Haagerup property for \(C^\ast\)-algebras and rigidity of \(C^\ast\)-algebras with property (T) (Q2436878)

Recently, \textit{Z. Dong} [J. Math. Anal. Appl. 377, No. 2, 631--644 (2011; Zbl 1218.46031)] defined the Haagerup property for a pair \((A,\tau)\), where \(A\) is a unital \(C^*\)-algebra and \(\tau\) is a faithful tracial state on \(A\). Namely, \((A,\tau)\) has the Haagerup property if there is a net \((\phi_i)_{i\in I}\) of u.c.p. maps on \(A\) satisfying the following conditions: (1) For any positive element \(a\in A\), we have \(\tau(\phi_i(a))\leq\tau(a)\), i.e., each \(\phi_i\) decreases \(\tau\). (2) For any \(a\in A\), we have that \(\|\phi_i(a)-a\|_\tau\to 0\) as \(i\) tends to infinity. (3) Each \(\phi_i\) is \(L^2\)-compact, i.e., if one views \(\phi_i\) as a bounded operator on its GNS-space \(L^2(A,\tau)\), then one assumes that this operator is compact. The difference between the definition of Dong for tracial \(C^*\)-algebras and the Haagerup property for von Neumann algebras is that, in the latter case, one assumes the normality of the tracial state. One can then show that the Haagerup property for von Neumann algebras does not depend on the choice of the faithful normal tracial state. However, it is shown in this paper that in the case of \(C^*\)-algebras the definition depends on the choice of the tracial state. The paper contains a wealth of results. Let us mention just a few of them concerning permanence properties: (1) Let \((A,\tau)\) be a pair of a unital nuclear \(C^*\)-algebra and a faithful tracial state. Then \((A,\tau)\) has the Haagerup property. (2) Let \((A_i,\tau_i)_{i\in I}\) be a family of pairs with the Haagerup property. Then the spatial tensor product and the reduced free product with the associated tracial states have the Haagerup property. (3) Finally, if \(I\) is countable, then the direct product \((\Pi_{i\in I}A_i,\tau)\) is Haagerup for any tracial state of the form \(\tau=\sum_{i\in I}c_i\tau_i\) for positive \(c_i\)'s that sum to \(1\). The author uses the notion of Haagerup property to revisit a rigidity theorem due to \textit{A. G. Robertson} [Math. Ann. 296, No. 3, 547--555 (1993; Zbl 0787.22008)]; note that the references list the author as G. Robertson. Namely, let \(\Gamma\) be a group with property (T), \(A\) be a \(C^*\)-algebra with a faithful tracial state such that \((A,\tau)\) has the Haagerup property. Then any unitary representation of \(\Gamma\) on \(A\) is weakly equivalent to a direct sum of finite-dimensional representations. In particular, if \(\Gamma\) is a group with the infinite property (T), then there is no non-zero \(\ast\)-homomorphism from the reduced group \(C^*\)-algebra into \(A\). The author provides an example that this result is no longer true for a general non-Haagerup group. Finally, a rigidity property for a group without infinite property (T) subgroups is shown in the case of the affine groups of the affine planes. Furthermore, the paper also contains some results about groups and \(C^*\)-algebras with relative property (T).