Dimension theory of arbitrary modules over finite von Neumann algebras and applications to L²-Betti numbers

arXivdg-ga/9707011MaRDI QIDQ6467063FDOQ6467063

Authors: Wolfgang Lück 

Publication date: 10 July 1997

Abstract: We define for arbitrary modules over a finite von Neumann algebra $cala$ a dimension taking values in $[0,infty]$ which extends the classical notion of von Neumann dimension for finitely generated projective $cala$-modules and inherits all its useful properties such as additivity, cofinality and continuity. This allows to define $L^2$-Betti numbers for arbitrary topological spaces with an action of a discrete group $Gamma$ extending the well-known definition for regular coverings of compact manifolds. We show for an amenable group $Gamma$ that the $p$-th $L^2$-Betti number depends only on the $ccGamma$-module given by the $p$-th singular homology. Using the generalized dimension function we detect elements in $G_0(ccGamma)$, provided that $Gamma$ is amenable. We investigate the class of groups for which the zero-th and first $L^2$-Betti numbers resp. all $L^2$-Betti numbers vanish. We study $L^2$-Euler characteristics and introduce for a discrete group $Gamma$ its Burnside group extending the classical notions of Burnside ring and Burnside ring congruences for finite $Gamma$. Keywords: Dimension functions for finite von Neumann algebras, $L^2$-Betti numbers, amenable groups, Grothendieck groups, Burnside groups

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Spectral sequences in algebraic topology (55T99) Selfadjoint operator algebras ((C^*)-algebras, von Neumann ((W^*)-) algebras, etc.) (46L99)

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