Group C*-algebras as compact quantum metric spaces

Let $\ell$ be a length function on a group $G$, and let $M_{\ell}$ denote the operator of pointwise multiplication by $\ell$ on \bell^2(G). Following Connes, $M_{\ell}$ can be used as a ``Dirac'' operator for $C_r^*(G)$. It defines a Lipschitz seminorm on $C_r^*(G)$, which defines a metric on the state space of $C_r^*(G)$. We investigate whether the topology from this metric coincides with the weak-* topology (our definition of a ``compact quantum metric space''). We give an affirmative answer for $G = {\mathbb Z}^d$ when $\ell$ is a word-length, or the restriction to ${\mathbb Z}^d$ of a norm on ${\mathbb R}^d$. This works for $C_r^*(G)$ twisted by a 2-cocycle, and thus for non-commutative tori. Our approach involves Connes' cosphere algebra, and an interesting compactification of metric spaces which is closely related to geodesic rays.Comment: 53 pages, yet more minor improvements. To appear in Doc. Mat

Topological convolution algebras

In this paper we introduce a new family of topological convolution algebras of the form $\bigcup_{p\in\mathbb N} L_2(S,\mu_p)$, where $S$ is a Borel semi-group in a locally compact group $G$, which carries an inequality of the type $\|f*g\|_p\le A_{p,q}\|f\|_q\|g\|_p$ for $p > q+d$ where $d$ pre-assigned, and $A_{p,q}$ is a constant. We give a sufficient condition on the measures $\mu_p$ for such an inequality to hold. We study the functional calculus and the spectrum of the elements of these algebras, and present two examples, one in the setting of non commutative stochastic distributions, and the other related to Dirichlet series.Comment: Corrected version, to appear in Journal of Functional Analysi

Complex velocity transformations and the Bisognano--Wichmann theorem for quantum fields acting on Krein spaces

It is proven that in indefinite metric quantum field theory there exists a dense set of analytic vectors for the generator of the one parameter group of x^0-x^1 velocity transformations. This makes it possible to define complex velocity transformations also for the indefinite metric case. In combination with the results of Bros -- Epstein -- Moschella, proving Bisognano--Wichmann (BW) analyticity within the linear program, one then obtains a suitable generalization of the BW theorem for local, relativistic quantum fields acting on Krein spaces ("quantum fields with indefinite metric")

Non Commutative Arens Algebras and their Derivations

Given a von Neumann algebra $M$ with a faithful normal semi-finite trace $\tau,$ we consider the non commutative Arens algebra $L^{\omega}(M, \tau)=\bigcap\limits_{p\geq1}L^{p}(M, \tau)$ and the related algebras $L^{\omega}_2(M, \tau)=\bigcap\limits_{p\geq2}L^{p}(M, \tau)$ and $M+L^{\omega}_2(M, \tau)$ which are proved to be complete metrizable locally convex *-algebras. The main purpose of the present paper is to prove that any derivation of the algebra $M+L^{\omega}_2(M, \tau)$ is inner and all derivations of the algebras $L^{\omega}(M,\tau)$ and $L^{\omega}_2(M, \tau)$ are spatial and implemented by elements of $M+L^{\omega}_2(M, \tau).$Comment: 19 pages. Submitted to Journal of Functional analysi