On the topology of classical groups and homogeneous spaces associated with a \(W^ *\)-algebra factor (Q1101747)

The classical groups Sp(n,R) and U(n,m,\({\mathbb{C}})\) have infinite dimensional analogues relative to a \(W^*\)-algebra: if \({\mathcal M}\) is a (real or complex) \(W^*\)-algebra factor consider U(\({\mathcal M},Q)=\{x\in {\mathcal M}|\) \(x^*Qx=Q=xQx^*\}\), \(Q\in {\mathcal M}^ a \)self-adjoint unitary, and Sp(\({\mathcal M},J)=\{x\in {\mathcal M}|\) \(x^*Jx=J=xJx^*\}\), \(J\in {\mathcal M}^ a \)skew-adjoint unitary. We determine the homotopy type of these groups in the case where \({\mathcal M}\) is continuous or of infinite type [cf. the author, Math. Ann. 267, 271-277 (1984; Zbl 0539.46048); Integral Equations Oper. Theory 9, 694-705 (1986; Zbl 0608.46047)]. Moreover, we obtain the homotopy type of the Grassmann manifold and the Banach manifold consisting of skew-adjoint unitaries which both are homogeneous spaces related to the unitary retracts of U(\({\mathcal M},Q)\) and Sp(\({\mathcal M},J)\), respectively.