An intrinsic characterization of pro-\(C^*\)-algebras and its applications (Q2367766)

The authors prove some facts on pro-\(C^*\)-algebras, i.a. the following: A complete locally \(m\)-convex \(^*\)algebra (lmc-\(^*\)algebra) \(A\) is a pro-\(C^*\)-algebra iff \(A\) contains a dense \(C^*\)-subalgebra continuously embedded in \(A\) iff \(A\) is Hermitian and every continuous Hermitian linear functional on \(A\) is a difference of two continuous positive linear functionals. A complete lmc algebra \(A\) is a pro-\(C^*\)- algebra under some involution iff the dual of \(A\) is a direct sum of Hermitian functionals (defined with respect to numerical ranges). A metrizable pro-\(C^*\)-algebra is nuclear (as a locally convex space) iff \(A\) is a countable inverse limit of finite-dimensional \(C^*\)-algebras. Additionally if \(A\) is Abelian, it is homeomorphically \(^*\)isomorphic to the algebra of all scalar sequences with pointwise convergence. A \(^*\)-representation \(\pi\) of a pro-\(C^*\)-algebra into unbounded Hilbert space operators maps Hermitian elements to essentially selfadjoint operators; and if \(\pi\) is topologically irreducible, then it is algebraically irreducible, mapping \(A\) into the \(C^*\)-algebra of bounded operators.