A simple \(C^ *\)-algebra with a finite and an infinite projection. (Q1886151)

It is known that a von Neumann algebra is simple precisely when it is either a factor of type \(\text{I}_n\) for \(n<\infty\), a factor of type \(\text{II}_1\), or a separable factor of type \(\text{III}\). This leads to the question if (non-type I) simple \(C^*\)-algebras can be divided into two subclasses, one that resembles type \(\text{II}_1\) factors and another that resembles type \(\text{III}\) factors. In this connection, Cuntz asked if each simple \(C^*\)-algebra similarly must have the property that its (nonzero) projections either all are finite or all are infinite. Or can a simple \(C^*\)-algebra contain both a (nonzero) finite and an infinite projection? In the present paper, the author gives an affirmative answer to the latter question: namely, he exhibits a simple (non-type I) \(C^*\)-algebra that corresponds to a type \(\text{II}_1\) or to a type III factor.