All Questions
Tagged with fa.functional-analysis gr.group-theory
102 questions
23
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Are almost commuting hermitian matrices close to commuting matrices (in the 2-norm)?
I consider on $M_n(\mathbb C)$ the normalized $2$-norm, i.e. the norm given by $\|A\|_2 = \sqrt{\mathrm{Tr}(A^* A)/n}$.
My question is whether a $k$-uple of hermitian matrices that are almost ...
- 9,486
23
votes
2
answers
7k
views
What is a Gaussian measure?
Let $X$ be a topological affine space. A Gaussian measure on $X$ is characterized by the property that its finite-dimensional projections are multivariate Gaussian distributions.
Is there a direct ...
- 8,512
22
votes
13
answers
7k
views
Is there a "crash-course" book on Abelian varieties (e.g., an introduction for physicists)?
Hello,
In our (rather applied) theoretical physics research, we have encountered an important class of problems, which seem to require an understanding of Abelian functions (unfortunately, this ...
- 649
21
votes
1
answer
690
views
Diameter of a quotient of the infinite dimensional sphere
Suppose a group $\Gamma$ acts by isometries on the Hilbert space $\mathbb{H}^\infty$ and it fixes the origin. So $\Gamma$ acts on the unit sphere $\mathbb{S}^\infty$ as well.
Assume that the action $...
- 45k
21
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Almost commuting unitary matrices
Suppose that $A_1,\dots, A_k$ are unitary matrices such that any two of them can be approximated by commuting unitary matrices. i.e. for any $i$ and $j$, there are unitary matrices $A_i'$ and $A_j'$ ...
- 901
20
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Can There be a 1 dimensional Banach-Tarski paradox in the absence of choice
Let $\mathbb{R}$ act on itself by translation. Then there is no finite decomposition of a unit interval into pieces which, when translated, yields two distinct unit intervals.
More formally does ...
- 545
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 $$\mathcal A \otimes M_2(\mathbb C) \simeq \mathcal B\otimes M_2(\...
- 3,984
18
votes
1
answer
996
views
Existance of certain almost invariant functions related to amenability and piece-wise transformations
We would like very much to know the answer to the following question:
Let $\|\cdot\|$ be any norm on $\mathbb{Z}^d$ and let $W(\mathbb{Z}^d)$ be the group of all bijections of $\mathbb{Z}^d$ such ...
13
votes
1
answer
592
views
Topological semi-direct products of groups
In Kaniuth, Taylor, Induced representations of locally compact groups on pages 9-10 it's claimed that if $G$ is a locally compact group with closed subgroups $N,H$, with $N$ normal in $G$, with $N\cap ...
- 18.7k
13
votes
1
answer
736
views
Idempotent measures on the free binary system?
Let $(S,*)$ be the free (non associative) binary system on one generator (so $S$ is just the set of terms in $*$ and $1$). There is an extension of $*$ to the space $P(S)$ of finitely additive ...
- 3,547
13
votes
1
answer
404
views
Self map of unitary group
Let $H$ be a Hilbert space and let $u_1 \in U(H)$ be a unitary operator on $H$. Consider the self-map $w: U(H) \to U(H)$ which is given by
$$w(v) := v^2 u_1 v^{-1}.$$
Since $U(H)$ is connected, there ...
- 25.5k
13
votes
0
answers
474
views
Does anybody know if the Fourier algebra of SL(3,Z) has an approximate identity?
(Note to those who like to tidy LaTeX, or ${\rm \LaTeX}$: I kindly request that you don't put any LaTeX in the title of this question, nor change the bolds below to blackboard bold.)$\newcommand{\FA}{{...
- 25.8k
12
votes
2
answers
1k
views
A variation of the Ryll-Nardzewski fixed point theorem
Is there a fixed-point theorem that implies the following result?
Let $F$ be a nonempty convex set of functions on a discrete group with values in $[0,1]$. Suppose $F$ is invariant with respect to ...
