Stable Ranks of Banach Algebras of Operator-Valued Analytic Functions

Let E be a separable infinite-dimensional Hilbert space, and let denote the algebra of all functions that are holomorphic. If is a subalgebra of , then using an algebraic result of Corach and Larotonda, we derive that under some conditions, the Bass stable rank of is infinite. In particular, we deduce that the Bass (and hence topological stable ranks) of the Hardy algebra , the disk algebra and the Wiener algebra are all infinite. Submitted: October 10, 2007., Revised: January 11, 2008., Accepted: January 12, 2007.     

Characterization of Amalgamated Free Blocks of a Graph von Neumann Algebra

We identify two noncommutative structures naturally associated with countable directed graphs. They are formulated in the language of operators on Hilbert spaces. If G is a countable directed graphs with its vertex set V(G) and its edge set E(G), then we associate partial isometries to the edges in E(G) and projections to the vertices in V(G). We construct a corresponding von Neumann algebra as a groupoid crossed product algebra of an arbitrary fixed von Neumann algebra M and the graph groupoid induced by G, via a graph-representation (or a groupoid action) α. Graph groupoids are well-determined (categorial) groupoids. The graph groupoid of G has its binary operation, called admissibility. This has concrete local parts , for all e ∈ E(G). We characterize of , induced by the local parts of , for all e ∈ E(G). We then characterize all amalgamated free blocks of . They are chracterized by well-known von Neumann algebras: the classical group crossed product algebras , and certain subalgebras (M) of operator-valued matricial algebra . This shows that graph von Neumann algebras identify the key properties of graph groupoids. Received: December 20, 2006. Revised: March 07, 2007. Accepted: March 13, 2007.     

Tolokonnikov’s Lemma for Real H ∞ and the Real Disc Algebra

We prove Tolokonnikov’s Lemma and the inner-outer factorization for the real Hardy space , the space of bounded holomorphic (possibly operator-valued) functions on the unit disc all of whose matrix-entries (with respect to fixed orthonormal bases) are functions having real Fourier coefficients, or equivalently, each matrix entry f satisfies for all z ∈ . Tolokonnikov’s Lemma for means that if f is left-invertible, then f can be completed to an isomorphism; that is, there exists an F, invertible in , such that F = [ f f _c ] for some f _c in . In control theory, Tolokonnikov’s Lemma implies that if a function has a right coprime factorization over , then it has a doubly coprime factorization in . We prove the lemma for the real disc algebra as well. In particular, and are Hermite rings. The work of the first author was supported by Magnus Ehrnrooth Foundation. Received: December 5, 2006. Revised: February 4, 2007.     

Parametrization of Contractive Block Operator Matrices and Passive Discrete-Time Systems

Passive linear systems τ = have their transfer function in the Schur class S . Using a parametrization of contractive block operators the transfer function is connected to the Sz.-Nagy–Foiaş characteristic function of the contraction A. This gives a new aspect and some explicit formulas for studying the interplay between the system τ and the functions and . The method leads to some new results for linear passive discrete-time systems. Also new proofs for some known facts in the theory of these systems are obtained. Dedicated to Eduard Tsekanovskiĭ on the occasion of his seventieth birthday This work was supported by the Research Institute for Technology at the University of Vaasa. The first author was also supported by the Academy of Finland (projects 212146, 117617) and the Dutch Organization for Scientific Research N.W.O. (B 61-553). Received: December 22, 2006. Revised: February 6, 2007.     

Passive Systems with a Normal Main Operator and Quasi-selfadjoint Systems

Passive systems with and as an input and output space and as a state space are considered in the case that the main operator on the state space is normal. Basic properties are given and a general unitary similarity result involving some spectral theoretic conditions on the main operator is established. A passive system with is said to be quasi-selfadjoint if ran . The subclass of the Schur class is the class formed by all transfer functions of quasi-selfadjoint passive systems. The subclass is characterized and minimal passive quasi-selfadjoint realizations are studied. The connection between the transfer function belonging to the subclass and the Q-function of T is given. Received: December 16, 2007., Accepted: March 4, 2008.     

