Questions tagged [von-neumann-algebras]
Subtag of the [oa.operator-algebras] tag for questions about von Neumann algebras, that is, weak operator topology closed, unital, *-subalgebras of bounded operators on a Hilbert space.
621 questions
4
votes
0
answers
121
views
Projection behavior under the automorphism $\Phi$ on a diffuse semi-finite von Neumann algebra
Let $\mathcal{M}$ be a diffuse semi-finite von Neumann algebra acting on a Hilbert space $\mathcal{H}$, equipped with a faithful normal semi-finite trace $\varphi$. Let $\Phi : \mathcal{M} \to \...
1
vote
0
answers
69
views
Compressions and (ir)rational trace
Let $\mathcal{M}$ be a type $II_1$ factor with tracial state $\tau$ and $P$ be a projection in $\mathcal{M}$ such that $\tau(P)=1/n$ for some natural number $n.$ It is known (Ananatharaman-Popa "...
1
vote
0
answers
86
views
Proof mistake of: $M_0A(G) = B(G)$ for a locally compact group
I am posting my question of mathstack exchange here. (see: My post on MSE)
Let $G$ be a locally compact group with Haar measure $\mu$, and $B(G),A(G),C_r^*(G),L(G)$ be its Fourier-Stieltjes algebra, ...
2
votes
0
answers
69
views
Link between Carathéodory's criterion and commutation in an orthomodular lattice?
In the theory of outer measures, Carathéodory's criterion constructs from an outer measure $\mu^*$ on $X$ a $\sigma$-algebra $\Sigma$ of subsets of $X$, on which the restriction of $\mu^*$ is a ...
0
votes
1
answer
119
views
Reference request: hyperfinite cross product
Given a countable essentially free ergodic non-singular group action $G \curvearrowright (X, \mu)$ on a standard measure space, suppose $\mu$ is a non-atomic probability measure and $\alpha: G \...
0
votes
0
answers
123
views
crossed product by compact groups
Do we need the ambient measure on G to be a Haar measure in order to form the crossed product by a compact group of a von Neumann algebra M? If the measure is indeed Haar, then we can obtain the ...
2
votes
0
answers
68
views
Unitarily equivalent von Neumann algebras
Do we know examples of separably acting von Neumann algebras $\mathcal{M}$ such that $\mathcal{M}$ is unitarily equivalent to $M_{k}(\mathcal{M})$ for some $k\in\mathbb{N}\,?$
Obviously there are ...
6
votes
0
answers
110
views
Standard form of fiber product of von Neumann algebras
Let $Z$ be an abelian von Neumann algebra, and let $A$ and $B$ be two von Neumann algebras that receive central maps $Z \to Z(A)$ and $Z \to Z(B)$.
We may then construct the fiber product of $A$ and $...
0
votes
1
answer
96
views
Intersection of injective von Neumann algebras
Do we have a counterexample of injective von Neumann algebras $\mathcal{M}$ and $\mathcal{N}$ acting on the Hilbert space $H$ such that $\mathcal{M}\cap \mathcal{N}$ is not injective ?
2
votes
0
answers
35
views
Kernels of derivations and hyperreflexivity
Let $H$ be a Hilbert space and $\mathcal{X}\subseteq \mathcal{B}(H)$ be an operator space. We denote $d(T,\mathcal{X})=\inf_{X\in\mathcal{X}}\|T-X\|,\,\,T\in\mathcal{B}(H)$ and $r_{\mathcal{X}}(T)=\...
3
votes
0
answers
109
views
Faithful traces on reduced $C^*$-algebra of a measured groupoid
Let $G$ be a measured étale groupoid with quasi-invariant measure $\mu$ (that induces the reduced $C^* $-algebra, meaning it has full support) with associated equivalent measures $\nu,\nu^{-1}$.
Is ...
4
votes
1
answer
252
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
$$x_n := \sqrt{\frac{n}{\pi}}\int_{-\infty}^{+\infty} \exp(-nt^2) \sigma_t^\...
3
votes
0
answers
97
views
Is a localised "restricted symmetry" automorphism implementable as a unitary operator on the GNS Hilbert space?
I have a pure state $\omega$ on a quasilocal algebra $\mathcal{A}$ on a 2d lattice $\Gamma = \mathbb{Z}^2$ with a $\mathbb{C}^d$ vector space on each site. Let there be a unitary symmetry action $U_g(...
5
votes
1
answer
183
views
Question about modular group (Modular theory in operator algebras, section 2.14)
Consider the following fragment from Stratila's book "Modular theory in operator algebras", section 2.14, p20:
I'm trying to understand the claim $(3)$ (see the red box). The main strategy ...
1
vote
0
answers
91
views
Subfactors with integer Jones index
Is there any integer (Jones) index subfactor which is not extremal?
1
vote
1
answer
186
views
Takesaki II "Bimodule" question
Consider the following fragment from Takesaki's book "Theory of operator algebras", chapter IX Non-commutative integration, Section 3 on p187-188:
I have trouble understanding the equality
$...
