Realizations of AF-algebras as graph algebras, Exel-Laca algebras, and ultragraph algebras (Q837069)

The problem explored in this paper is to determine which AF algebras are contained in each of the three classes of graph \(C^*\)-algebras, Exel-Laca algebras and ultragraph \(C^*\)-algebras. AF algebras were introduced by \textit{O.\,Bratteli} [``Inductive limits of finite dimensional C\(^*\)-algebras'', Trans.\ Am.\ Math.\ Soc.\ 171, 195--234 (1972; Zbl 0264.46057)], graph \(C^*\)-algebras by \textit{A.\,Kumjian}, \textit{D.\,Pask} and \textit{I.\,Raeburn} [``Cuntz-Krieger algebras of directed graphs'', Pac.\ J.\ Math.\ 184, No.\,1, 161--174 (1998;Zbl 0917.46056 )] and \textit{A.\,Kumjian}, \textit{D.\,Pask}, \textit{I.\,Raeburn} and \textit{J.\,Renault} [``Graphs, groupoids, and Cuntz-Krieger algebras'', J.~Funct.\ Anal.\ 144, No.\,2, 505--541 (1997; Zbl 0929.46055)], Exel-Laca algebras by \textit{R.\,Exel} and \textit{M.\,Laca} in [``Cuntz-Krieger algebras for infinite matrices'', J.~Reine.\ Angew.\ Math.\ 512, 119--172 (1999; Zbl 0932.47053)], and ultragraph \(C^*\)-algebras were introduced by \textit{M.\,Tomforde} [``A unified approach to Exel-Laca algebras and \(C^*\)-algebras associated to graphs'' J.~Oper.\ Theory 50, No.\,2, 345--368 (2003; Zbl 1061.46048)]. The authors identify a number of sufficient conditions which solve the problem. Their approach is constructive: briefly, to any Bratteli diagram of an AF algebra \(A\) with no nonzero finite-dimensional quotients, the authors construct an ultragraph \(\mathcal{G}\) whose associated \(C^*\)-algebra \(C^*(\mathcal{G})\) is isomorphic to \(A\) (Theorem 4.5). It turns out that this \(C^*(\mathcal{G})\) is also an Exel-Laca algebra. When additional conditions are satisfied, this \(C^*(\mathcal{G})\) is isomorphic to a graph \(C^*\)-algebra of a row-finite graph with no sinks. The main results are as follows. An AF algebra \(A\) is isomorphic to the \(C^*\)-algebra of a row-finite graph with no sinks if and only if \(A\) admits no nonzero unital quotients (Theorem 4.7). Any stable AF algebra is isomorphic to the \(C^*\)-algebra of a row-finite graph with no sinks (Corollary 4.8). Simple AF algebras are either isomorphic to an Exel-Laca algebra (if they are infinite-dimensional) or to a graph \(C^*\)-algebra (if finite-dimensional), cf.\ Theorem 4.22. An AF algebra with no nonzero finite-dimensional quotient is always isomorphic to an Exel-Laca algebra. A discussion of partitioning simple AF algebras according to their being finite or not, and unital or not, is given in Section 5, and the results of the paper are placed in this context. For general AF algebras, a Venn diagram is presented illustrating the position of the three classes of \(C^*\)-algebras considered, and examples are provided.