- 45k
12
votes
0
answers
373
views
Does Thompson's group $V$ have property AP?
Property AP: A discrete group $\Gamma$ has property AP (Approximation Property) if there exists a net $(\phi_i)_{i \in I}$ of finitely supported functions on $\Gamma$ such that $\phi_i \to 1 $ weak$^*$...
12
votes
0
answers
284
views
Star-shaped Folner sequence
Fix a (finite) generating set $S$ for $\Gamma$ (discrete) amenable. Given a Følner sequence (i.e. a sequence of finite sets $F_n$ whose boundary $\partial F_n$ in the Cayley graph of $S$ is such that $...
- 4,432
11
votes
2
answers
932
views
A group action of the Heisenberg group with special symmetries
Suppose we look at the Heisenberg group $H_{d}$ as a matrix group of upper triangular matrices over the ring $\mathbb{Z}/d\mathbb{Z}$. You can even choose $d$ to be prime if you want. A natural ...
10
votes
0
answers
509
views
Lacunary hyperbolic groups and weak amenability
In the paper called Lacunary Hyperbolic group, Y. Ol'shanskii, D. Osin and M. Sapir define and characterize the lacunary hyperbolic groups, which contains the hyperbolic groups but also Tarski's ...
- 195
9
votes
2
answers
928
views
Property (T) for pseudogroups
Let $H$ be a Hilbert space, $S(H)$ be the inverse semigroup (pseudogroup) of linear maps between (closed) subspaces of $H$ preserving the dot product (the operation is composition of partial maps). ...
user6976
9
votes
1
answer
346
views
Is there a uniform solution of the Ruziewicz problem?
For any integer $n\geq 2$ there is one and only one (up to rescaling) rotation-invariant, finitely-additive measure on the Lebesgue $\sigma$-algebra of $S^n$.
The proof of this statement I'm aware of ...
- 91
9
votes
3
answers
654
views
measure with given push-forwards
Let $X,Y$ be locally compact spaces (in my specific case, they are locally compact groups). Suppose that we are given a measure $\mu$ on $X$ and a finite number of quotient maps $p_1,\ldots,p_n:Y\...
9
votes
0
answers
230
views
Using Property (T) to approximate invertible matrices
In the wikipedia article for Kazhdan's Property (T), there's an intriguing application:
Similarly, groups with property (T) can be used to construct finite sets of invertible matrices which can ...
8
votes
2
answers
1k
views
What does the unique mean on weakly almost periodic functions look like?
There is a unique invariant mean $m$ on WAP functions on any discrete group (see definitions below, theorem of ?). However, the proofs I found are fairly non-explicit on how to obtain this invariant ...
- 4,432
8
votes
2
answers
647
views
Baum-Connes-like "conjecture" for $l^p$-spaces
Let $G$ be a (discrete) group. For the Baum-Connes conjecture, one looks at the reduced group $C^{\star}$-algebra: Look at the Hilbert space $l^2(G)$ and the representation of $G$ on this Hilbert ...
- 976
8
votes
1
answer
353
views
$E_n(\ell^\infty)=SL_n(\ell^\infty)$?
Let $R$ be a commutative unital ring $R$ with unit element $1$.
For $n\in \mathbb{N}=\{1,2,3,\cdots\}$, let $SL_n(R)$ be the group of all $n\times n$ matrices with entries from $R$ having ...
- 81
8
votes
0
answers
189
views
Bi-exact groups and amenable actions on their compactifications
As defined in C$^∗$-algebras and finite-dimensional approximations by Brown and Ozawa, a discrete countable group $\Gamma$ is bi-exact if its action on $C(\Delta\Gamma):=C(\bar\Gamma)/c_0(\Gamma)$ is ...
8
votes
0
answers
211
views
Superharmonic functions and amenability
Let $G$ be a group generated by a finite set $S$. Let $P$ be a Markov operator defined by the uniform measure on $S$. A function is superharmonic if $Pf\leq f$.
