All Questions
Tagged with operator-algebras or oa.operator-algebras
2,153 questions
21
votes
0
answers
868
views
Noncommutative arithmetic mean geometric mean inequality and symmetric polynomials
While analyzing convergence speed of stochastic-gradient methods for convex optimization problems, Recht et al (2011) posed a tantalizing conjecture. It seems quite tricky, so after having struggled a ...
- 28.6k
20
votes
8
answers
12k
views
Can a self-adjoint operator have a continuous set of eigenvalues?
This should be a trivial question for mathematicians but not for typical physicists.
I know that the spectrum of a linear operator on a Banach space splits into the so-called "point," "continuous" ...
- 355
20
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Realizing universal $C^*$-algebras as concrete $C^*$-algebras
How do I in general realize a universal C*-algebra generated by some generators and relation as concrete C*-algebras? For example, I know that universal C*-algebra generated by a single unitary is $C(\...
- 493
20
votes
3
answers
2k
views
On connection between Knot theory and Operator algebra
What exactly is the connection between knots and operator algebra? I heard that Jones established such a connection while discovering the celebrated Jones Polynomial.
Now Jones Polynomial is ...
- 615
20
votes
2
answers
1k
views
P-adic C* algebras
I understand that there is a definition of p-adic Banach algebras and that a significant amount of functional analysis can be developed in the non-archimedean setting. Is there a p-adic version of C*-...
- 373
20
votes
2
answers
870
views
C$^*$-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 $$\mathcal A \otimes M_2(\mathbb C) \simeq \mathcal B\otimes M_2(\...
- 3,984
20
votes
2
answers
805
views
Nonseparable disintegration theory: references
I mean a theorem of the following kind. Let $A$ be a C*-algebra, and let $\pi: A\to B(H)$ be its representation. Then there exist a set $P$ with a positive measure $\mu$, a field of Hilbert spaces ...
- 1,152
20
votes
0
answers
827
views
Can we define spectral triples using the language of rigged Hilbert spaces?
The traditional mathematical approach to quantum mechanics,
as developed by von Neumann, is based on Hilbert spaces and unbounded self-adjoint operators.
Another approach, which more closely resembles ...
- 37.8k
19
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Commutators in the reduced C*-algebra of the free group
Is it known whether any element of trace 0 in the reduced $C^*$-algebra of a non-abelian free group, is a limit of sums of (additive) commutators?
- 11.1k
19
votes
1
answer
773
views
Are algebraically isomorphic $C^*$-algebras $*$-isomorphic?
If A and B are C^*-algebras that are algebraically isomorphic to each other, does
this imply that they are *-isomorphic to each other?
- 213
19
votes
1
answer
856
views
A possible extension of a determinant inequality
It is well known that if $A, B$ are positive semidefinite matrices, then $$\det (A+B)\ge \det A+\det B.$$
I am considering a possible extension of this result. Let $\mathbb{M}_m(\mathbb{M}_n)$ ...
- 1,748
19
votes
3
answers
711
views
Almost isometric linear maps
Say that a linear map $\varphi : B(\mathcal H) \rightarrow B(\mathcal H)$ is $\epsilon$-almost isometric if
$$ 1 - \epsilon \leq \lVert\varphi(a)\rVert \leq 1+\epsilon, \quad \forall a\in B(\mathcal H)...
- 3,984
19
votes
0
answers
473
views
On C*-rigidity problem for torsion-free groups
I'd like to address the $\mathrm{C}^\ast$-rigidity problem for
torsion-free groups (see
this paper),
which asks for non-isomorphic torsion-free groups with isomorphic
(reduced) group $\mathrm{C}^\ast$-...
- 10.1k
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 ...
- 275
18
votes
1
answer
458
views
For what topological groups $G$ can we take $EG \rightarrow BG$ to be of the form $S^{\infty} \rightarrow BG$?
Title. For what topological groups $G$ can we take $EG \rightarrow BG$ to be of the form $S^{\infty} \rightarrow BG$?
