Infinitely generated Hecke algebras with infinite presentation (Q829537)

Let \(G\) be a locally compact group and \(K\leq G\) be a compact subgroup. Denote by \(C_c(G, K)\) the space of continuous, compactly supported complex-valued functions \(\phi:G\to\mathbb C\) that are \(K\)-bi-invariant, i.e., functions that satisfy the equality \(\phi(kgk') = \phi(g)\) for every \(g\in G\) and all \(k, k'\in K\). The \(\mathbb C\)-vector space \(C_c(G, K)\) is a convolution algebra that is called the \textit{Hecke algebra} corresponding to \(K\leq G\). It is said that \((G, K)\) forms a Gelfand pair if the convolution algebra \(C_c(G, K)\) is commutative. On the other hand, there are many examples of totally disconnected locally compact groups whose Hecke algebras with respect to a maximal compact subgroups are not commutative. One of those is the universal group \(U(F)^+\), when \(F\) is primitive but not \(2\)-transitive. In general, the Hecke algebras are very useful tools to study the representation theory of locally compact groups. In this article, the author looks at Hecke algebras associated to the universal group \(U(F)^+\). The main result establishes that when \(F\) is primitive but not \(2\)-transitive, then the Hecke algebra with respect to a maximal compact subgroup \(K\) is infinitely generated and infinitely presented. This may be relevant for constructing irreducible unitary representations of \(U(F)^+\) whose subspace of \(K\)-fixed vectors has dimension at least two. On the contrary, when \(F\) is \(2\)-transitive the Hecke algebra of \(U(F)^+\) is commutative, finitely generated admitting a single generator.