Local derivations on operator algebras (Q1908167)

A local derivation is a norm continuous linear map \(\delta\) from one Banach algebra \(A\) into an \(A\)-bimodule \(B\) which agrees with some derivation at each point of the algebra. The fundamental question here is under what conditions a local derivation is a derivation. \textit{R. V. Kadison} [J. Algebra 130, No. 2, 494-509 (1990; Zbl 0751.46041)] proved that this is true when \(A\) is a von Neumann algebra and \(B\) is a dual normal \(A\)-bimodule. The present author proves a similar result for other Banach algebras. His main theorem says that a local derivation \(\delta: A\to B\) is a derivation, if \(A\), \(B\) are approximately finite (AF) Banach algebras and \(B\) is the direct limit of finite-dimensional CSL algebras via *-extendable embeddings. It is shown further that for many finite-dimensional operator algebras, any inner local derivation must be an inner derivation.