Factorization problems for nests: Factorization methods and characterizations of the universal factorization property (Q1122763)

Let \({\mathcal M}\) be a von Neumann algebra which can be faithfully represented on a separable Hilbert space and let \(\beta\) be a strongly closed nest in \({\mathcal M}\). The present paper is concerned with two related questions. Firstly, if \(S\in {\mathcal M}\) is invertible, is it possible to write \(S^*S=A^*A\), with A and \(A^{-1}\) belonging to Alg \(\beta\), the algebra of \(\beta\)-invariant elements of \({\mathcal M}?\) If it is possible to do so, then S is said to factor along \(\beta\). Secondly, does every invertible S in \({\mathcal M}\) factor along \(\beta\) ? If the answer here is yes, then \(\beta\) is said to have the universal factorization property. The author also discusses two weaker notions of left and right factorization of an invertible element S of a \(C^*\)-algebra \({\mathcal F}\) relative to a unital subalgebra \({\mathcal A}\) of \({\mathcal F}\). The former occurs when there exists an isometry W in \({\mathcal F}\) such that both \(S^{-1}W\) and \(W^*S\) belong to \({\mathcal A}\), whilst the latter corresponds to the existence of a coisometry V such that \(V^*S\) and \(S^{-1}V\) belong to \({\mathcal A}.\) As a tool to study these questions, the author first considers the analogue of the LDU factorization of finite matrices, applicable when \(\beta\) is finite. For an arbitrary nest \(\beta\) and an invertible S in \({\mathcal M}\), this leads to nets of factors of \(S^*S\) indexed by the set of all finite partitions of \(\beta\) (directed by refinement). The \(\sigma\)-strong convergence of the corresponding nets of ``lower'' factors (or the inverses of ``upper'' factors) leads to a left partial factorization along \(\beta\), whilst similar conditions lead to a right partial factorization along \(\beta\). On the other hand, \(\sigma^*\)- strong convergence of such factors gives factorization along \(\beta\). The author now turns to his main results. The diagonal \({\mathcal D}(\beta)\) of a nest \(\beta\) is defined as (Alg \(\beta)\cap (Alg \beta)^*\) and \(\beta\) is said to be injective if there is a (necessarily unique) faithful normal conditional expectation of \({\mathcal M}\) onto \({\mathcal D}(\beta)\). Using the ideas of finite partitions introduced earlier, it is shown that every invertible operator in \({\mathcal M}\) has a partial left factorization along an injective nest; also, if \(\beta\) is injective and \(S\in {\mathcal M}\) is invertible, then S factors along \(\beta\) if and only if \(S\beta\) is injective. Similar techniques lead to factorization of a certain class of positive invertible operators in a semifinite von Neumann algebra along an arbitrary nest. In the final section of the paper, various conditions are given for a nest in a factor \({\mathcal M}\) to have the universal factorization property.