\(C^*\)-algebras by example (Q5917826)

The book is devoted to different aspects of the theory of \(C^*\)-algebras and occupies a special place among numerous textbooks and monographs as in the subject chosen by the author so also in the method of presentation of the material. In essence it can serve as a practical introduction or guidebook uncovering the sense and meaning of basic ideas and constructions of the theory, including such directions as extensions of \(C^*\)-algebras and \(K\)-theory of \(C^*\)-algebras. Chapter 1, ``The basics of \(C^*\)-algebras'', presents a short introduction into the general theory; it contains basic definitions including the density theorems, theorems about representation of \(C^*\)-algebras and the description of \(C^*\)-algebras of compact operators. Chapter 2, ``Normal operators and Abelian \(C^*\)-algebras'', presents \(L_\infty\) functional calculus and multiplicity theory, and fundamental theorems by Weyl-von Neumann-Berg and Voiculescu. Chapter 3, ``AF \(C^*\)-algebras'', makes a detailed study of a special class of \(C^*\)-algebras which are built up in a natural way from finite-dimensional algebras; this class of almost finite-dimensional algebras has numerous interesting examples and at the same time it admits a complete classification which is represented in the next chapter, ``\(K\)-theory for AF \(C^*\)-algebras''. Chapters 5-7, ``\(C^*\)-algebras of isometries'', ``Irrational Rotation Algebras'', and ``Group \(C^*\)-algebras'', are devoted to the most important examples of \(C^*\)-algebras, in particular, Bunce-Deddens algebras, Cuntz algebras, \(C^*\)-algebras connected with groups and semigroups of operators (for example, with the crystallographic groups, the discrete Heisenberg group, the free groups). Chapter 8, ``Discrete crossed products'', deals with the systematic study of groups acting on \(C^*\)-algebras as automorphisms. The last chapter ``Brown-Douglas-Fillmore theory'', is devoted to the extension theory of \(C^*\)-algebras; the basic object of this chapter is the functor Ext from compact metric spaces into Abelian groups with homology theory properties; analysis of this functor leads to the classification of essentially compact operators in a Hilbert space. Each chapter contains numerous interesting exercises. The author writes that this book is ``not intended as a systematical study of the general theory of \(C^*\)-algebras nor of \(K\)-theory''. However, to the reviewer's mind, this book can be recommended as a good introduction in the theory of \(C^*\)-theory for all who are not yet under the charm of this remarkable theory as well as for specialists in the field as a collection of useful and carefully selected tools and methods. At last this book is useful for numerous lectures as a textbook for special courses concerning with different aspects of \(C^*\)-algebras.