Assume that there is a set of non-...
- 4,705
7
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Invariant means on the integers
Let $A\subseteq\mathbb Z$, as usual we define the lower Beurling density $d^{-}(A)=\lim\inf_{n\rightarrow\infty}\frac{|A\cap[-n,n]|}{2n+1}$ and the upper Beurling density $d^+(A)=\lim\sup_{n\...
- 6,034
7
votes
1
answer
577
views
Does a crossed product R⋊_α F_n of the hyperfinite factor of type II_1 and a free group have the QWEP?
Let $\mathcal{R}$ be the hyperfinite factor of type $\rm{II}_1$ and let $\mathbb{F}_n$ be a free group with $n$ generators. Let $\alpha$ be an action of $\mathbb{F}_n$ on $\mathcal{R}$.
Does the von ...
- 1,222
7
votes
2
answers
521
views
Kazhdan constant and finite index subgroups
I am wondering if there is some general relation between Kazhdan constants of a group and it finite index subgroups?
Let $G$ be a finitely generated group with a generating set $\Sigma$ that ...
- 165
7
votes
2
answers
469
views
Invertibility of group Laplacian in $\ell^1$
Let $G$ be a discrete group and let $S$ be a generating set for $G$; assume that $S$ is symmetric (i.e., $g\in S$ iff $g^{-1}\in S$). Let $L=L_S=\frac{1}{|S|}(\sum_{g\in S} g-1)$ be an element of the ...
- 231
7
votes
2
answers
530
views
The kernel of all invariant means
Let $G$ be a discrete group which is amenable (i.e. it admits an left-invariant mean, i.e. a continuous positive normalised linear functional $m:\ell^\infty(G) \to \mathbb{R}$ such that $\forall g \in ...
- 4,432
7
votes
0
answers
193
views
Reduced group C*-algebra $C^*_r(\mathbb{Z}/2*\mathbb{Z}/2)$: norm of specific elements
Consider the free product of $\mathbb{Z}/2$ with itself with generators
$$
\mathbb{Z}/2*\mathbb{Z}/2=\langle u,v\mid u^2=1=v^2\rangle
$$
and regard its group $C^*$-algebra
$$
C^*(\mathbb{Z}/2*\mathbb{...
- 598
6
votes
1
answer
403
views
Do acyclic amenable groups exist?
Is there an example of a nontrivial discrete amenable group with vanishing integral homology?
To put the question in contrapositive. Given arbitrary acyclic group $Q$, is there some reason for the ...
- 4,600
6
votes
1
answer
751
views
left- and right- Folner sets
Given an amenable group, it is a standard trick to turn a left-invariant mean ( i.e. a continuous positive normalised linear functional $m:\ell_\infty(G) \to \mathbb{R}$ such that $\forall g \in G, m \...
- 4,432
6
votes
1
answer
340
views
The abc-conjecture over the positive rationals and Levy-Schoenberg kernels?
I am continuing the "abc-adventure" and have a specific question, which needs some explanation:
In this paper by Gangolli, the term "Levy-Schoenberg" kernel is defined (Definition 2.3).
Consider the ...
user6671
6
votes
0
answers
295
views
Is there an idempotent measure on the free LD system?
This is a follow up question to MO question "Idempotent measures on the free binary system?".
Let $(A,*)$ be the free binary operation on one generator which satisfies the left self distributive law:
...
- 3,547
5
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Is every distribution a linear combination of Dirac deltas?
My question is whether Dirac-type distributions over an Abelian group define a basis of the Schwartz-Bruhat space $\mathcal{S}(G)^\times$ of tempered distributions on $G$, so that any distribution $f\...
5
votes
2
answers
389
views
Divergence of Green function of random walks at spectral radius
Let $P=(p(x,y))_{x, y\in N}$ be the transition matrix over countable states $N$.
Consider the generating Green function $G(x, y|t)=\sum_{0}^{\infty} p^n(x, y) t^n$, where $p^n(x,y)$ is the $(x,y)$-...
