A torsion-free algebraically \(C^*\)-unique group (Q2211953)

A discrete group \(G\) is called algebraically \(C^*\)-unique if the complex group ring \(\mathbb C[G]\) admits a unique \(C^*\)-norm. The family of algebraically \(C^*\)-unique groups is evidently contained in the class of all amenable discrete groups, but the converse is shown not to be true, see \textit{V. Alekseev} and \textit{D. Kyed} [Pac. J. Math. 298, No. 2, 257--266 (2019; Zbl 1452.16028)]. It is also proved by \textit{R. Grigorchuk} et al. [Comment. Math. Helv. 93, No. 1, 157--201 (2018; Zbl 1396.46044)] that every locally finite group is algebraically \(C^*\)-unique. The converse of this fact dose not hold as well. Indeed the group \((\oplus_{\mathbb Z}\mathbb Z_2) \rtimes\mathbb Z\), which is given by Ozawa, is a \(C^*\)-unique group which is not locally finite. In the paper under review, the author proves that for two multiplicatively independent integers \(p\) and \(q\), the torsion-free group \(\mathbb Z[1/pq]\rtimes \mathbb Z^2 \) is algebraically \(C^*\)-unique. Providing this example, he answers a question asked by Vadim Alekseev.