\(C^*\)-algebras by example (Q5906351)

This book proposes an original elegant way between the treaties on general operator algebra theory and on \(K\)-theory, developing the aspects of the both to the extent needed for a self-contained study of examples, i. e. various important classes of algebras which penetrated the literature on \(C^*\)-algebras during the last two decades and more. Intended as a graduate-level introduction to some modern tools of investigating \(C^*\)-algebras, the monograph offers a nice opportunity to learn the practical use of these methods and notions. The book consists of a preface, 9 chapters supplemented with exercises and concise notes and remarks, and 85 references. It opens with a tribute to the inspiring work by L. G. Brown, R. G. Douglas and P. A. Fillmore on extensions of \(C^*\)-algebras, who in the 1970ies introduced the topological (homological algebra) methods into \(C^*\)-theory, to the fine classification of AF \(C^*\)-algebras, using \(K\)-theory, by G. A. Elliott and to the subsequent emergence of \(KK\)-theory. Note, that Ch. 1 ``The basics of \(C^*\)-algebras'' includes information on von Neumann algebras and compact \(H\)-space operators algebras. Ch. 2 ``Normal operators and abelian \(C^*\)-algebras'' contains the spectral theorem and multiplicity theory, the Weyl-von Neumann-Berg theorem and its generalization to arbitrary separable \(C^*\)-algebras by D. V. Voiculescu; the notion of approximate unitary equivalence of representations is introduced. Ch. 3 ``AF \(C^*\)-algebras'' covers UHF, CAR and Heisenberg algebras and AF extensions. Ch. 4 ``\(K\)-theory for AF \(C^*\)-algebras'' culminates with the Effros-Hanfelman-Shen theorem and Blackadar's example of a projectionless \(C^*\)-algebra. Ch. 5 ``\(C^*\)-algebras of isometries'' considers the Toeplitz algebra, Bunce-Deddens and Cuntz algebras, limit circle algebras and uses the notion of real rank zero. Ch. 6 ``Irrational rotation algebra'' discusses the Pimsner-Voiculescu embedding into the AF algebra and Berg's technique of approximating shifts. Ch. 7 ``Group \(C^*\)-algebras'' treats the \(C^*\)-algebra of the free group \(F_2\) (and the reduced algebra) and those of the crystallographic and discrete Heisenberg group; the notion of quasidiagonality appears here. Ch. 8 ``Discrete crossed products'' upon preliminaries from ergodic theory, e.g., on minimal dynamical systems, tackles the calculation of \(K_0\) and \(K_1\) groups for a \(C^*\)-crossed product by \(\mathbb Z\), based on the exact 6-term Pimsner-Voiculescu sequence; AF subalgebras of crossed products are also considered and the notion of topological stable rank is employed. Ch. 9 ``The Brown-Douglas-Fillmore theory'' provides its commutative case version with modifications due to the general case. On some other occasions (say, the classification of Cuntz algebras and irrational rotation algebras only within their narrow contexts, the \(K\)-theoretical results in Ch. 8) the material is also abridged to simplify the technique and remain within reasonable size. The presentation is simultaneously very accurate, clear and vivid. Undoubtedly, the book is very useful and should be recommended to everybody interested in the \(C^*\)-algebras theory and its numerous fields of applications.