The generator rank of \(C^\ast \)-algebras (Q2217520)

The author studies a numerical invariant termed `generator rank' associated to a C*-algebra. Given a C*-algebra \(A\), it is of interest to determine the minimal number of elements needed to generate the C*-algebra. This invariant is, however, not well-behaved with respect to passing to ideals, quotients, and taking inductive limits. Therefore, the author proposes a different invariant (denoted \(\text{gr}(A)\)) which counts the minimal number of `stable' generators. This invariant enjoys a number of useful properties. The author explicitly computes it for commutative C*-algebras, and describes how it behaves with respect to ideals, quotients, and taking inductive limits. As a consequence, the author proves that every separable AF-algebra is singly generated. This is one of the principal results of the paper. In addition to this, the author shows how the generator rank relates to the real rank of the C*-algebra, and also proves that a C*-algebra has generator rank zero if and only if it is commutative with totally disconnected spectrum.