An example of dual control (Q1266980)

Let \(M\) be a complete Riemannian manifold, and let \(D\) be a self-adjoint operator of Dirac type acting on a Hilbert space \(H\) of \(L^2\) sections of a vector bundle over \(M\). Pointwise multiplication gives \(H\) the structure of a \(C_0 (M)\)-module. The map \(f\mapsto f(D)\) gives \(H\) the structure of a \(C_0 (\mathbb{R})\)-module. The index-theoretic aspect of the author's coarse geometry [\textit{J. Roe}, Mem. Am. Math. Soc. 104, Number 497, 90 p. (1993; Zbl 0780.58043)] is based on the observation that the \(C_0 (\mathbb{R})\) action on \(H\) maps \(C_0 (\mathbb{R})\) to \(C^* M\), the \(C^*\) algebra generated by the locally compact, finite propagation (with respect to \(M\)) operators on \(H\). Coarse geometry developed from an interpretation of into the foundation for interesting work on the Novikov conjecture. It is now understood that coarse geometry is related to an approach to the Novikov conjecture known as controlled topology [see \textit{N. Higson, E. K. Pedersen} and \textit{J. Roe}, \(K\)-Theory 11, 209-239 (1997; Zbl 0879.19003)]. In the present paper, the author adopts a dual point of view to show that the setting of the first paragraph defines a map from \(C_0 (M)\) to \(C^* \mathbb{R}\), the \(C^*\) algebra generated by operators that are locally compact and have finite propagation with respect to \(\mathbb{R}\). (Here \(C^* \mathbb{R}\) is not the group \(C^*\) algebra of the abelian group \(\mathbb{R}\).) The author shows that when \(M\) is compact, this perspective recovers the index theory of Toeplitz operators associated with invertible functions on \(M\). The author's point is that using the elliptic operator to provide control in the noncompact spectral direction puts this result about compact manifolds within the controlled framework.