Subnormal and hyponormal generators of \(C^{*}\)-algebras (Q2368782)

A celebrated theorem in operator theory due to \textit{L. G. Brown, R. G. Douglas} and \textit{P. A. Fillmore} [Ann.\ Math.\ (2) 105, 265--324 (1977; Zbl 0376.46036)] asserts that two essentially normal operators are unitarily equivalent modulo the compact ideal if and only if they possess the same spectral picture (that is, the same spectrum and equal Fredhom indices at all applicable points). The main theme of the paper under review fits into the same philosophy and revolves around the following question: Given a singly generated subalgebra \(C^\ast(A)\) of \(\mathcal B(H)\), when is there a subnormal or hyponormal generator of it? Assuming that the operator \(A\) irreducible and essentially normal, the authors prove that the answer to the above question depends only on the spectral picture of \(A\); similarly for hyponormal generators. We reproduce for illustration the latter result. Assume that \(A \in \mathcal B(H)\) is an irreducible essentially normal operator, with zero index everywhere outside the essential spectrum. Then the \(C^\ast \)-algebra generated by \(A\) admits a hyponormal generator if and only if the essential spectrum of \(A\) is a perfect set. The article contains a great deal of such topological-geometrical-operator theoretic statements. Quite a few are definitive theorems. The proofs are based on an ingenious blend of methods belonging to function theory, point set topology and operator algebras. The authors review and re-prove most of the needed material, making their work accessible to a larger audience. Numerous examples (à la Cantor sets in the plane or the Swiss cheese construction) are presented in full detail.