\(C^\ast\)-stability of discrete groups (Q2196628)

A discrete group \(G\) is \textit{\(C^*\)-stable} if almost representations of \(G\) in a \(C^*\)-algebra are always close to actual representations. The paper initiates a systematic study of which groups are \(C^*\)-stable, or only stable with respect to some subclass of \(C^*\)-algebras, e.g., finite dimensional \(C^*\)-algebras. Criteria and invariants for stability of groups are provided, allowing to completely determine stability/non-stability of crystallographic groups, surface groups, virtually free groups, and certain Baumslag-Solitar groups. It is also shown that among the non-trivial finitely generated torsion-free 2-step nilpotent groups the only \(C^*\)-stable group is \(\mathbb Z\).