All Questions
131 questions
34
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Can we recover a von Neumann algebra from its predual?
By definition, a von Neumann algebra is a C*‑algebra A
that admits a predual, i.e., a Banach space Z such that
Z* is isomorphic to the underlying Banach space of A.
(We require that isomorphisms in ...
- 37.8k
26
votes
3
answers
2k
views
About the category of von neumann algebras
I am looking for one (or more) reference about properties of the category of von Neumann algebra.
More precisely, in an answer of a previous question, Dmitri Pavlov mentions
that the $W^*$ category ...
- 357
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
22
votes
1
answer
745
views
The Mackey Topology on a Von Neumann Algebra
Every von Neumann algebra $\mathcal M$ is the dual of a unique Banach space $\mathcal M_* $. The Mackey topology on $\mathcal M$ is the topology of uniform convergence on weakly compact subsets of $\...
- 1,199
21
votes
1
answer
835
views
On complemented von Neumann algebras
Edit: according to Narutaka Ozawa, question 3) is still open in the type $\mathrm{II}_1$ case. In other terms, it is not known whether every topologically complemented type $\mathrm{II}_1$ factor in $...
- 660
17
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Which sigma-ideals in a sigma-algebra are ideals of null sets?
My question is motivated, to be somewhat vague, by an attempt to see how much a measure space is defined by the set of null sets. In other words, assume we are not given a concrete measure on a space ...
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 ...
- 3,497
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
2k
views
Making sense of "every non-commutative algebra has its own internal time evolution (aka a one-parameter group)"?
I've listened to many interviews and lectures of Alain Connes, in which he says something which goes roughly as follows
"Every non-commutative algebra has its own time (evolution of), by which I ...
- 6,853
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
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 ...
- 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 ...
- 175
9
votes
1
answer
395
views
Is there a coalgebraic characterisation of the hyperfinite II_1 factor?
Peter Freyd showed that the real interval [0, 1] is a final coalgebra for a functor on sets equipped with two points, which sends such a set to the 'wedge' of two copies of itself, identifying the ...
- 5,094
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 ...
- 267
8
votes
2
answers
570
views
Are (completely) positive maps approximated by normal (completely) positive maps?
Let $\mathcal{H}$ denote a Hilbert space and $B(\mathcal{H})$ denote the algebra of all bounded operators on $\mathcal{H}$. By recognizing the (Banach) dual of $B(\mathcal{H})$ with the double dual of ...
- 165
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 ...
- 37.8k
8
votes
2
answers
812
views
Weak*-norm continuous operators on von Neumann algebras
Let $M$ be a von Neumann algebra with predual $M_*$, and let $T\colon M\to M$ be a bounded, linear map. Let us say that $T$ is (sequentially) weak*-norm continuous if for every net (sequence) $(a_j)_j$...
- 3,497
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
1
answer
716
views
A non-hyperfinite type III factor from an action of the free group on the circle
We define below a von Neumann algebra $\mathcal{M}$ from an action of the free group on the circle, and we prove that $\mathcal{M}$ is a non-hyperfinite type ${\rm III}$ factor.
Question : Is $\...
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
2
answers
658
views
Finding the commutant of a von Neumann algebra
Suppose you have a von Neumann algebra $A$ of operators on $H$ and would like to compute its commutant. You have constructed a collection $B\subset A'$ which you suspect generates it (i.e. you think $\...
- 1,010
7
votes
1
answer
545
views
Is the fundamental group of $II_{1}$ factors invariant under a relation?
In order to define the equivalence relation, let's first recall the Tomita-Takesaki modular theory and conditional expectation for von Neumann algebras.
Let $H$ be a separable Hilbert space and $B(H)$...
7
votes
2
answers
485
views
The von Neumann algebra generated by a non-closable operator
Let $H$ be a separable Hilbert space and let $M$ be a densely defined operator $\mathcal{D}(M) \subset H \to H$. It is closable iff its adjoint $M^{\star}$ is densely defined, and then its closure $\...
7
votes
1
answer
592
views
topologies on U(H)
There are many topologies on the algebra $B(H)$ of bounded operators on Hilbert space:
the weak, strong, ultraweak (also called σ-weak), ultrastrong (also called σ-strong), and some more......
- 43.2k
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
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 ...
user36116
7
votes
1
answer
577
views
Are the compact and Haagerup approximation properties equivalent?
The following essentially implies the equivalence of Anantharaman-Delaroche's compact approximation property (page 337 of Link) and the Haagerup approximation property.
Let $M$ be a type ${II}_{1}$ ...
- 7,047
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
7
votes
0
answers
1k
views
Books on von Neumann algebras
I am interested in non-commutative $L^p$ spaces. I have a very basic background on von Neumann algebras. But all the papers appearing now a days really requires very deep knowledge of von Neumann ...
