Strongly stable factors, crossed products and property \(\Gamma\) (Q809324)

Let \(M\) denote a von Neumann algebra which is a factor of type \(II_ 1\). Recall that \(M\) is said to be McDuff, or strongly stable, if \(M\cong M\otimes R\), where \(R\) is the hyperfinite \(II_ 1\) factor. In the first part of the paper under review, the author studies the relationships between strong stability and the operations of taking crossed product or tensor product. The analysis uses deep results of \textit{A. Connes} [J. Funct. Anal. 16, 415--445 (1974; Zbl 0302.46050); Ann. Math., II. Ser. 104, No.~1, 73--115 (1976; Zbl 0343.46042)] and \textit{A. Ocneanu} [Actions of discrete amenable groups on von Neumann algebras, Lect. Notes Math. 1138. Berlin etc.: Springer-Verlag (1985; Zbl 0608.46035)], and is analogous in some respects to work by \textit{M. Choda} [e.g., Math. Jap. 27, No.~4, 535--539 (1982; Zbl 0495.46045); Proc. Am. Math. Soc. 86, No.~4, 663--666 (1982; Zbl 0537.46052)] and Choda together with \textit{Y. Watatani} [Math. Jap. 27, No.~2, 263--266 (1982; Zbl 0486.46048)] concerning fullness. Let \(G\) be a countable discrete group acting on \(M\). The author proves that strong stability of \(M\) is sufficient for that of the crossed product \(M\times G\) when \(G\) is amengable and the action is free, while it is necessary when \(G\) is not inner amenable. On the other hand, if \(G\) is not inner amenable and acts freely and ergodically on the nonatomic probability space (\(X,\mu\)), preserving \(\mu\), then \(L^{\infty}(X)\times G\) is not McDuff. Strong stability of \(M\) is also necessary for that of \(M\otimes N\) when \(N\) is a \(II_ 1\) factor with property T in the sense of \textit{A. Connes} and \textit{V. Jones} [Bull. London Math. Soc. 17, 57--62 (1985; Zbl 1190.46047)]. In the second part of the paper, the author strengthens a characterization, due to Connes, of property \(\Gamma\). For a subgroup \(G\) of \(\operatorname{Aut} M\) let \(C^*(M,G)\) denote the \(C^*\)-algebra generated by \(M\) and the canonical implementing unitaries of \(G\) (in the standard representation of \(M\) relative to the trace). In the annals paper referenced above, Connes proved that, if (and only if) \(M\) has property \(\Gamma\), then \(C^*(M,G)\) contains no nonzero compact operator when \(G=\operatorname{Int}M\). The author, continuing work begun elsewhere [Sci. Rep. Niigata Univ. Ser. A 23, 39--41 (1987; Zbl 0624.46040)], proves that \(G\) may be enlarged to include \(\operatorname{Cnt}M\) (the centrally trivial automorphisms) together with any \(\theta\in\operatorname{Aut}M\) for which \(\theta^ n\in \operatorname{Cnt}M\) only for \(n=0\). Moreover, when \(M\) is in fact McDuff, \(G\) need only have countable amenable image in \(\operatorname{Aut} M/\operatorname{Cnt} M\); in particular, there is no longer any restriction on the above \(\theta\).