- 619
5
votes
1
answer
540
views
Cosets of groups of functions
Let's consider an interval $I\subseteq\mathbb R$, and let $\mathcal F(I)$ be the set of bijective functions $f:I\to I$ so that the graph of $f$ is a analytic curve in $I\times I$.
The set $\mathcal ...
- 4,312
5
votes
0
answers
211
views
Weaker analogues of amenability for groups of piecewise projective homeomorphisms
Let $A$ be a subring of ${\bf R}$ and let $H(A)$ be the group defined/constructed in Monod's 2013 PNAS paper. Monod showed that provided $A\neq {\bf Z}$, $H(A)$ is non-amenable. (The proof breaks down ...
- 25.8k
5
votes
1
answer
306
views
Cartan subalgebra and group measure space construction
Let $N$ be a ${\rm II}_1$ factor. A maximal abelian self-adjoint subalgebra (MASA) is a $*$-subalgebra $A \subset N$ such that $A' \cap N = A$. It is called a Cartan subalgebra if moreover $\mathcal{N}...
5
votes
0
answers
164
views
Golod-Shafarevich groups and L_2- Betti numbers
Is it something known about $L^2$-Betti numbers for Golod-Shafarevich groups?
- 631
5
votes
0
answers
208
views
A metric on $Homeo([0,1])$
One can define a metric on the set $Homeo([0,1])$ by setting $dist(f,g) =$ measure of support of $f^{-1}g$, that is the measure of the set of points $x$ where $f(x)\ne g(x)$. Was this metric studied ...
user6976
5
votes
0
answers
148
views
Groups of operators between local unitaries and full unitaries
Consider the group $U(d_1) \otimes U(d_2)$ of "local unitary" operators acting on the complex space $\mathbb{C}^{d_1} \otimes \mathbb{C}^{d_2}$ (i.e., $U(d_1) \otimes U(d_2)$ is the group of unitary ...
- 6,351
5
votes
0
answers
241
views
Find a lower bound for a pre-invariant $Fol(L(F_m), X_m)$
In the paper of Bannon and Ravichandran, A Folner invariant for type $\rm{II}_1$ factors, they defined an invariant $Fol(M)$ for a separable type $\rm{II}_1$ factor $M$, especially for the free group ...
- 1,528
4
votes
1
answer
688
views
Subgroups of U(M_n)
can any subgroup of the unitary group of full matrix alg $M_d(\mathbb{C})$ be approximated on finite
sets by a finite subgroup?
i.e. is the following True or false?
Let $n, d$ be positive integers ...
- 155
4
votes
2
answers
562
views
Are the groups $C( \mathbb{R} ; U(n) )$ isomorphic?
Let $C(\mathbb{R};{U}(n))$ denote the topological group of continuous functions $\mathbb{R}\to {U}(n)$ with pointwise multiplication and compact-open topology. My question is:
Are these groups ...
- 1,411
4
votes
3
answers
464
views
What classes of functions are closed under all rescalings?
Let us denote by the symbol $\mathcal{G}$, a group of functions $f: \mathbb{R} \rightarrow \mathbb{R}$ (with the composition operation) that is additionally closed under all affine change of variables ...
- 81
4
votes
1
answer
414
views
Finitely Additive Homogeneous Translation Invariant Measure on $\mathcal{P}(\mathbb{R})$
It is known that there exists a finitely additive translation invariant measure on $\mathbb{R}$ that extends the Lebesgue measure. I.e. a function $m:\mathcal{P}(\mathbb{R}) \rightarrow [0,\infty]$ ...
- 297
4
votes
1
answer
106
views
Does the inclusion of the discretized group into itself lift to the group von Neumann algebras?
Let $G$ be a locally compact, Hausdorff and $2^{nd}$-countable group and let $G_{disc}$ be the same group with the discrete topology. We have a continuous (and bijective) homomorphism given by
$$
...
- 1,090