Group \(C^*\)-algebras as compact quantum metric spaces (Q1856382)

In a recent paper [Doc. Math. 3, 215-229 (1998; Zbl 0945.46052)], the author has considered various metrics on the state space \(S\) of a unital C\(^*\)-algebra \(A\) on which a compact Lie group \(G\) acts ergodically. The most prominent of these metrics is the metric associated with a spectral triple one can assign to the group action and an inner product on the vector-space dual of the Lie algebra. He has shown that all these metrics induce the weak-* topology on the state space of \(A\). This leads to the natural question whether results of this kind can be obtained for noncompact groups as well, which has, for the time being, turned out to a much more difficult issue. A length function \(\lambda\) (called \(\ell\) in the paper) on any group \(G\) (which does neither need to be compact nor a Lie group) is defined to be a nonnegative function \(\lambda\) on \(G\) with the properties (i) \(\lambda(g)=0\) if and only if \(g=1\), (ii) \(\lambda(g^{-1})=\lambda(g)\), and (iii) \(\lambda(gh)\leq\lambda(g)+\lambda(h)\) (note that other authors have imposed additional conditions for the definition of a length function; [see, e.g., \textit{I. Chiswell}, Math. Proc. Cambridge Philsos. Soc. 80, 451-463 (1976; Zbl 0351.20024)] and [\textit{R. C. Lyndon}, Math. Scand. 12, 209-234 (1963; Zbl 0119.26402)]). On the Hilbert space \(\ell^2\) on a countable group \(G\), the reduced group C\(^*\)-algebra \(C^*_c(G)\) of \(G\) forms a spectral triple with the operator \(M_\lambda\) of multiplication by any length function \(\lambda\) on \(G\), which plays the role of the Dirac operator. The author wants to find out whether the metric topology induced on the state space of \(C^*_c(G)\) coincides with the weak-* topology, in parallel with the result for a compact Lie group mentioned earlier. The main theorem states that an affirmative answer can be given for the concrete example of the group \({\mathbb Z}^d\) and a length function deduced from some word length or from a restriction to \({\mathbb Z}^d\) of a norm on \({\mathbb R}^d\). The C\(^*\)-algebra in the spectral triple in use does not need to be \(C^*_c(G)\), some more general C\(^*\)-algebras are admitted as well.