Spectral properties of Markov semigroups in von Neumann algebras (Q2627925)

The authors investigate spectral properties of Markov semigroups acting on the predual of a von Neumann algebra, and their dual semigroups which consist of the maps adjoint to those in the Markov semigroup. The paper under review contains results concerning various properties of the spectral subspaces, and relations between the spectra of the Markov semigroup and its dual semigroup. The methods are based on the extensive use of ergodic and quasi-ergodic projections. This approach allows to avoid the common assumption of complete positivity of the dual semigroup as well as the assumption of continuity of the action of the semigroup and allows to consider an arbitrary abelian (non-topological) semigroup. As a result, the authors are able to obtain generalizations of the results proved by the second author (see [J. Math. Anal. Appl. 221, No. 1, 13--32 (1998; Zbl 0907.46061)]) and [\textit{R. Nagel} (ed.), One-parameter semigroups of positive operators. Berlin etc.: Springer-Verlag (1986; Zbl 0585.47030)].