Groupoids, inverse semigroups, and their operator algebras (Q1273625)

This outstanding book brings together three mathematical objects ``which a priori seem to have nothing much in common''. 1) Groupoids, i.e., sets equipped with a partially defined multiplication having a grouplike structure. Examples occur in the geometry of Riemannian manifolds. 2) Inverse semigroups, i.e., sets \(S\) of partial bijections forming a semigroup closed under inversions. One may consider the Banach \(*\)-algebra \(\ell^1(S)\) under convolution, the universal \(C^*\)-algebra \(C^*(S)\), the reduced \(C^*\)-algebra \(C^*_{\text{red}} (S)\) as in the case of groups. The substitute for the left Haar measure on groups is a ``left Haar system''; but it does not exist in all cases and may be nonunique. 3) Representation theory of inverse semigroups in terms of groupoids. The concept of amenability is largely carried over to the present framework. In particular, Clifford semigroups are examined. An example coming from physics, quasicrystals, is discussed. Throughout the monograph explicit clear proofs are provided. The large coverage of this material makes pleasant reading.