0
votes
0
answers
111
views
Integral decomposition
Let $\mathcal{A}$ be a separably acting von Neumann algebra and let $$\mathcal{A}\cong \int_{\Gamma}^{\oplus} \mathcal{A}_{\gamma}\,d\mu(\gamma)$$ be its direct integral decomposition into factors $\...
5
votes
0
answers
103
views
Hartle-Hawking state as a universal maximum entropy weight on the observer algebra
$\newcommand{\HH}{\mathrm{HH}}$Consider a general spacetime containing an observer, and let $\mathcal{A}_{\mathrm{obs}}$
denote the algebra of observables available to the observer. It has been ...
3
votes
0
answers
117
views
Is every strongly singly generated type $II_1$ factor generated by a pair of hyperfinite $II_1$ subfactors with a common MASA?
A type $II_1$ factor $M$ is strongly singly generated (SSG) if every amplification $M^{t}$ of $M$ is singly generated as a von Neumann algebra. Interesting characterizations of SSG type $II_1$ factors,...
2
votes
0
answers
93
views
Amenability and the unitary group of an operator algebra
Let $M$ be a von Neumann algebra and $U(M)=\{x\in M: x^*=x^{-1}\}$ be its unitary group. In this post, we equip $U(M)$ only with the relative weak$^*$ topology $\sigma(M,M_*)$. Then, $U(M)$ is a ...
3
votes
2
answers
132
views
$w^*$-limit of projections in von Neumann algebra
Let $\mathcal M$ be a semi finite von Neumann algebra with a normal faithful semi finite trace $\tau$. Let $(e_i)_{I\in I}$ be a net of projections in the von Neumann algebra which converges to an ...
3
votes
0
answers
96
views
Excising the trace of a $II_1$-factor
Recall that a state $\varphi$ on a $C^*$-algebra $A$ is said to be excised by projections if there exists a net of projections $e_i \in A$ such that $\| e_i a e_i - \varphi(a) e_i\| \to_{i} 0$ for all ...
4
votes
1
answer
137
views
Fixed point algebra of a non-amenable factor
Let $M$ be a non-amenable factor. Suppose $\alpha$ is an action of a group $\Bbb R$ on $M$.
Define $$M^{\alpha}:=\{x\in M: \alpha_t(x)=x \text{ for any} \; t\in \Bbb R\}.$$
If we know that there exits ...
2
votes
0
answers
145
views
About normal states in abstract von Neumann algebras
In the book "Fundamental of the theory of operator algebras" (KAdisong and Ringrose, Vol 2) we have the Corollary 7.1.16
but this was state only for concrete von Neumann algebras (because ...
4
votes
0
answers
148
views
Is every pointwise-weakly continuous one-parameter group of automorphisms of B(H) given by a Hamiltonian?
Let $\mathcal H$ be a Hilbert space, $\mathscr B(\mathcal H)$ be the von Neumann algebra of all bounded operators on $\mathcal H$, and let $\sigma $ be a one-parameter group
of automorphisms of $\...
7
votes
1
answer
244
views
Approximately semifinite factors
For the sake of this question, lets call a factor $M$ approximately semifinite if there exists an increasing net of semifinite subfactors $M_i$, $i\in J$, with conditional expectations $E_i:M\to M_i$ ...
8
votes
0
answers
254
views
Question about the homogeneity of the state space of a type $\rm{III}_1$ factor
I'm reading the paper Homogeneity
of the State Space of Factors of Type $\rm{III}_1$ by Connes and Størmer.
Homogeneity of the state space means that all normal states are approximately unitarily ...
7
votes
1
answer
391
views
Positive cone in Haagerup L²-space: how much information does it contain?
Given a von Neumann algebra $A$, its Haagerup $L^2$-space $H:=L^2A$ (also known as the standard form of the Neumann algebra) comes equipped with a positive cone $P\subset H$.
Question: How much ...
4
votes
1
answer
291
views
Strengthening the direct integral decomposition of von Neumann algebas
Let $M$ be a von Neumann with separable predual. It well known that one can write $M$ as a direct sum $M=M_I\oplus M_{II} \oplus M_{III}$ of von Neumann algebras of types $I$, $II$ and $III$.
It is ...
1
vote
0
answers
210
views
How to show that every Von Neumann algebra is unital?
I was reading the book on operator algebra by Kehe Zhu. The proof of theorem 17.7 (page 107) goes like this :
He first considered the set of all non-empty finite subsets of the set of all projections ...
4
votes
1
answer
211
views
Ergodic actions and deviation from invariance
Let $M$ be a von Neumann algebra and let $(\phi_t)$ be an ergodic point-$\sigma$-weakly continuous one-parameter group of automorphisms $\phi_t\in \mathrm{Aut}(M)$, i.e., $\Vert\omega-\omega\circ\...
1
vote
0
answers
277
views
Using the von Neumann crossed product to introduce a measure on the orbit space?
Suppose we're given an action (possibly: ergodic) of a group G (say, $\mathbb{R}$) on a measure space $(X, \mu)$ (possibly: a standard probability space).
