Idempotent matrices over complex group algebras. (Q816828)

The study of idempotent elements in the group algebras originates from geometric and analytic considerations. So arise the idempotent conjectures about the non-trivial idempotents and the traces of the idempotents. This book provides an introduction to the study of these problems for graduate students and researchers who are not necessarily experts in these fields. The aim of the author is to show the unified character of the conjectures mentioned and to present the basic elements of this area of research that has close relationships with deep geometric problems. At the same time this book collects and presents in a systematic way basic techniques and important results that have been obtained during the past few decades. The book contains few chapters. In the first chapter the author fixes the main notations, formulates the Bass and the idempotent conjectures and gives series of examples of groups satisfying the idempotent conjecture. In Chapter 2 are presented examples of groups that satisfy the Bass conjecture. The author puts the conjecture in a geometric perspective and establishes the equivalence between the Bass conjecture for finite groups and Swan's theorem on integral representations. In Chapter 3 are studied idempotent matrices with entries in complex group algebras by reduction to positive characteristic. So the author proves two theorems of Bass and Linnell describing some properties of the idempotent matrices. In Chapter 4 is used another method of homological nature that may be used in the study of the idempotent conjectures. Hence we obtain new examples of groups that satisfy the idempotent conjecture. In the last chapter are studied idempotent matrices with entries in the reduced group \(C^*\)-algebra of a discrete group and it is proved the integrality of the canonical trace in the case of Abelian and torsion free groups. The author constructs the center-valued trace on the von Neumann algebra of a group and studies its importance in K-theory. The book is suitable for independent study, but to facilitate the reader, the five Appendices at the end of the book summarize the results from Algebra, Number Theory and Analysis that are needed in the main text. Moreover, all chapters and appendices finish with a sufficient number of exercises that also increase the quality of the book.