Calkin representations for \(L^{p}\) (Q2422681)

Let \(B(L_p)\) denote the Banach algebra of (bounded, linear) operators on the Banach space \(L_p\). For \(p=2\), the algebra carries an isometric involution making it a \(C^*\)-algebra (even a von Neumann algebra). \textit{I. Farah} et al. proved in [Math. Ann. 347, No. 4, 839--857 (2010; Zbl 1200.46049)] that the position of \(B(L_2)\) in its ultrapower is dependent on the choice of the ultrafilter, as long as the continuum hypothesis is assumed. More specifically, it was proved that the commutant of (the image of the canononical embedding of) \(B(L_2)\) into an ultrapower \(B(L_2)^{\mathscr U}\) very much depends on the choice of \(\mathscr U\) as the commutant may or may not be trivial. The main result of the paper extends the above-described theorem to \(B(L_p)\) for all \(p\in (1,\infty)\) (still under the assumption of the continuum hypothesis). It is proved that non-triviality of the commutant is ensured when the ultrapower is taken with respect to a selective ultrafilter and such ultrafilters do exist under CH. (An ultrafilter \(\mathscr{U}\) is selective (or Ramsey) if, for any function \(f\) on \(\mathbb N\), there is a set in \(\mathscr{U}\) on which the function is either constant or injective.)