On solid ergodicity for Gaussian actions

We investigate Gaussian actions through the study of their crossed-product von Neumann algebra. The motivational result is Chifan and Ioana's ergodic decomposition theorem for Bernoulli actions (Ergodic subequivalence relations induced by a Bernoulli action, {\it Geometric and Functional Analysis}{\bf 20} (2010), 53-67) that we generalize to Gaussian actions. We also give general structural results that allow us to get a more accurate result at the level of von Neumann algebras. More precisely, for a large class of Gaussian actions $\Gamma \curvearrowright X$, we show that any subfactor $N$ of $L^\infty(X) \rtimes \Gamma$ containing $L^\infty(X)$ is either hyperfinite or is non-Gamma and prime. At the end of the article, we generalize this result to Bogoliubov actions.Comment: Updated version, 20 page

W*-superrigidity of mixing Gaussian actions of rigid groups

We generalize W*-superrigidity results about Bernoulli actions of rigid groups to general mixing Gaussian actions. We thus obtain the following: If \Gamma\ is any ICC group which is w-rigid (i.e. it contains an infinite normal subgroup with the relative property (T)) then any mixing Gaussian action \sigma\ of \Gamma\ is W*-superrigid. More precisely, if \rho\ is another free ergodic action of a group \Lambda\ such that the crossed-product von Neumann algebras associated with \rho\ and \sigma\ are isomorphic, then \Lambda\ and \Gamma\ are isomorphic, and the actions \rho\ and \sigma\ are conjugate. We prove a similar statement whenever \Gamma\ is a non-amenable ICC product of two infinite groups

Plusieurs aspects de rigidité des algèbres de von Neumann

The purpose of this dissertation is to put on light rigidity properties of several constructions of von Neumann algebras. These constructions relate group theory and ergodic theory to operator algebras.In Chapter II, we study von Neumann algebras associated with measure-Preserving actions of discrete groups: Gaussian actions. These actions are somehow a generalization of Bernoulli actions. We have two goals in this chapter. The first goal is to use the von Neumann algebra associated with an action as a tool to deduce properties of the initial action (see Corollary II.2.16). The second aim is to prove structural results and classification results for von Neumann algebras associated with Gaussian actions. The most striking rigidity result of the chapter is Theorem II.4.5, which states that in some cases the von Neumann algebra associated with a Gaussian action entirely remembers the action, up to conjugacy. Our results generalize similar results for Bernoulli actions ([KT08,CI10,Io11,IPV13]).In Chapter III, we study amalgamated free products of von Neumann algebras. The content of this chapter is obtained in collaboration with C. Houdayer and S. Raum. We investigate Cartan subalgebras in such amalgamated free products. In particular, we deduce that the free product of two von Neumann algebras is never obtained as a group-Measure space construction of a non-Singular action of a discrete countable group on a measured space.Finally, Chapter IV is concerned with von Neumann algebras associated with hyperbolic groups. The content of this chapter is obtained in collaboration with A. Carderi. We use the geometry of hyperbolic groups to provide new examples of maximal amenable (and yet type I) subalgebras in type II_1 factors.Dans cette thèse je m'intéresse à des propriétés de rigidité de certaines constructions d'algèbres de von Neumann. Ces constructions relient la théorie des groupes et la théorie ergodique au monde des algèbres d'opérateurs. Il est donc naturel de s'interroger sur la force de ce lien et sur la possibilité d'un enrichissement mutuel dans ces différents domaines. Le Chapitre II traite des actions Gaussiennes. Ce sont des actions de groupes discrets préservant une mesure de probabilité qui généralisent les actions de Bernoulli. Dans un premier temps, j'étudie les propriétés d'ergodicité de ces actions à partir d'une analyse de leurs algèbres de von Neumann (voir Theorem II.1.22 et Corollary II.2.16). Ensuite, je classifie les algèbres de von Neumann associées à certaines actions Gaussiennes, à isomorphisme près, en montrant un résultat de W*-Superrigidité (Theorem II.4.5). Ces résultats généralisent des travaux analogues sur les actions de Bernoulli ([KT08,CI10,Io11,IPV13]).Dans le Chapitre III, j'étudie les produits libres amalgamés d'algèbres de von Neumann. Ce chapitre résulte d'une collaboration avec C. Houdayer et S. Raum. Nous analysons les sous-Algèbres de Cartan de tels produits libres amalgamés. Nous déduisons notamment de notre analyse que le produit libre de deux algèbres de von Neumann n'est jamais obtenu à partir d'une action d'un groupe sur un espace mesuré.Enfin, le Chapitre IV porte sur les algèbres de von Neumann associées à des groupes hyperboliques. Ce chapitre est obtenu en collaboration avec A. Carderi. Nous utilisons la géométrie des groupes hyperboliques pour fournir de nouveaux exemples de sous-Algèbres maximales moyennables (mais de type I) dans des facteurs II_1

Charmenability of arithmetic groups of product type

We discuss special properties of the spaces of characters and positive definite functions, as well as their associated dynamics, for arithmetic groups of product type. Axiomatizing these properties, we define the notions of charmenability and charfiniteness and study their applications to the topological dynamics, ergodic theory and unitary representation theory of the given groups. To do that, we study singularity properties of equivariant normal ucp maps between certain von Neumann algebras. We apply our discussion also to groups acting on product of trees.Comment: 38 pages. v2: minor modification

Non-isomorphism of A ∗ n,2≤ n ≤∞, for a non-separable abelian von Neumann algebra A

We prove that if A is a non-separable abelian tracial von Neuman algebra then its free powers A∗n,2≤n≤∞, are mutually non-isomorphic and with trivial fundamental group, , whenever 2≤

Infinite characters of type II on SLn(Z)SL_n(\mathbb{Z})

We construct uncountably many infinite characters of type II for $SL_n(\mathbb{Z})$, $n \geq 2$