All Questions
Tagged with oa.operator-algebras operator-theory
298 questions
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 ...
- 356
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 ...
- 2,793
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 $...
- 356
17
votes
4
answers
4k
views
How much does the absolute value of an operator behave like an absolute value?
Recall that the absolute value of a bounded operator $T$ on a Hilbert space $H$ is the unique positive operator $|T|$ such that $$\||T|x\|=\|Tx\|$$ for all $x\in H$. It can be defined using the ...
- 3,115
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
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 ...
12
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Decomposition of positive definite matrices.
It is known that a $n^2 \times n^2$ positive semidefinite matrix $A$ cannot always be written as a finite sum
$$
A=\sum_{j} B_j \otimes C_j
$$
with $B_j$ and $C_j$ positive semidefinite matrices (of ...
11
votes
2
answers
2k
views
What's the matrix of logarithm of derivative operator ($\ln D$)? What is the role of this operator in various math fields?
Babusci and Dattoli, On the logarithm of the derivative operator, arXiv:1105.5978, gives some great results:
\begin{align*}
(\ln D) 1 & {}= -\ln x -\gamma \\
(\ln D) x^n & {}= x^n (\psi (n+1)-\...
- 10.1k
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
11
votes
0
answers
388
views
Von Neumann Inequality in Banach spaces
It is known that the only Banach space that satisfies the von-Neumann inequality is the Hilbert space:
Theorem (see e.g. Pisier, "Similarity Problems and Completely Bounded Maps", p 27) For a Banach ...
- 5,529
10
votes
2
answers
926
views
Continuity of the product map
Let $A$ be a $C^*$-algebra.
Is it possible to characterize $A$ for which the product map defined by
$$\sum\limits_{i=1}^n a_i\otimes b_i \mapsto \sum\limits_{i=1}^n a_i b_i$$
is continuous with ...
- 4,705
10
votes
3
answers
859
views
Takesaki theorem 2.6
I originally posted this question on MSE and didn't get a satisfactory answer, even after putting a bounty on it. Hence, I thought I should ask here:
Consider the following theorem in Takesaki's book &...
- 175
10
votes
1
answer
449
views
A small corner w.r.t. a masa in a von Neumann algebra
Let $A \cong L^\infty[0,1]$ be a non-atomic maximal abelian *-subalgebra
in $M \cong B(L^2[0,1])$ (or any von Neumann algebra $M$).
Is the following true?
For every $T \in M$ and $\epsilon>0$, ...
- 10.1k
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
$2$-norm distance between square roots of matrices
Suppose two square real matrices $A$ and $B$ are close in the Schatten 1-norm, i.e. $\|A-B\|_1=\varepsilon$. Can this be used to put a bound on the Schatten 2-norm distance between their square roots. ...
- 191
9
votes
1
answer
956
views
A problem in functional calculus
This is embarrassing, I think it must work, but I can't see how to prove it works. If anyone knows enough functional calculus of operators on a Hilbert space to tell me how to do it, I would be very ...
- 1,143
9
votes
1
answer
667
views
Reference for "Every compact quasinilpotent operator is the limit of nilpotent ones"
It was mentioned on Page 916 Problem 7 of Halmos's "Ten Problems in Hilbert space" that there is a proof for "Every compact quasinilpotent operator is the limit of nilpotent ones" ...
- 191
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
2
answers
758
views
If the diagonal of a positive operator is compact, is the operator itself compact?
Let $H$ be a separable Hilbert space with a fixed orthonormal basis $\{e_n\}_n$. For a bounded operator $T$ on $H$, the diagonal of $T$ is the unique operator $D_T$ on $H$ which is diagonal with ...
- 2,263
8
votes
3
answers
689
views
Commutant of the conjugations by unitary matrices
Let $\mathcal{L}(\mathbb{C}^{n \times n})$ denote the algebra of all linear mappings from $\mathbb{C}^{n \times n}$ to $\mathbb{C}^{n \times n}$ and let $\mathcal{C} \subseteq \mathcal{L}(\mathbb{C}^{...
- 12.5k
8
votes
2
answers
626
views
An inverse to functional calculus
Given a Borel function $f:\mathbb{R}\rightarrow\mathbb{R}\cup\{\infty\}$, functional calculus allows to calculate $F(x)$ for any unbounded selfadjoint operator $x$ on a Hilbert space $\mathcal{H}$, ...
