From rational homotopy to K-theory for continuous trace algebras

Abstract: Let

A

be a unital

C^{*}

-algebra. Its unitary group,

U A

, contains a wealth of topological information about

A

. However, the homotopy type of

U A

is out of reach even for

A = M_{2} (C C)

. There are two simplifications which have been considered. The first, well-traveled road, is to pass to

p i_{*} (U (A o t i m e s K K))

which is isomorphic (with a degree shift) to

K_{*} (A)

. This approach has led to spectacular success in many arenas, as is well-known. A different approach is to consider

p i_{*} (U A) o t i m e s Q Q

, the rational homotopy of

U A

. In joint work with G. Lupton and N. C. Phillips we have calculated this functor for the cases

A = C (X) o t i m e s M_{n} (C C)

and

A

a unital continuous trace

C^{*}

-algebra. In this note we look at some concrete examples of this calculation and, in particular, at the

-graded map [ pi _*(UA)otimesQQ longrightarrow K_{*+1}(A)otimesQQ . ]

Recommendations

Cited In (3)

This page was built for publication: From rational homotopy to \(K\)-theory for continuous trace algebras