Schur Complements in Krein Spaces

The aim of this work is to generalize the notions of Schur complements and shorted operators to Krein spaces. Given a (bounded) J-selfadjoint operator A (with the unique factorization property) acting on a Krein space and a suitable closed subspace of , the Schur complement of A to is defined. The basic properties of are developed and different characterizations are given, most of them resembling those of the shorted of (bounded) positive operators on a Hilbert space. To the memory of Professor Mischa Cotlar     

Ratios of Norms for Polynomials and Connected n-width Problems

Let be a bounded simply connected domain with boundary Γ and let be a regular compact set with connected complement. In this paper we investigate asymptotics of the extremal constants:

Lie and Jordan Ideals in Reflexive Algebras

A CDCSL algebra is a reflexive operator algebra with completely distributive and commutative subspace lattice. In this paper, we show, for a weakly closed linear subspace of a CDCSL algebra , that is a Lie ideal if and only if for all invertibles A in , and that is a Jordan ideal if and only if it is an associative ideal.     

One-sided Grothendieck quotients

We introduce one-sided thick subcategories of an arbitrary preadditive category and define a quotient category . When is abelian, this concept specializes to Grothendieck’s quotient for two-sided thick . We determine the left noetherian rings for which the injective modules form a left thick subcategory. We exhibit a class of one-sided thick subcategories in categories of coherent functors which are ubiquitous in representation theory. Received: 14 November 2006 Revised: 12 March 2007     

On a Poincaré-type Inequality for Energy Forms in L p

We consider Dirichlet spaces ( ) in L ² and more general energy forms in L ^p , . For the latter we introduce the notions of an extended ’Dirichlet’ space and a transient form. Under the assumption that , resp. , are compactly embedded in L ², resp. L ^p , we prove a Poincaré inequality for transient (Dirichlet) forms. If both and its adjoint are sub-Markovian semigroups, we show that the transience of T _t is independent of ) and that it is implied by the transience of the energy form of and the form belonging to .     

The Reduced Minimum Modulus in <Emphasis>C</Emphasis><Superscript>*</Superscript>-Algebras

We define the reduced minimum modulus of a nonzero element a in a unital C ^*-algebra by . We prove that . Applying this result to and its closed two side ideal , we get that dist , and for any if RR = 0, where and is the quotient homomorphism and . These results generalize corresponding results in Hilbert spaces.     

The Schur–Potapov Algorithm for Sequences of Complex p × q Matrices. II

This is the second and final part of a paper which appeared in a preceding issue of this journal. Herein the methods developed in the earlier sections of this paper are used first to develop a number of applications. A central theme of this paper is to study the interplay between functions from and their sequence of SP-parameters. In particular, we describe how certain summability properties of the SP-parameters are expressed in terms of the associated functions from . As a byproduct of our investigations on the interplay between the SP-algorithm for p × q Schur functions and the SP-algorithm for sequences of complex p × q matrices we present a new approach to the nondegenerate matricial Schur problem. Our method complies with the basic strategy in Schur’s classical paper [138] because it does not make use of any tools outside of the theory of Schur functions and Schur sequences. A closer look at the behaviour of distinguished subclasses of with respect to the SP-algorithm enables us to handle the corresponding versions of the matricial Schur problem restricted to these subclasses. Submitted: August 17, 2006. Accepted: September 13, 2006.     

