Trees, ultrametrics, and noncommutative geometry (Q429571)

A ultrametric space \(X\) is a metric space with the distance function satisfying the inequality \(d(x,y)\leq \max \{d(x,z), d(z,y)\}\) for all \(x,y,z\in X\); such spaces are ubiquitous in geometry, topology and analysis. One can fruitfully think of \(X\) as the space of ends of an infinite metric tree (the distance \(d\) comes from the metric on the tree); in fact, this correspondence is a functor, see [\textit{B.Hughes}, Adv. Math. 189, No. 1, 148--191 (2004; Zbl 1061.57021)]. A local isometry of \(X\) is a homeomorphism \(h: X\to X\) such that for every \(x\in X\) there exists \(\varepsilon>0\) so that \(h\) restricts to an isometry \(B(x,\varepsilon)\to B(hx,\varepsilon)\) between the balls of radius \(\varepsilon\). A local similarity of \(X\) is a homeomorphism \(h: X\to X\) such that there exist \(\varepsilon>0\) and \(\lambda>0\) so that \(h\) restricts to a \(\lambda\)-similarity \(B(x,\varepsilon)\to B(hx, \lambda\varepsilon)\). The classification of ultrametric spaces up to local isometries and local similarities is a difficult open problem of ultrametric geometry. The author of the paper proposes an innovative approach to the classification problem of ultrametric spaces based on the ideas and methods of operator algebras; the paper consists of two (more or less) independent parts. Part I. Recall that an AF \(C^*\)-algebra is the inductive limit of an infinite sequence of finite-dimensional \(C^*\)-algebras; such algebras can be defined in terms of the so-called Bratteli diagrams, see [\textit{O. Bratteli}, Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 171, 195--234 (1972; Zbl 0264.46057)]. Given an ultrametric space \(X\), one can attach to \(X\) a Bratteli diagram \(B(X)\), which is constructed from the metric tree associated to \(X\); the Bratteli diagram yields a unital AF \(C^*\)-algebra (defined up to an isomorphism). On the other hand, the local isometries of \(X\) generate a topological groupoid \({\mathcal G}_{LI}(X)\) and hence a groupoid \(C^*\)-algebra \(C^*{\mathcal G}_{LI}(X)\) via the standard construction of [\textit{J. Renault}, A groupoid approach to \(C^*\)-algebras. Lect. Notes Math. 793. Berlin etc.: Springer (1980; Zbl 0433.46049)]. The first main result of the paper assets that the AF \(C^*\)-algebra given by \(B(X)\) and \(C^*{\mathcal G}_{LI}(X)\) are isomorphic and their \(K\)-theory gives a new topological invariant of the ultrametric space \(X\) called the symmetry of infinity group \(Sym_{\infty}(T,v)\), where \((T,v)\) is the \(v\)-rooted metric tree \(T\). The second result of the first part of the paper says that the \(C^*{\mathcal G}_{LI}(X)\) is an invariant of the local similarity class of \(X\). Part II. Recall that Thompson's group \(V\) is a subgroup of the group of local similarities of the end space of the Cantor tree (i.e. the tree attached to the ultrametric space of Cantor type); J. Renault (op. cit.) proved that \(C^*{\mathcal G}_{LI}(X)\) in this case is isomorphic to the Cuntz algebra \({\mathcal O}_2\), see [\textit{J. Cuntz}, Ann. Math. (2) 113, 181--197 (1981; Zbl 0437.46060)]. One of the main results of second part of the paper is a generalization of Renault's work; it says that if \(X\) is a compact ultrametric space and \(\Gamma\) a countable group acting locally rigidly on \(X\) by local similarities, then there exists a faithful unitary representation of \(\Gamma\) into \(C^*{\mathcal G}_{LI}(X)\). The paper is a solid account of a new research area, which can be called a non-commutative ultrametric geometry; it is sobering to learn that there exist successful applications of the operator algebras to the problems of topology, which lie outside the Index Theory. The paper is accompanied with the compelling set of concrete examples complemented by pictures of the Bratteli diagram; it is must reading for graduate students and researchers in the area of noncommutative geometry and geometric group theory.