On power-bounded operators in finite von Neumann algebras (Q1815296)

Suppose \(T\) is a power bounded operator belonging to a finite von Neumann algebra. The authors prove that if the spectrum of \(T\) is contained in the unit circle, or if it is of class \(C_{1,\cdot}\) (i.e. \(T^nx\to 0\) only when \(x=0\)), then the Cesàro means of the sequence \((T^{*n}T^n)_{n\geq 1}\) converge strongly to an invertible operator \(B\) such that \(B^{\frac 12}TB^{-\frac 12}\) is unitary. In particular, this provides an affirmative answer to a question of \textit{I. Kovács} [Colloq. Math. Soc. János Bolyai 5, 351-352 (1972; Zbl 0249.47033)].