On factorial states of operator algebras (Q788964)

A state \(\phi\) of a unital \(C^*\)-algebra A is said to be factorial if the GNS commutant \(\pi_{\phi}(A)'\) is a factor. The factorial state space of A is the \(weak^*\)-closure of the set of factorial states. This paper obtains results for the factorial state space which are analogous to results of \textit{J. Glimm} [Ann. Math., II. Ser. 72, 216-244 (1960; Zbl 0097.107); and 73, 572-612 (1961; Zbl 0152.330)], \textit{J. Tomiyama} and \textit{M. Takesaki} [Tôhoku Math. J., II. Ser. 13, 498-522 (1961; Zbl 0113.097)] for the pure state space. It is shown that A is prime (in the ring-theoretic sense) if and only if the factorial state space coincides with the state space. This supplements the author's earlier results [Proc. Lond. Math. Soc., II. Ser. 24, 669-680 (1972; Zbl 0234.46063)] that A is prime if and only if the self-adjoint part of A is an antilattice. The factorial state space of a von Neumann algebra is determined, and it is shown that if A acts on a Hilbert space then the factorial state space of the generated von Neumann algebra restricts precisely to the factorial state space of A. Further results and simplifications in this area have been obtaind jointly with \textit{C. J. K. Batty} [On factorial states of operator algebras II, III, preprints].