Cohn path algebras of higher-rank graphs (Q513776)

Cohn path algebras of higher-rank graphs are introduced in this work. For a row-finite higher-rank graph with no sources \(\Gamma\), and a commutative ring \(R\), the authors define the notion of a Cohn \(\Gamma\)-family and show that there exists a universal Cohn path algebra \(C_R(\Lambda)\). Then, it is proved that for any higher-rank graph \(\Lambda\) there exists a higher-rank graph \(T\Lambda\) such that the Cohn path algebra of \(\Lambda\) is isomorphic to the Kumijian-Pask algebra of \(T\Lambda\). By using this device and taking into account some properties of Kumijian-Pask algebras, they obtain some interesting properties of Cohn path algebras. For instance it is shown that any Cohn path algebra is \(\mathbb Z^k\)-graded (where \(k\) is the exponent coming from the degree map \(d:\Lambda\to\mathbb N^k\) of the higher-rank graph). Also, by using the Cuntz-Krieger uniqueness theorem for Kumijian-Pask algebras, they prove a uniqueness theorem for Cohn path algebras. As pointed out by the authors, this uniqueness theorem can be seen as an algebraic analogue of the uniqueness theorem for Toeplitz algebras given by \textit{I. Raeburn} and \textit{A. Sims} [J. Oper. Theory 53, No. 2, 399--429 (2005; Zbl 1093.46032)]. However, the proof of the present version is considerably shorter and works on any commutative ring of scalars not necessarily a field. Furthermore, by translating this result to an \(C^*\)-setting, they provide an alternative proof of the uniqueness theorem for Toeplitz algebras. The paper under review contains also an explicit demonstration of the relationship between Cohn path algebras and Toeplitz algebras, and proves that Cohn algebras can be studied as Steinberg algebras.