Representation theory for subfactors, \(\lambda\)-lattices and \(C^\ast\)-tensor categories (Q748464)

The standard invariant of a subfactor \(N \subset M\) of a type \(\mathrm{II}_1\) factor \(M\) of finite index \(\lambda\) is the lattice of finite-dimensional \(C^\ast\)-algebras of relative commutants in the Jones tower of factors \(N \subset M \subset M_1 \subset M_2 \subset \cdots\), together with their inherited traces and representations [\textit{V. F. R. Jones}, Invent. Math. 72, 1--25 (1983; Zbl 0508.46040)]. This object carries very rich and subtle information about the subfactor, and can encode many other mathematical structures, such as quantum groups, compact Lie groups, and rigid \(C^\ast\)-tensor categories. It generalizes to a so-called \(\lambda\)-lattice: a partially ordered set of finite-dimensional \(C^\ast\)-algebras endowed with trace and representation of the Jones projections that satisfy certain properties, and any \(\lambda\)-lattice is the standard invariant of some subfactor [\textit{S. Popa}, Invent. Math. 120, No. 3, 427--445 (1995; Zbl 0831.46069)]; in fact, there is a minimal \(\lambda\)-lattice, the Temperley-Lieb-Jones \(\lambda\)-lattice, that is contained in any other \(\lambda\)-lattice. This article develops unitary representation theory for \(\lambda\)-lattices, and hence for rigid \(C^\ast\)-tensor categories \(C\); the theory actually finds its natural home in the latter. The authors define admissible representations of the fusion \(*\)-algebra \(\mathbb{C}[C]\), the universal \(C^\ast\)-algebra \(C_u(C)\), as well as Property (T), the Haagerup property, and the complete metric approximation property for rigid \(C^\ast\)-tensor categories \(C\), in a backward-compatible way. The representation theory of the rigid \(C^\ast\)-tensor category of finite-dimensional Hilbert spaces graded over a discrete group coincides with that of the group, and the universal \(C^\ast\)-algebra is the full group \(C^\ast\)-algebra of the group. The representations of the category of representation of a compact quantum group coincide with the central representations of the discrete dual of the group, the universal \(C^\ast\)-algebra is a corner of the full \(C^\ast\)-algebra of the double of the group, and Property (T) and the Haagerup property for the category are equivalent to their central counterparts for the dual of the group. Finally, the representations of the bimodule category of a subfactor correspond to representations of the symmetric enveloping inclusion of its quantum double, and Property (T) and the Haagerup properties of the category are equivalent to those of the standard invariant \(\lambda\)-lattice. Three main applications of the unifying approach of tensor \(C^\ast\)-categories are proved that bridge the gap between subfactors and quantum groups. First, the representation theory of the Temperley-Lieb-Jones \(\lambda\)-lattice is equivalent with that of the \(C^\ast\)-algebra \(C[0,\lambda^{-1}]\) for \(\lambda^{-1} \geq 4\). Second, these \(\lambda\)-lattices have the Haagerup property and the complete metric approximation property; these are the subfactors with these properties that are not built from groups with these property. Third, if a subfactor has bimodule category \(\mathrm{Rep}(SU_q(n))\) or \(\mathrm{Rep}(PSU_q(n))\) with \(n\geq 3\) odd, then its standard invariant has Property (T); this is the first subfactor with property (T) standard invariant that is not built from Property (T) groups. Several other results on permanence under various constructions of approximation properties are given, as well as several characterizations of Property (T).