If $G$ is a subgroup of either $S^0,S^1,S^3$ or $S^7$ this induces a free action ...
- 363
18
votes
2
answers
1k
views
formula for Eta invariant
Hirzebruch's signature formula is not valid for manifolds with boundary.
An error term is introduced by Atiyah-Patodi-Singer to fix it.More precisely:
$$sign (M)=L(M)[M]+\eta(\partial M)$$
Yet ...
- 259
18
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Monoidal structures on von Neumann algebras
My question is based on the following vague belief, shared by many people: It should be possible to use von Neumann algebras in order to define the cohomology theory TMF (topological modular forms) in ...
- 43.2k
18
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Regarding Cayley Graphs of Property (T) Groups
A well-known application of Kazhdan's Property (T) is the construction of expander graphs. Background on this is discussed, for example, in this post on Terry Tao's blog. Essentially, Cayley graphs of ...
- 7,057
18
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Commuting unitaries
Is the following true:
For every unit vectors $x_1,..., x_n$, $y_1,..., y_n$ in $\mathbb{C}^k$
there exist a Hilbert space $H$, unitary operators $U_1,...,U_n$ and $V_1,...,V_n$ in $B(H)$ and unit ...
- 4,705
18
votes
2
answers
924
views
Which groups are the unitary group of a $C^*$-algebra
Which groups are the unitary group of a $C^*$-algebra?
Does anyone know anything in this direction?
- 221
18
votes
0
answers
579
views
What is the geometric intuition behind Wilf-Zeilberger theory?
This problem is somehow inspired by a bunch of impressive posts of combinatorial identities by T. Amdeberhan. Earlier this month I learnt from computer scientists that they have a generic algorithmic ...
- 8,071
18
votes
0
answers
756
views
An "exercise" on von Neumann algebra tensor product
The following problem appears to be an easy exercise on von Neumann algebra tensor products, but since I've been failing to find a rigorous proof, I'd like to make sure it's not that trivial. Suppose $...
- 10.1k
18
votes
0
answers
881
views
What is operator tmf?
One of the many wonderful things about K-theory, relative to other generalized cohomology theories, is that it can be defined for not-necessarily-commutative C*-algebras. The resulting construction, ...
- 118k
18
votes
0
answers
557
views
Do quotients of amenable groups C*-algebras satisfy the UCT?
Let G be a discrete amenable group.
General Question: Let $J$ be an ideal of $C^*(G)$, the group C*-algebra of $G.$ Does $C^*(G)/J$ satisfy the universal
coefficient theorem (UCT)?
I am mainly ...
- 2,689
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
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 ...
17
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Connes' embedding conjecture for uncountable groups
In this topic, I will use the word uncountable group referring to groups whose cardinality is $\leq|\mathbb R|$.
Notation: $R$ is the hyperfinite $II_1$-factor, $\omega$ is a free ultrafilter on the ...
- 6,034
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
2
answers
2k
views
Realisation of the noncommutative torus as a universal $ C^{*} $-algebra
One of the most basic examples in noncommutative geometry is the so-called noncommutative torus, denoted here by $ \mathbb{T}_{\theta} $. As far as I know, there are several equivalent constructions ...
- 9,330
17
votes
3
answers
905
views
Existence of translation-invariant basis on $C_c(\mathbb R)$
Consider the space $C_c(\mathbb R)$ of complex-valued continuous functions of compact support. This is a vector space over $\mathbb C$, and I am not considering any topology, so the question is ...
- 2,071
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
17
votes
1
answer
807
views
Operator Valued Kadison--Singer Problem
The Paving Conjecture, which is equivalent to the famous Kadison--Singer Problem, was spectacularly settled in the affirmative by Marcus--Spielman--Srivastava (arxiv:1306.3969). Let $E$ denote the ...
- 10.1k
17
votes
1
answer
2k
views
The cyclic subfactors theory: a quantum arithmetic?
Context: First recall some results:
Actions of finite groups on the hyperfinite type $II_{1}$ factor $R$ (Jones 1980).