- 176
8
votes
1
answer
302
views
Does every integer map generate a von Neumann algebra of type I?
Consider a map $m: \mathbb{N} \to \mathbb{N}$ (we call it an integer map). Let $E_r$ be the set $m^{-1}(\{r\})$.
Let $H$ be the Hilbert space $\ell^2(\mathbb{N})$ and consider the densely defined ...
8
votes
0
answers
411
views
Semigroups of matrices closed under conjugate transposition
An involution semigroup or $\star$-semigroup is a unary semigroup $\langle S,{\cdot}\,,{}^\star\rangle$ that satisfies the equations $$ (x^\star)^\star = x \quad \text{and} \quad (xy)^\star = y^\star ...
- 563
8
votes
0
answers
195
views
A single vertex operator - bare bones explanation?
There is an ocean of literature (and a sea of popular texts inside) on vertex algebras, including quite a lot of Q & A here on MO, and I am trying to read some random selections from time to time. ...
- 18.4k
8
votes
0
answers
269
views
Shift on trivalent directed tree, operator and von Neumann algebra
Let $\mathcal{T}$ be the trivalent directed tree, with two parents and one child for each vertex (see below). Let $\mathcal{V}$ be the set of vertices of $\mathcal{T}$ and $H$ be the Hilbert space $\...
8
votes
0
answers
952
views
About generator and isomorphism problems for free groups operator algebras
Let $H$ be an infinite dimensional separable Hilbert space.
The $C^{*}$-algebras and von Neumann here unital and subalgebras of $B(H)$.
Definition : Let $\mathcal{A}$ be $C^{*}$-algebra (resp. a von ...
7
votes
1
answer
329
views
Is this a characterization of commutative $C^{*}$ algebras?
Assume that $A$ is a $C^{*}$ algebra with self adjoint elements $A_{sa}$. Assume that for all $a,b\in A$ we have $$ab\in A_{sa} \iff ba \in A_{sa}$$
Is $A$ necessarily a commutative ...
- 356
7
votes
2
answers
573
views
Existence of spectral gap
I would like to start by saying that any comment or idea is highly appreciated.
Let us observe that for Hilbert-Schmidt operators $H_1,H_2$ on an infinite-dimensional separable complex Hilbert space $...
- 95
7
votes
1
answer
339
views
Why is the definition of von Neumann trace independent of the choice of the Hilbert space?
A Hilbert module defined in "L^2-invariants: theory and applications to geometry and K-theory", Springer-Verlag, 2002, by W. Lück:
A Hilbert $\mathcal N(G)$-module $V$ is a Hilbert space $V$ ...
- 2,118
7
votes
1
answer
272
views
Simple $C^*$ algebras with invariant subspace property
Edit: According to the valuable comment of Yemon Choi I revise the question by replacing "faithful" with "irreducible".
We say that a $C^*$ algebra $A$ satisfies the invariant subspace ...
- 356
7
votes
0
answers
192
views
Reduced group C*-algebra $C^*_r(\mathbb{Z}/2*\mathbb{Z}/2)$: norm of specific elements
Consider the free product of $\mathbb{Z}/2$ with itself with generators
$$
\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
7
votes
0
answers
237
views
Understanding the odd-dimensional index
Given a Dirac operator $D$ on a closed odd-dimensional manifold $M$, I've sometimes heard it said that the Fredholm index of $D$ vanishes because it is an ungraded self-adjoint operator, so that $\dim\...
- 1,903
7
votes
0
answers
85
views
Analogue of Friedrichs extension for Hilbert $C^*$-modules
Suppose one has a densely defined symmetric operator $T:\mathcal{M}\rightarrow\mathcal{M}$, where $\mathcal{M}$ is a Hilbert $A$-module for a $C^*$-algebra $A$. Suppose that $T$ is non-negative, so ...
- 1,903
6
votes
3
answers
992
views
Invertible operator with countable spectrum
Let $H$ be a separable Hilbert space and $A$ is an invertible bounded operator on $H$. Can we approximate $A$ with an invertible operator $B$ such that $sp(B)$ is a countable set?
Motivation:
...
- 356
6
votes
2
answers
444
views
Two-sided ideals of $B(H)$ are hereditary
I seem to recall that (not necessarily closed) two-sided ideals of $B(H)$ are hereditary. Is that true?
If it is, can anyone post a proof/reference?
