Semi-invertible extensions and asymptotic homomorphisms (Q1771128)

This paper is a study of a general structure in the extensions of a separable \(C^*\)-algebra \(A\) by another separable and stable \(C^*\)-algebra \(B\). So, the semigroup \(\text{{Ext}}(A,B)\) of extensions of \(A\) by \(B\) modulo equivalence and modulo asymptotically split extensions is considered. This semigroup contains the group \(\text{{Ext}}^{-1/2}(A,B)\) of semi-invertible extensions (i.e., of invertible elements) studied in the first part of the paper. The homotopy invariance of the functor \(\text{{Ext}}^{-1/2}\) in the second variable, from the category of separable \(C^*\)-algebras to the category of abelian groups, is proven, the homotopy invariance in the first variable being an immediate consequence. The main result of the paper is that an appropriate modification of the Connes--Higson construction [cf. \textit{A. Connes} and \textit{N. Higson}, C. R. Acad. Sci., Paris, Sér. I Math. 311, No. 2, 101--106 (1990; Zbl 0717.46062)] gives rise to an isomorphism between the group \(\text{{Ext}}^{1/2}(A,B)\) and the group \([[TA,SA;B]]\) of the homotopy classes of asymptotic homomorphisms from \(C({\mathbb{T}})\otimes A\) to \(M(B)\) that map \(SA\subseteq C(\mathbb{T})\otimes A\) into \(B\). This result is a ``qualified `Yes'\,'' to one of the main questions in this field, namely: does the Connes--Higson construction, in the general case, provide us with an isomorphism from unitary equivalence classes of semi-invertible extensions modulo asymptotically split extensions to homotopy classes of asymptotic homomorphisms?