Actions of semigroups on directed graphs and their \(C^*\)-algebras (Q5939824)

The space of paths in a directed graph \(E\) can be modelled by systems of partial isometries \(S_e\) on a Hilbert space so that these isometries form the Cuntz-Krieger system \(\{S_e\}\). The graph algebra \(C^*(E)\) is the universal \(C^*\)-algebra generated by a Cuntz-Krieger system. Every action \(\alpha\) of a group \(G\) on \(E\) induces an action \(\alpha_*\) of \(G\) on \(C^*(E)\). A recent theorem of Kumjian and Pask asserts that if \(\alpha\) is free, then the crossed product \(C^*(E)\times_{\alpha_*}G\) is stably isomorphic to the \(C^*\)-algebra \(C^*(E/G)\) of the quotient graph. The object of the paper is to prove Theorem. Suppose \(S\) is an Ore semigroup and \(\alpha: S\to \text{End }E\) is a free action of \(S\) on a row-finite directed graph for which there is a fundamental domain. Then \(C^*(E)\times_{\alpha_*}S\) is stably isomorphic to \(C^*(E/S)\). The proof uses a variety of results in graph theory, dilation theory and graph \(C^*\)-algebras. Some of these results are of independent interest.