Question: is there a natural way of using the ...
4
votes
1
answer
201
views
Does $N \mathbin{\bar{\otimes}} N^{\mathrm{op}}$ act on $L^2(N)$?
Let $N$ be a von Neumann algebra and $N^{\mathrm{op}}$ its opposite. The standard form $L^2(N)$ is an $N$-$N$-bimodule, or equivalently a module over $N \otimes_{\mathrm{alg}} N^{\mathrm{op}}$.
Does ...
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 =\|...
5
votes
1
answer
250
views
Function algebra of Furstenberg boundary $\partial_F \Gamma$: when is it a $W^*$-algebra?
Let $\Gamma$ be a non-amenable discrete group and consider its Furstenberg boundary $\partial_F \Gamma$. It is known that this is a compact topological space which is stonean (equivalently: extremely ...
1
vote
1
answer
128
views
Compare the weight of $p\vee q$ and that of $p+q$
Let $M$ be a von Neumann algebra.
If it has a semifinite faithful normal trace $\tau$, then we have $\tau(p\vee q)\le \tau(p)+\tau(q)$.
However, for the weight (even a faithful normal state) $\omega$ ...
1
vote
1
answer
211
views
Tensor product of faithful normal states is faithful
I know that given C*-algebras $A, B$ with faithful states $\omega,\varpi$, the tensor product state $\omega\otimes\varpi$ on the minimal tensor product $A\otimes_{\text{min}}B$ is faithful.
I also ...
5
votes
1
answer
453
views
von Neumann subalgebra having separable predual
Let $M$ be a von Neumann algebra.
Let $x,y$ be two self-adjoint operators in $M$.
Are there any von Neumann subalgebra $A$ of $M$ containing $x,y$ such that the predual of $A$ is separable?
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 ...
5
votes
1
answer
209
views
Hyperfinite factors and increasing fatorization of states
If a factor $R$ contains a matrix algebra $M\subset R$ (i.e., a $M$ is a type $I_n$ factor), then $R \cong M \otimes M^c$ where $M^c=R\cap M'$ is the relative commutant.
Each state $\omega$ on $R$ ...
1
vote
1
answer
256
views
Intersection of two intermediate subalgebras
Suppose $B\subset A$ is an inclusion of simple $C^*$-algebras with a conditional expectation of (Watatani) index-finite type and $B^{\prime}\cap A=\mathbb{C}$. Then we know $B^{\prime}\cap A_1$ is ...
3
votes
1
answer
143
views
$K_0$ group of an infinite factor
The following question was already posted in this link but I could not understand hints given in this post.
Let $\mathcal{M}$ be an infinite factor and my question is how to prove that $K_0(\mathcal{M}...
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 ...
14
votes
0
answers
231
views
Unitary group of a von Neumann algebra: is it a retract of $U(H)$?
Let $M\subset B(H)$ be a properly infinite von Neumann algebra (the case I care about is $M=$ hyperfinite $\mathrm{III}_1$).
Consider the unitary groups $U(M)$ and $U(H)$ in their strong operator ...
1
vote
0
answers
111
views
Inclusion of finite dimensional C*-algebras and relative commutants of subfactors
Given a subfactor $N\subset M$ with finite Jones index, the inclusion of relative commutants $N^{\prime}\cap M\subset N^{\prime}\cap M_1$ (here, $M_1$ is the basic construction of $N\subset M$) is a ...
2
votes
2
answers
135
views
Directed sets of positive elements in noncommutative $\mathrm L^p$ spaces
Let $\tau$ be a faithful normal semifinite trace on a von Neumann algebra $\mathcal M$.
If $1<p<\infty$ and $E$ is a nonempty subset of $\mathrm L^p(\mathcal M,\tau)_+$ such that
for every $x\...
3
votes
1
answer
103
views
Relation between factor condition on von Neumann algebras and modularity condition on ribbon fusion categories
A modular tensor category is defined to be a ribbon fusion category $\mathcal{C}$ in which the only objects which commute with all other objects are multiples of the identity. That is, if we denote by ...
2
votes
0
answers
118
views
Depth of the reduced subfactor
Suppose $N\subset M$ is a finite depth subfactor with $[M:N]<\infty$. Consider the reduced subfactor $pNp\subset pMp$ for some projection $p\in N$. How to calculate the depth of $pNp\subset pMp$ in ...
3
votes
0
answers
253
views
Two more topologies on unitary groups
Let $H$ be a separable Hilbert space and let $\operatorname{U}(H)$ be the group of unitary transformations of $H$. It is well known that the weak, strong and compact-open topologies on $\operatorname{...
5
votes
1
answer
165
views
Approximation from below of positive elements in tensor product of von Neumann algebras
Let $\mathcal M$ and $\mathcal N$ be two von Neumann algebras.
If $x$ is a positive element of $\mathcal M$ and $y$ is a positive element of $\mathcal N$, it is known that $x\otimes y$ is a positive ...