On ideals in the bidual of the Fourier algebra and related algebras

Let G be a compact nonmetrizable topological group whose local weight b(G) has uncountable cofinality. Let H be an amenable locally compact group, A(G×H) the Fourier algebra of G×H, and UC₂(G×H) the space of uniformly continuous functionals in VN(G×H)=A^∗(G×H). We use weak factorization of operators in the group von Neumann algebra VN(G×H) to prove that there exist at least ²b(G)² left ideals of dimensions at least ²b(G)² in A(G×H)^∗∗ and in UC₂^∗(G×H). We show that every nontrivial right ideal in A(G×H)^∗∗ and in UC₂^∗(G×H) has dimension at least ²b(G)².     

Lie algebras generated by bounded linear operators on Hilbert spaces

It is proved that the operator Lie algebra ε(T,T^∗) generated by a bounded linear operator T on Hilbert space H is finite-dimensional if and only if T=N+Q, N is a normal operator, [N,Q]=0, and dimA(Q,Q^∗)<+∞, where ε(T,T^∗) denotes the smallest Lie algebra containing T,T^∗, and A(Q,Q^∗) denotes the associative subalgebra of B(H) generated by Q,Q^∗. Moreover, we also give a sufficient and necessary condition for operators to generate finite-dimensional semi-simple Lie algebras. Finally, we prove that if ε(T,T^∗) is an ad-compact E-solvable Lie algebra, then T is a normal operator.     

Functional calculus and ∗-regularity of a class of Banach algebras II

In this article, we define a natural Banach ∗-algebra for a C^∗-dynamical system (A,G,α) which is slightly bigger than L¹(G;A) (they are the same if A is finite-dimensional). We will show that this algebra is ∗-regular if G has polynomial growth. The main result in this article extends the two main results in [C.W. Leung, C.K. Ng, Functional calculus and ∗-regularity of a class of Banach algebras, Proc. Amer. Math. Soc., in press].     

The similarity problem for Fourier algebras and corepresentations of group von Neumann algebras

Let G be a locally compact group, and let A(G) and VN(G) be its Fourier algebra and group von Neumann algebra, respectively. In this paper we consider the similarity problem for A(G): Is every bounded representation of A(G) on a Hilbert space H similar to a *-representation? We show that the similarity problem for A(G) has a negative answer if and only if there is a bounded representation of A(G) which is not completely bounded. For groups with small invariant neighborhoods (i.e. SIN groups) we show that a representation π:A(G)→B(H) is similar to a *-representation if and only if it is completely bounded. This, in particular, implies that corepresentations of VN(G) associated to non-degenerate completely bounded representations of A(G) are similar to unitary corepresentations. We also show that if G is a SIN, maximally almost periodic, or totally disconnected group, then a representation of A(G) is a *-representation if and only if it is a complete contraction. These results partially answer questions posed in Effros and Ruan (2003) [7] and Spronk (2002) [25].     

Fixed point property for Banach algebras associated to locally compact groups

In this paper we investigate when various Banach algebras associated to a locally compact group G have the weak or weak^∗ fixed point property for left reversible semigroups. We proved, for example, that if G is a separable locally compact group with a compact neighborhood of the identity invariant under inner automorphisms, then the Fourier-Stieltjes algebra of G has the weak^∗ fixed point property for left reversible semigroups if and only if G is compact. This generalizes a classical result of T.C. Lim for the case when G is the circle group T.     

Proper actions, fixed-point algebras and naturality in nonabelian duality

Suppose a locally compact group G acts freely and properly on a locally compact Hausdorff space X, and let γ be the induced action on C₀(X). We consider a category in which the objects are C^∗-dynamical systems (A,G,α) for which there is an equivariant homomorphism of (C₀(X),γ) into the multiplier algebra M(A). Rieffel has shown that such systems are proper and saturated, and hence have a generalized fixed-point algebra Aα which is Morita equivalent to A_×α,rG. We show that the assignment (A,α)?Aα is functorial, and that Rieffel's Morita equivalence is natural in a suitable sense. We then use our results to prove a categorical version of Landstad duality which characterizes crossed products by coactions, and to prove that Mansfield imprimitivity for crossed products by homogeneous spaces is natural.     

Representability and Specht problem for G-graded algebras

Let W be an associative PI-algebra over a field F of characteristic zero, graded by a finite group G. Let idG(W) denote the T-ideal of G-graded identities of W. We prove: 1. [G-graded PI-equivalence] There exists a field extension K of F and a finite-dimensional Z/2Z×G-graded algebra A over K such that idG(W)=idG(A^∗) where A^∗ is the Grassmann envelope of A. 2. [G-graded Specht problem] The T-ideal idG(W) is finitely generated as a T-ideal. 3. [G-graded PI-equivalence for affine algebras] Let W be a G-graded affine algebra over F. Then there exists a field extension K of F and a finite-dimensional algebra A over K such that idG(W)=idG(A).     

