On \(C^*\)-algebras generated by idempotents (Q1912908)

The authors show that for each finitely generated Banach algebra \(A\) there exists a number \(n_0\), such that the algebra \(A^{n\times n}\) of all \(n\times n\) matrices with entries in \(A\) is generated by three idempotents whenever \(n\geq n_0\). Also, \(A^{n\times n}\) is generated by two idempotents if and only if \(n= 2\). It follows that the algebra \(C^{n\times n}(K)\) of all continuous \(\mathbb{C}^{n\times n}\)-matrix valued functions on a compact set \(K\subset\mathbb{C}\) is generated by 3 idempotents when \(n\geq 2\). When \(n= 2\) and \(K\) has connected complement and no interior points, then \(C^{2\times 2}(K)\) is generated by 2 idempotents. This result is used to construct examples of \(C^*\)-algebras which are generated by two idempotents but not two projections.