The algebra of harmonic functions for a matrix-valued transfer operator (Q2461256)

Let \(G\) be a discrete group acting co-compactly, isometrically, and properly discontinuously on a locally compact metric space \(\tilde X\). Suppose that \(\xi:\tilde X \to X=\tilde X/G\) is a Lipschitz continuous finite-dimensional complex vector bundle over \(X\) with a Hermitian metric. A matrix-valued transfer operator \(R\) associated to \(\xi\) is defined. In this paper, it is shown that the continuous harmonic functions \(h\in\text{End}(\xi)\), i.e., those \(h\) such that \(Rh=h\), form a finite-dimensional \(C^*\)-algebra with the usual addition and multiplication (Theorem~4.2). The authors also define the refinement operator \(M\) on \(\tilde X\) and establish a relation between \(M\) and \(R\) (Theorem~5.5).