Amenability and weak amenability of the Fourier algebra

Let G be a locally compact group. We show that its Fourier algebra A(G) is amenable if and only if G has an abelian subgroup of finite index, and that its Fourier–Stieltjes algebra B(G) is amenable if and only if G has a compact, abelian subgroup of finite index. We then show that A(G) is weakly amenable if the component of the identity of G is abelian, and we prove some partial results towards the converse.Research supported by NSERC under grant no. 90749-00.Research supported by NSERC under grant no. 227043-00.     

Weak spectral synthesis in commutative Banach algebras

Let A be a semisimple and regular commutative Banach algebra with structure space Δ(A). Generalizing the notion of spectral sets in Δ(A), the considerably larger class of weak spectral sets was introduced and studied in [C.R. Warner, Weak spectral synthesis, Proc. Amer. Math. Soc. 99 (1987) 244-248]. We prove injection theorems for weak spectral sets and weak Ditkin sets and a Ditkin-Shilov type theorem, which applies to projective tensor products. In addition, we show that weak spectral synthesis holds for the Fourier algebra A(G) of a locally compact group G if and only if G is discrete.     

Hyper-Tauberian algebras and weak amenability of Figà-Talamanca-Herz algebras

We study certain commutative regular semisimple Banach algebras which we call hyper-Tauberian algebras. We first show that they form a subclass of weakly amenable Tauberian algebras. Then we investigate the basic and hereditary properties of them. Moreover, we show that if A is a hyper-Tauberian algebra, then the linear space of bounded derivations from A into any Banach A-bimodule is reflexive. We apply these results to the Figà-Talamanca-Herz algebra A_p(G) of a locally compact group G for p∈(1,∞). We show that A_p(G) is hyper-Tauberian if the principal component of G is abelian. Finally, by considering the quantization of these results, we show that for any locally compact group G, A_p(G), equipped with an appropriate operator space structure, is a quantized hyper-Tauberian algebra. This, in particular, implies that A_p(G) is operator weakly amenable.     

On topological centre problems and SIN quantum groups

Let A be a Banach algebra with a faithful multiplication and ^∗〈A^∗A〉 be the quotient Banach algebra of A∗∗ with the left Arens product. We introduce a natural Banach algebra, which is a closed subspace of ^∗〈A^∗A〉 but equipped with a distinct multiplication. With the help of this Banach algebra, new characterizations of the topological centre Zt(^∗〈A^∗A〉) of ^∗〈A^∗A〉 are obtained, and a characterization of Zt(^∗〈A^∗A〉) by Lau and Ülger for A having a bounded approximate identity is extended to all Banach algebras. The study of this Banach algebra motivates us to introduce the notion of SIN locally compact quantum groups and the concept of quotient strong Arens irregularity. We give characterizations of co-amenable SIN quantum groups, which are even new for locally compact groups. Our study shows that the SIN property is intrinsically related to topological centre problems. We also give characterizations of quotient strong Arens irregularity for all quantum group algebras. Within the class of Banach algebras introduced recently by the authors, we characterize the unital ones, generalizing the corresponding result of Lau and Ülger. We study the interrelationships between strong Arens irregularity and quotient strong Arens irregularity, revealing the complex nature of topological centre problems. Some open questions by Lau and Ülger on Zt(^∗〈A^∗A〉) are also answered.     

On p-approximation properties for p-operator spaces

This paper has a two-fold purpose. Let 1<p<∞. We first introduce the p-operator space injective tensor product and study various properties related to this tensor product, including the p-operator space approximation property, for p-operator spaces on Lp-spaces. We then apply these properties to the study of the pseudofunction algebra PFp(G), the pseudomeasure algebra PMp(G), and the Figà-Talamanca-Herz algebra Ap(G) of a locally compact group G. We show that if G is a discrete group, then most of approximation properties for the reduced group C^∗-algebra , the group von Neumann algebra VN(G), and the Fourier algebra A(G) (related to amenability, weak amenability, and approximation property of G) have the natural p-analogues for PFp(G), PMp(G), and Ap(G), respectively. The p-completely bounded multiplier algebra McbAp(G) plays an important role in this work.     

Reynolds operator on functors

Let be an affine R-monoid scheme. We prove that the category of dual functors (over the category of commutative R-algebras) of G-modules is equivalent to the category of dual functors of A^∗-modules. We prove that G is invariant exact if and only if A^∗=R×B^∗ as R-algebras and the first projection A^∗→R is the unit of A. If M is a dual functor of G-modules and w_G?(1,0)∈R×B^∗=A^∗, we prove that M^G=w_G⋅M and M=w_G⋅M⊕(1−w_G)⋅M; hence, the Reynolds operator can be defined on M.     

