A dichotomy for derivations on \({\mathcal O}_ n\) (Q1087799)

Let \({\mathcal O}_ n\) be the Cuntz algebra generated by \(s_ 1,...,s_ n\), and let \({\mathcal P}({\mathcal O}_ n)\) be the \({}^*\)-subalgebra of \({}^*\)-polynomials in the generators. It is shown that if \(\delta\) is a gauge-invariant derivation from \({\mathcal P}({\mathcal O}_ n)\) into \({\mathcal P}({\mathcal O}_ n)\), and \(\delta\) is approximately inner, then \(\delta\) is inner. An example shows that this conclusion fails for derivations from \({\mathcal P}({\mathcal O}_ n)\) into \({\mathcal O}_ n\). The corresponding problem for non-gauge-invariant derivations is still open.