The non-commutative flow of weights on a von Neumann algebra (Q5937220)

Let \(M\) be a von Neumann algebra, \(M_0(M)\) the set of faithful, normal and semifinite weights on \(M\). For \(x\in M\), \(\varphi\in M_0(M)\), \(t\in R\), indexed pairs \((x,\varphi)_t\) are considered. An equivalence for such pairs is defined. The set of all equivalence classes with introduced linear structure and norm becomes a Banach space denoted by \(M(t)\). A Fell's bundle \(F:= \coprod_{t\in R} M(t)\) (with introduced multiplication and conjugation) is constructed. The space \(\Gamma^1(F)\) of integrable \(F\)-sections becomes an involutive Banach algebra, denoted by \(A\). Let \(N\) be the opposite von Neumann algebra, \(N= (M')^0\) (\(M'\) is the commutant of \(M\)), The Hilbert space \(H\), where \(M\) acts, can be considered as \(M-N\) bimodule. Set \(X= R\times M_0(M)\times M\times M_0(N)\). After fixing \(t\in R\), for elements from \(X\) an equivalence relation \(\sim_t\) is introduced. The quotient set \(X/\sim_t\) is denoted \(H(t)\). Set \(\Sigma= \coprod_{t\in R} H(t)\). Let \(\overline H= \Gamma^2(\Sigma)\) be the Hilbert space of square integrable cross-sections of \(\Sigma\). \(\overline M\) is the von Neumann algebra constructed out \(A\). It acts on \(\overline H\). It is shown that the association \((M,H)\to (\overline M,\overline H)\) is a functor from the category of von Neumann algebras with spatial isomorphism as morphisms into the category of semifinite von Neumann algebras with spatial isomorphisms as morphisms. To every von Neumann algebra \(M\) there corresponds canonically a covariant system \((\overline M,R,\theta,\tau)\) of a semifinite von Neumann algebra \(\overline M\) equipped with a faithful semifinite normal trace \(\tau\) scaling one parameter automorphism group \(\theta\), that is called the noncommutative flow of weights on \(M\). The noncommutative flow of weights is also a canonical functor. The construction of the functor ties together the theory of noncommutative \(L^p\)-spaces to the structure theory of a factor of type III. Applications of results of the paper are considered.