\(L^2\)-Betti numbers of rigid \(C^\ast\)-tensor categories and discrete quantum groups (Q2402499)

Rigid \(C^\ast\)-tensor categories have been studied in quantum field theory for quite some time. More recently, they have been studied as a framework to unify several notions of symmetry in noncommutative geometry, namely, subfactors and compact quantum groups, which include the duals of discrete groups. In particular, the rigid category underlying a compact quantum group is its category of finite-dimensional representations. Various important constructions in each of these areas make sense for rigid \(C^\ast\)-tensor categories and thus can be carried over to the other areas. This may often shed light on previous constructions. Here, \(L^2\)-Betti numbers are treated in this way. These were defined first for discrete groups, then also for certain inclusions of von Neumann algebras and for unimodular compact quantum groups. This article defines \(L^2\)-Betti numbers for rigid \(C^\ast\)-tensor categories and shows that the definition extends the previous ones for unimodular compact quantum groups and hence for discrete groups. It relates the \(L^2\)-Betti numbers for a rigid \(C^\ast\)-tensor categories and a tensor subcategory in it. This generalises known formulas for the \(L^2\)-Betti numbers of subgroups. This allows the authors to compute \(L^2\)-Betti numbers for a number of discrete quantum groups, including free unitary and free orthogonal quantum groups and certain quantum automorphism groups and free wreath products.