Weakening idempotency in \(K\)-theory (Q2363194)

This interesting paper defines a new picture, apparently overlooked until now, of \(C^*\)-algebraic \(K\)-theory. This picture consists of balanced pairs \((a,b)\), which are matrix elements satisfying certain algebraic relations, weaker than idempotence. The proof that this provides \(K\)-theory makes use of the theory of extensions and of stable relations. First, one shows that the homotopy classes of balanced pairs over a \(C^*\)-algebra \(A\) provide a group, \(L(A)\). Then, constructing explicitly the universal algebra corresponding to the relations in question, and showing it to be semiprojective, one obtains some continuity properties for the functor \(L\). Then, using semiprojectivity again, one shows half-exactness and homotopy invariance. The conclusion is that the functor \(L\) coincides with the \(K\)-theory functor.