K-theoretic duality for hyperbolic dynamical systems (Q2405322)

This paper extends an earlier result of the first two authors [Commun. Math. Phys. 187, No. 3, 509--522 (1997; Zbl 0887.19002)], concerning \(K\)-theoretic duality between pairs of Cuntz-Krieger \(C^*\)-algebras, to a more general class of \(C^*\)-algebras constructed from dynamical systems: namely, to the Ruelle \(C^*\)-algebras of Smale spaces. These \(C^*\)-algebras were introduced in [\textit{D. Ruelle}, Invent. Math. 93, No. 1, 1--13 (1988; Zbl 0657.58026)] and [\textit{I. F. Putnam}, Can. J. Math. 48, No. 1, 175--195 (1996; Zbl 0855.46034)]. The underlying ideas from dynamical systems go back to \textit{S. Smale} [Bull. Am. Math. Soc. 73, 747--817 (1967; Zbl 0202.55202)]. Shifts of finite type are examples of Smale spaces and their Ruelle algebras are (up to stable isomorphism) Cuntz-Krieger algebras. The main theorem of the paper asserts that if \(R^s\) and \(R^u\) denote, respectively, the stable and the unstable Ruelle algebras of a Smale space, then there are \(KK\)-theory classes \(\delta\in KK^1(\mathbb{C}, R^s\otimes R^u)\) and \(\Delta\in KK^1(R^u\otimes R^s,\mathbb{C})\) whose Kasparov products satisfy \(\delta\otimes_{R^u} \Delta =1_{R^s}\) and \(\Delta\otimes_{R^s}\delta = 1_{R^u}\). It follows that the \(K\)-theory of \(R^s\) is isomorphic, with a degree shift, to the \(K\)-homology of \(R^u\). The key step in the proof, as in the case of Cuntz-Krieger algebras [the first two authors, loc. cit.], is the construction of \(\Delta\). The authors realise \(R^s\) and \(R^u\) as \(C^*\)-algebras of operators on a Hilbert space canonically associated to the underlying Smale space, in such a way that the two algebras commute modulo compact operators. In this construction the hyperbolic nature of the dynamics of Smale spaces enters in a crucial way. The \(C^*\)-algebra generated by these two representations then defines the required \(K\)-homology class \(\Delta\in \text{Ext}(R^u\otimes R^s,\mathcal K)\cong KK^1(R^u\otimes R^s,\mathbb C)\).