\(C^*\)-simple groups without free subgroups (Q473150)

Summary: We construct first examples of non-trivial groups without non-cyclic free subgroups whose reduced \(C^*\)-algebra is simple and has unique trace. This answers a question of de la Harpe. Both torsion and torsion free examples are provided. In particular, we show that the reduced \(C^*\)-algebra of the free Burnside group \(B(m, n)\) of rank \(m \geq 2\) and any sufficiently large odd exponent \(n\) is simple and has unique trace.