- 2,793
6
votes
1
answer
353
views
Equivalence of $\sigma$-weak topology to another topology
Let $\mathcal H$ be a Hilbert space. Define a topology $\tau_1$ on $B(\mathcal H)$ by the family of seminorms $x\mapsto |Tr(xa)|,$ $a\in L^1(B(\mathcal H)).$ Here $B(\mathcal H)$ denotes the set of ...
- 1,879
6
votes
1
answer
200
views
Coarse index of Dirac operator on $\mathbb{R}$
Let $D=i\frac{d}{dx}$ be the Dirac operator on $\mathbb{R}$, acting on the spinor bundle $\mathbb{R}\times\mathbb{C}$. The bounded operator $F=\frac{D}{\sqrt{D^2+1}}$ has a coarse index
$$\text{Ind}(...
- 1,903
6
votes
1
answer
643
views
Is there an irreducible, noncompact commuting, nonnormal operator, with spectrum strictly continuous?
Let $H$ be an infinite dimensional separable Hilbert space.
Definition: The commutant $\mathcal{S}'$ of a subset $\mathcal{S} \subset B(H)$ is $ \{A \in B(H) : AB=BA \ , \ \forall B \in \mathcal{S} \}...
6
votes
1
answer
255
views
Example/Existence of Positive Linear Functional which is NOT Hermitian
We know that if $\mathcal{A}$ is a unital $C^*$-algebra and if $f:\mathcal{A}\to\mathbb{C}$ is a positive linear functional then it is Hermitian. It simply follows from the fact that in $\mathcal{A}$ ...
- 173
6
votes
1
answer
765
views
An equivalence relation on the space of polynomials in one complex variable
Let $P(z)$ be a polynomial with complex variable $z$. We consider the following distribution for the roots of $P(z)=0$: the distribution is a triple $(n_{1},n_{2},n_{3})$
where these integers are ...
- 356
6
votes
2
answers
366
views
Expression of a non-orthogonal projection in a $C^*$ algebra via an orthogonal one
A paper I'm currently reading uses the following fact. If $A$ is a unital $C^*$-algebra, $P=P^2\in A$, then there are $T, F\in A$ s.t. $F$ is an orthogonal projection ($F=F^*=F^2$) and
$$P=F+FT(1-F).\...
- 1,284
6
votes
2
answers
269
views
Minimal injective extension is rigid
Let $V$ be an operator system.
Definition 1: A pair $(W, \kappa)$ is called extension of $V$ if $W$ is an operator system and $\kappa: V \to W$ is a unital complete isometry.
Definition 2: An ...
- 175
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 ...
6
votes
1
answer
234
views
Noncommutative Poincaré inequalities
This is a question on how (or if) people in the community think about the Poincaré inequality in noncommutative geometry. In geometry, the Poincaré inequality (when it exists) gives a bound on a ...
- 767
6
votes
0
answers
253
views
Are bounded groups of thin operators on Hilbert space similar to groups of unitaries?
QUESTION. Let $G$ be a group of bounded operators on $\ell^2$, satisfying $\sup_{x\in G} \lVert x\rVert <\infty$, whose elements are all of the form "identity+compact" (sometimes called &...
- 25.8k
6
votes
0
answers
243
views
For what kind of $C^*$ algebra $A$ every normal element $y\in A$ has a normal lift for every given surjective $C^*$ morphism $\phi:B\to A$
Is there a terminology for the following property of $C^*$ algebra $A$:
For every $C^*$ algebra $B$ and surjective $C^*$ morphism $\phi: B\to A$, every normal element $y\in A$ admits a normal ...
- 356
6
votes
0
answers
313
views
Question on operator topologies convergence
Let $H$ be a complex Hilbert space, and let $\mathcal{B}(H)$ denote the algebra of bounded operators on $H$. It is known that the strong operator topology and the norm topology on $\mathcal{B}(H)$ ...
- 355
6
votes
0
answers
181
views
Blocksum induces a unital H-space structure on the space of Fredholm operators
Fix a complex separable infinite-dimensional Hilbert space $H$. It is well known that the space of (bounded) Fredholm operators $Fred(H)$ with the norm topology is a classifying space for the ...
- 386
6
votes
0
answers
210
views
Generalized singular numbers and the Haagerup $L^p$ spaces
Let $M$ be a semi-finite von Neumann algebra with a trace $\tau$.Let $S(M)$ be the algebra of all affiliated operators measurable with respect to $M$.
The $L^p$ norm on $M$ is given by
\begin{...
- 361