A Galois correspondence for depth 2 irreducible subfactors (Izumi-Longo-Popa ...
17
votes
1
answer
515
views
K-theory space of a C*-algebra
Let $A$ be a unital C*-algebra.
Let me define its "$K$-theory space" to be the image of its $K$-theory spectrum under the functor $\Omega^\infty:$ Spectra $\to$ Spaces.
I denote the $K$-theory space ...
- 43.2k
17
votes
1
answer
710
views
Standard polynomials applied to matrices
The standard polynomial in $r$ non-commuting indeterminates $x_1,\ldots,x_r$ is defined by
$${\mathcal S}_r(x_1,\ldots,x_r):=\sum_{\sigma\in S_r}\epsilon(\sigma)x_{\sigma(1)}x_{\sigma(2)}\cdots x_{\...
- 52.3k
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 ...
- 7,853
16
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Are there other semidirect product/crossed products in other areas
Suppose $(O, G, \alpha)$ is a triple where $O$ is some mathematical object, $G$ is a group and $\alpha : G \rightarrow Aut(O)$. Many different areas of mathematics study such triples. However, I only ...
- 3,984
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 ...
- 7,637
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 ...
- 1,373
16
votes
5
answers
3k
views
Non-commutative geometry from von Neumann algebras?
The Gelfand transform gives an equivalence of categories from the category of unital, commutative $C^*$-algebras with unital $*$-homomorphisms to the category of compact Hausdorff spaces with ...
- 5,425
16
votes
4
answers
5k
views
Topology on the space of Schwartz Distributions
If we equip the Schwartz space $\mathcal{S}$ with its usual Fréchet space topology, then the space of continuous linear functionals $\mathcal{S}^\ast$ is known as the space of Schwartz distributions ...
- 1,270
16
votes
1
answer
3k
views
positive not completely positive maps
In extension to this question
Positive but not completely positive?
I'd like to know, for $k>1$, examples of $k$-positive linear maps of a matrix algebra into itself that are not $k+1$-positive. (...
- 3,873
16
votes
1
answer
2k
views
W*-completion of a C*-algebra?
tl;dr: Is there such a thing as a W*-completion of a C*-algebra, and if so, where can I read about it?
I'm wondering about the relationship between (abstract) C*-algebras and W*-algebras. On the one ...
- 2,754
16
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Discrete groups G whose full C*-algebra C*(G) is not quasidiagonal?
Is there a known example of a countable discrete group G whose full group C*-algebra C*(G) is not quasidiagonal?
Let us recall that a separable C*-algebra A is quasidiagonal if it admits a faithful
*-...
- 163
16
votes
1
answer
526
views
Equivariant Fredholm operators classify equivariant K-theory
Let $\mathcal{F}$ be the space of Fredholm operators on a separable Hilbert space $H$ with the topology induced by the operator norm.
If $X$ is compact,
Atiyah-Jänich proved that
$$[X,\mathcal{F}]\...
- 673
16
votes
1
answer
918
views
Explicit path in the unitary group of a $C^*$-algebra
For $G$ a discrete group, there is a canonical inclusion $g\mapsto u_g$ of $G$ into the unitary group of the reduced $C^*$-algebra $C^*_r(G)$. Denote by $[u_g]$ the class of $u_g$ in the (topological) ...
- 11.1k
16
votes
0
answers
542
views
$C^*$-algebra generated by those operators that are bounded on every $\ell_p$
Suppose $T: c_{00} \to c_{00}$ is a linear map such that, when regarded as an infinite matrix, there is a uniform bound on the $\ell_1$-norms of its columns, and a uniform bound on the $\ell_1$-norms ...
- 25.8k
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,...,...
- 9,330
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 ...
- 1,222
15
votes
2
answers
917
views
Can one associate a "nice" topos to a von Neumann algebra?
The question here inspires my present question.
Reyes proves here that the contravariant functor Spec from the category of commutative rings to the category of sets cannot be extended to the category ...
- 7,057