Equidistribution of Rational Matrices in their Conjugacy Classes

Let G be a connected simply connected almost -simple algebraic group with non-compact and a cocompact congruence subgroup. For any homogeneous manifold of finite volume, and a , we show that the Hecke orbit T _a (x ₀ H) is equidistributed on as , provided H is a non-compact commutative reductive subgroup of G. As a corollary, we generalize the equidistribution result of Hecke points ([COU], [EO1]) to homogeneous spaces G/H. As a concrete application, we describe the equidistribution result in the rational matrices with a given characteristic polynomial. The second author partially supported by DMS 0333397. Received: May 2005 Revision: March 2006 Accepted: June 2006     

The general dévissage theorem for Witt groups of schemes

Let be a closed subscheme of the noetherian scheme X. We show that if X has a dualizing complex then there exists a dualizing complex of Z such that there is an isomorphism of coherent Witt groups for all . Received: 3 March 2006     

Properties of Auto- and Antiautomorphisms of Maximal Chain Structures and their Relations to i-Perspectivities

Let E be a non empty set, let P : = E × E, := {x × E|x ∈ E}, := {E × x|x ∈ E}, and := {C ∈ 2 ^P |∀X ∈ : |C ∩ X| = 1} and let . Then the quadruple resp. is called chain structure resp. maximal chain structure. We consider the maximal chain structure as an envelope of the chain structure . Particular chain structures are webs, 2-structures, (coordinatized) affine planes, hyperbola structures or Minkowski planes. Here we study in detail the groups of automorphisms , , , related to a maximal chain structure . The set of all chains can be turned in a group such that the subgroup of generated by the left-, by the right-translations and by ι the inverse map of is isomorphic to (cf. (2.14)).     

Structural reducts and the full implies strong problem

Let be a finite algebra. We show that if there exists a particular dualising alter ego that satisfies a weak form of injectivity, then the notions of full duality and strong duality for are equivalent. Presented by R. Willard. Received August 30, 2005; accepted in final form August 1, 2006.     

On the Schwarz reflection principle for monogenic functions

Let ∑ be either an oriented hyperplane or the unit sphere in , let be open and connected and let be an open and connected domain in such that . If in is a null solution of the Dirac operator (also called a monogenic function in ) which is continuously extendable to , then conditions upon are given enabling the monogenic extension of across . In such a way Schwarz reflection type principles for monogenic functions are established in the Spin (1) and Spin cases. The Spin (1) case includes the classical Schwarz reflection principle for holomorphic functions in the plane. The Spin case deals with so-called “half boundary value problems” for the Dirac operator. Received: 2 February 2006     

Minimal faithful representations of reductive Lie algebras

Let G and H be Lie groups with Lie algebras and . Let G be connected. We prove that a Lie algebra homomorphism is exact if and only if it is completely positive. The main resource is a corresponding theorem about representations on Hilbert spaces. This article summarizes the main results of [1]. Received: 6 December 2005     

Integral Equations on Function Spaces and Dichotomy on the Real Line

The purpose of this paper is to give new and general characterizations for uniform dichotomy and uniform exponential dichotomy of evolution families on the real line. We consider two general classes denoted and and we prove that if V,W are Banach function spaces with and , then the admissibility of the pair for an evolution family implies the uniform dichotomy of . In addition, we consider a subclass and we prove that if , then the admissibility of the pair implies the uniform exponential dichotomy of the family . This condition becomes necessary if . Finally, we present some applications of the main results.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">C</Emphasis><Superscript>*</Superscript>-Algebras of Bergman Type Operators with Piecewise Continuous Coefficients

The C ^*-algebra generated by the n poly-Bergman and m antipoly-Bergman projections and by the operators of multiplication by piecewise continuous functions on the Lebesgue space L ²(Π) over the upper half-plane is studied. Making use of a local principle, limit operators techniques, and the Plamenevsky results on two-dimensional convolution operators with symbols admitting homogeneous discontinuities we reduce the study to simpler C ^*-algebras associated with points and pairs . Applying a symbol calculus for the abstract unital C ^*-algebras generated by N orthogonal projections sum of which equals the unit and by M = n + m one-dimensional orthogonal projections and using relations for the Gauss hypergeometric function, we study local algebras at points being the discontinuity points of coefficients. A symbol calculus for the C ^*-algebra is constructed and a Fredholm criterion for the operators is obtained.