Rank-preserving module maps (Q2427742)

Suppose \(H\) is a separable infinite dimensional Hilbert space and \(A\) ia a commutative unital \(C^*\)-algebra. Consider the Hilbert \(A\)-module \(H_A=A\otimes H\). For each \(x, y\in A\otimes H\) we define \(\theta_{x,y}\) on \(A\otimes H\) by \(\theta_{x,y}(z)=\langle z,y\rangle x\) and denote \(span_A \theta_{x,y}\) by \(\mathcal {F}(H_A)\). In the spirit of \textit{G.--M.\,An} and \textit{J.--C.\,Hou} [Linear Algebra Appl.\ 342, No.\,1--3, 59--78 (2002; Zbl 1038.47028)], the author introduces the concept of rank one preserving \(A\)-linear module operator, namely, the module map \(\Phi:\mathcal{F}(H_A)\to \mathcal{F}(H_A)\) which maps \(\theta_{x,y}\) to some \(\theta_{s,t}\), and investigates some properties of this operator. The author also states some applications on free probability theory, see [\textit{R.\,Speicher}\, Mem.\ Am.\ Math.\ Soc.\ 627 (1998; Zbl 0935.46056)].