Classification of regular subalgebras of the hyperfinite II\(_1\) factor (Q781650)

The present articles achieves three aims. First it classifies regular subalgebras of the amenable II\(_1\) factor \(B \subset R\) that satisfy the freeness condition \(B' \cap R = \mathcal{Z}(B)\) in terms of an associated discrete measurable groupoid. Second, in order to obtain this result, it proves a cocycle vanishing theorem for free actions of amenable discrete measured groupoids on II\(_1\) von Neumann algebras. Third, to illustrate the complexity of the resulting classification, the authors obtain results on the model-theoretic complexity of classifying amenable discrete measured groupoids. It is known by work of \textit{A. Connes} et al. [Ergodic Theory Dyn. Syst. 1, 431--450 (1981; Zbl 0491.28018)] that the amenable II\(_1\) factor \(R\) has a unique Cartan subalgebra up to isomorphism, that is, a regular von Neumann subalgebra \(A \subset R\) such that \(A' \cap R = A\). This is essentially a uniqueness theorem for the amenable ergodic II\(_1\) equivalence relation combined with a cocyle vanishing theorem. Indeed, \textit{J. Feldman} and \textit{C. C. Moore} [Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 234, 289--324 (1977; Zbl 0369.22009); ibid. 234, 325--359 (1977; Zbl 0369.22010)] proved that \(A \subset R\) is isomorphic to \(\mathrm{L}^\infty(X) \subset \mathrm{L}(\mathcal{R}, \sigma)\) for a II\(_1\) equivalence relation \(\mathcal{R}\) twisted by a 2-cocycle \(\sigma\). The starting point of the present classification result is an analogue description of regular inclusions \(B \subset R\) satisfying \(B' \cap R = \mathcal{Z}(B)\) as a twisted crossed product of an amenable discrete measured groupoid acting freely on \(B\). The cocycle vanishing result used to conclude the authors' description of such inclusions subsumes many previously known results in the framework of groups and equivalence relations, and at the same time uses those in its proof. The article is clearly structured and well written. In particular, it addresses the problem context in a concise way.