Solution of the factorial Stone-Weierstrass conjecture. An application of the theory of standard split \(W^*\)-inclusions (Q793296)

The main result in this paper is the positive solution of a long-standing problem in operator algebras, namely the existence, in any factor M with separable predual, of an approximately finite dimensional subfactor R with trivial relative commutant in M, i.e. \(R'\wedge M={\mathbb{C}}1.\) This result, which is closely related to some of the R. V. Kadison's Baton Rouge problems has been obtained by S. Popa in case M is a II- factor, while the author deals with infinite factors. The relevance of this result is better understood by its major implications, which have been recognized through the years (and need the result only for infinite factors). The positive solution of two classical problems in \(C^*\)-algebra theory follows indeed. The first application shows that, given two \(C^*\)-algebras \(A\subset B\) with A separable any factor state \(\phi\) of A extends to a factor state of B. Indeed an old argument of S. Sakai proved the result if A is nuclear or, more generally, if \(\pi_{\phi}(A)'\) contains an injective subfactor with trivial relative commutant. The second implication is the positive solution of the Stone-Weierstrass conjecture for factor states, namely if \(A\subset B\) are separable \(C^*\)-algebras and A separates the factor states of B, then \(A=B\). Indeed Anderson and Bunce have shown that this follows by the result we are now proving. As a further consequence every factor with separable predual carries an ergodic action of a separable amenable group by inner automorphisms. The original motivation and the techniques for this paper come from more general structure problems which arise in the theory of standard and split \(W^*\)-inclusions that has been developed in a previous paper by \textit{S. Doplicher} and the author [ibid. 75, 493-536 (1984)].