- 455
7
votes
0
answers
269
views
Approximation in the tensor square of a weakly exact von Neumann algebra
Background. I think I can prove something about a certain construction definition for Fourier algebras of discrete groups, under the assumption that the group is exact (well, really I use Yu's ...
- 25.8k
6
votes
1
answer
287
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 $...
- 175
6
votes
1
answer
525
views
Strong convergence of projections in $B(H)$
(I asked this question at math stackexchange 4 months ago, but received no answers)
Let $\{e_{kj}\}$ be the canonical matrix units in $B(H)$, with $H$ separable. Define projections $q_k$ by
$$
q_k=\...
- 2,793
6
votes
1
answer
353
views
Equivalence of $\sigma$-weak topology to another topology
Let $\mathcal H$ be a Hilbert space. Define a topology $\tau_1$ on $B(\mathcal H)$ by the family of seminorms $x\mapsto |Tr(xa)|,$ $a\in L^1(B(\mathcal H)).$ Here $B(\mathcal H)$ denotes the set of ...
- 1,879
6
votes
1
answer
643
views
Is there an irreducible, noncompact commuting, nonnormal operator, with spectrum strictly continuous?
Let $H$ be an infinite dimensional separable Hilbert space.
Definition: The commutant $\mathcal{S}'$ of a subset $\mathcal{S} \subset B(H)$ is $ \{A \in B(H) : AB=BA \ , \ \forall B \in \mathcal{S} \}...
6
votes
1
answer
363
views
von Neumann automorphisms: does convergence on a dense algebra imply $u$-convergence?
Let $M$ be a separable von Neumann algebra and let $A$ be a (von Neumann-)dense *-subalgebra.
Suppose that $\alpha,\alpha_1,\alpha_2,\dots$ are automorphisms of $M$, such that for every $a \in A$,
$$ \...
- 1,786
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 ...
5
votes
2
answers
934
views
Question about projections in von Neumann algebras
Let $M$ be a von Neumann algebra, and let $\mathcal{P}$ be the set of nontrivial (not equal to $0$ or $e$) projections of $M$. Define $p,q \in \mathcal{P}$ to be equivalent if there exist projections ...
- 388
5
votes
2
answers
342
views
Projections in atomless von Neumann algebras
Let $\varepsilon>0$.
If we consider a sequence $\{f_n\}$ in $L_\infty(0,1)$, then there exists a very small subset $A$ of $(0,1)$ with $m(A)<\varepsilon$ such that $$\|f_n \chi_A\|_\infty =\|...
- 617
5
votes
1
answer
296
views
Number of II${}_1$ factors
McDuff proved that there exist continuum many non-isomorphic (separable) II${}_1$ factors. I would like to politely ask whether it is known/open if one can find $2^{\mathfrak{c}}$ (or at least $\...
- 387
5
votes
1
answer
183
views
Question about modular group (Modular theory in operator algebras, section 2.14)
Consider the following fragment from Stratila's book "Modular theory in operator algebras", section 2.14, p20:
I'm trying to understand the claim $(3)$ (see the red box). The main strategy ...
- 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 ...
- 18.7k
5
votes
1
answer
204
views
Continuity of the extension of a tracial state with respect to the strong operator topology
Problem: Let $M\subseteq B(H)$ be a finite von Neumann algebra with a faithful tracial state $\tau$. Let $\widetilde{M}$ be the $\tau$-measurable operators on $M$ (recalled below). Extend the trace $\...
- 85
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
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
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 ...
- 267
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 $\...
- 175
4
votes
1
answer
199
views
Does noncommutative Lp-convergence respect orderings?
Let $M$ be a von Neumann algebra and $\tau$ a faithful (semi-finite?) normal trace on $M$; as is standard, the $L^p$-norm is defined as $||u||_p=\tau(|u|^p)^{1/p}$. Let $\{u_i\}_{i=1}^\infty$ be a ...
- 767
4
votes
1
answer
246
views
Takesaki lemma 1.16 (volume II, chapter VII)
I am trying to understand the proof of the implication $(i)\implies (ii)$ in Takesaki's book "Theory of operator algebras II", chapter VII, which says the following:
The relevant setting ...
- 175
4
votes
1
answer
251
views
Show that $\Lambda_\varphi(x_n)\to \Lambda_\varphi(x)$ for an nsf weight $\varphi$ on a von Neumann algebra
Let $\varphi$ be an nsf weight on a von Neumann algebra $M$. Fix a square-integrable element $x\in \mathscr{N}_\varphi$. Put
$$x_n := \sqrt{\frac{n}{\pi}}\int_{-\infty}^{+\infty} \exp(-nt^2) \sigma_t^\...
- 175
4
votes
1
answer
203
views
weights of projections and norms of operators in a von Neumann algebra
Let $M$ be an atomless von Neumann algebra equipped with a (semifinite faithful normal) weight $w$. Let $x\in M$ and let $\varepsilon>0$.
Can we find a constant $\delta>0$ such that whenever a ...
- 617