Entropy of groups and subfactors (Q1185751)

The author shows that the classical notion of entropy of a finitely generated group \(G\) as introduced by \textit{A. Avez} [C. R. Acad. Sci., Paris, Sér. A 275, 1363-1366 (1972; Zbl 0252.94013)] is related by an explicit formula to the entropy of \textit{A. Connes} and \textit{E. Størmer} [Acta Math. 134, 289-306 (1975; Zbl 0326.46032)] and the index of \textit{V. F. R. Jones} [Invent. Math. 72, 1-25 (1983; Zbl 0508.46040)] of the associated pair of finite von Neumann algebras as considered by \textit{S. Popa} [C. R. Acad. Sci., Paris Sér. I 309, No. 12, 771-776 (1989; Zbl 0684.46051)]. This construction is discussed in detail. The author proves that the entropy of \(G\) is maximal if and only if \(G\) is the free group and computes its value. Then he shows how the entropy of groups is connected to random walks on groups and information theory. Finally he gives a brief discussion of the group entropy as a growth invariant and compares it to the Grigorchuk-Cohen cogrowth and Kesten's invariant \(\lambda (G)\).