A linearization of Connes' embedding problem (Q958357)

Connes' embedding problem asks whether every von~Neumann algebra \(M\) with a separable predual and with a fixed normal faithful tracial state can be embedded in an ultrapower \(R^{\omega}\) of the hyperfinite \(II_1\) factor \(R\) in a trace-preserving way. In the present paper, the authors show that the above problem is equivalent to a statement about distributions of sums of selfadjoint operators with matrix coefficients. This result is obtained as an application of a linearization result in finite von Neumann algebras which implies that if \(X_1, X_2, Y_1\) and \(Y_2\) are selfadjoint elements of a finite von~Neumann algebra and if the distribution (i.e., the moments) of \[ a_1\otimes X_1+a_2\otimes X_2 \] and \[ a_1\otimes Y_1+a_2\otimes Y_2 \] agree for all \(n \in \mathbb{N}\) and all selfadjoint matrices \(a_1,a_2\in\mathbb{M}_n(\mathbb{C})\), then the mixed moments of the pair \((X_1,X_2)\) agree with the mixed moments of the pair \((Y_1,Y_2)\), i.e., the trace of \(X_{i_1},X_{i_2},\dots,X_{i_k}\) agrees with the trace of \(Y_{i_1}, Y_{i_2},\dots, Y_{i_k}\) for all \(k\in\mathbb{N}\) and all \(i_1, i_2, \dots, i_k\in \{1,2\}\). This is equivalent to the existence of a trace-preserving isomorphism from the von~Neumann algebra generated by \(X_1\) and \(X_2\) onto the von~Neumann generated by \(Y_1\) and \(Y_2\) which sends \(X_i\) to \(Y_i\), \(i=1,2\). The linearization result is proved using asymptotic second-order freeness of Gaussian random matrices.