The Banach-Lie algebra of multiplication operators on a JBW-triple

The Banach-Lie algebra L(A) of multiplication operators on the JB^∗-triple A is introduced and it is shown that the hermitian part Lh(A) of L(A) is a unital GM-space the base of the dual cone in the dual GL-space ^∗(Lh(A)) of which is affine isomorphic and weak^∗-homeomorphic to the state space of L(A). In the case in which A is a JBW^∗-triple, it is shown that tripotents u and v in A are orthogonal if and only if the corresponding multiplication operators in the unital GM-space Lh(A) satisfy

0?D(u,u)+D(v,v)?idA,     

Entropy of automorphisms arising from dynamical systems through discrete groups with amenable actions

Let G⊂Aut(A) be a discrete group which is exact, that is, admits an amenable action on some compact space. Then the entropy of an automorphism of the algebra A does not change by the canonical extension to the crossed product A×G. This is shown for the topological entropy of an exact C∗-algebra A and for the dynamical entropy of an AFD von Neumann algebra A. These have applications to the case of transformations on Lebesgue spaces.     

Primitives and central detection numbers in group cohomology

Fix a prime p. Given a finite group G, let H^∗(G) denote its mod p cohomology. In the early 1990s, Henn, Lannes, and Schwartz introduced two invariants d₀(G) and d₁(G) of H^∗(G) viewed as a module over the mod p Steenrod algebra. They showed that, in a precise sense, H^∗(G) is respectively detected and determined by Hd(CG(V)) for d?d₀(G) and d?d₁(G), with V running through the elementary abelian p-subgroups of G.The main goal of this paper is to study how to calculate these invariants. We find that a critical role is played by the image of the restriction of H^∗(G) to H^∗(C), where C is the maximal central elementary abelian p-subgroup of G. A measure of this is the top degree e(G) of the finite dimensional Hopf algebra H^∗(C)_⊗H^∗(G)Fp, a number that tends to be quite easy to calculate.Our results are complete when G has a p-Sylow subgroup P in which every element of order p is central. Using the Benson-Carlson duality, we show that in this case, d₀(G)=d₀(P)=e(P), and a similar exact formula holds for d₁. As a bonus, we learn that He(G)(P) contains nontrivial essential cohomology, reproving and sharpening a theorem of Adem and Karagueuzian.In general, we are able to show that d₀(G)?max{e(CG(V))|V<G} if certain cases of Benson's Regularity Conjecture hold. In particular, this inequality holds for all groups such that the difference between the p-rank of G and the depth of H^∗(G) is at most 2. When we look at examples with p=2, we learn that d₀(G)?14 for all groups with 2-Sylow subgroup of order up to 64, with equality realized when G=SU(3,4).En route we study two objects of independent interest. If C is any central elementary abelian p-subgroup of G, then H^∗(G) is an H^∗(C)-comodule, and we prove that the subalgebra of H^∗(C)-primitives is always Noetherian of Krull dimension equal to the p-rank of G minus the p-rank of C. If the depth of H^∗(G) equals the rank of Z(G), we show that the depth essential cohomology of G is nonzero (reproving and extending a theorem of Green), and Cohen-Macauley in a certain sense, and prove related structural results.     

Ideals with bounded approximate identities in Fourier algebras

We make use of the operator space structure of the Fourier algebra A(G) of an amenable locally compact group to prove that if H is any closed subgroup of G, then the ideal I(H) consisting of all functions in A(G) vanishing on H has a bounded approximate identity. This result allows us to completely characterize the ideals of A(G) with bounded approximate identities. We also show that for several classes of locally compact groups, including all nilpotent groups, I(H) has an approximate identity with norm bounded by 2, the best possible norm bound.     

Weak factorizations of operators in the group von Neumann algebras of certain amenable groups and applications

Let G be a compact group whose local weight b(G) has uncountable cofinality. Let H be an amenable locally compact group and A(G × H) be the Fourier algebra of G × H. We prove that the group von Neumann algebra VN(G × H) = A(G × H)^* has the weak uniform A(G × H)^** factorization property of level b(G). As a corollary we show that A(G × H) is strongly Arens irregular, and the topological centre of UC ₂(G × H)^* is equal to the Fourier–Stieltjes algebra B(G × H).     

The Socle and finite dimensionality of some Banach algebras

The purpose of this note is to describe some algebraic conditions on a Banach algebra which force it to be finite dimensional. One of the main results in Theorem 2 which states that for a locally compact groupG, G is compact if there exists a measure μ in Soc(L ¹(G)) such that μ(G) ≠ 0. We also prove thatG is finite if Soc(M(G)) is closed and every nonzero left ideal inM(G) contains a minimal left ideal.     

A Morita theorem for dual operator algebras

We prove that two dual operator algebras are weak^∗ Morita equivalent in the sense of [D.P. Blecher, U. Kashyap, Morita equivalence of dual operator algebras, J. Pure Appl. Algebra 212 (2008) 2401-2412] if and only if they have equivalent categories of dual operator modules via completely contractive functors which are also weak^∗-continuous on appropriate morphism spaces. Moreover, in a fashion similar to the operator algebra case, we characterize such functors as the module normal Haagerup tensor product with an appropriate weak^∗ Morita equivalence bimodule. We also develop the theory of the W^∗-dilation, which connects the non-selfadjoint dual operator algebra with the W^∗-algebraic framework. In the case of weak^∗ Morita equivalence, this W^∗-dilation is a W^∗-module over a von Neumann algebra generated by the non-selfadjoint dual operator algebra. The theory of the W^∗-dilation is a key part of the proof of our main theorem.