, the statement is made: A linear subspace $\mathfrak{M}$ of the algebra $\mathfrak{A}-\mathfrak{L}$ is invariant with respect to the representation $a{\rightarrow}A_a^...
- 109