Naturality and induced representations (Q4498178)

The authors develop a categorical approach to induction and Green's Imprimitivity Theorem. In order to do so, the authors define two categories. In the first category \({\mathcal C}\) the objects are \(C^*\)-algebras and the morphisms between \(C^*\)-algebras \(A\) and \(B\) are (isomorphism classes of) Hilbert \(A-B\)-bimodules. A Hilbert \(A-B\)-bimodule \(X\) is a right Hilbert \(B\)-module on which \(A\) acts non-degenerately by adjointable operators. Composition of morphisms is given by the internal tensor product of Hilbert modules. The invertible morphisms are proven to be exactly the imprimitivity bimodules. A second category \({\mathcal A}(G)\) is defined for any locally compact group \(G\). The objects in this category are dynamical systems \((A,\alpha)\), with the fixed group \(G\) in action. Morphisms from \((A,\alpha)\) to \((B,\beta)\) are Hilbert \(A-B\)-bimodules \(X\) equipped with a compatible action of \(G\) by transformations of \(X\). Next, the universal crossed product defines a functor from \({\mathcal A}(G)\) to \({\mathcal C}\), by sending a morphism \(X\) to the crossed product bimodule. Suppose now that \(H\) is a closed subgroup of \(G\). \textit{Ph. Green} developed in [Acta Math. 140, 191-250 (1978; Zbl 0407.46053)] an abstract induction procedure through Hilbert bimodules. The authors prove in their main result that this induction procedure gives a natural transformation (in the categorical sense) between the associated functors from \({\mathcal A}(H)\) to \({\mathcal C}\) and from \({\mathcal A}(G)\) to \({\mathcal C}\).