Differential Algebras with Banach-Algebra Coefficients I: from C*-Algebras to the K-Theory of the Spectral Curve

We present an operator-coefficient version of Sato’s infinite-dimensional Grassmann manifold, and τ-function. In this setting the classical Burchnall–Chaundy ring of commuting differential operators can be shown to determine a C*-algebra. For this C*-algebra topological invariants of the spectral ring become readily available, and further, the Brown–Douglas–Fillmore theory of extensions can be applied. We construct KK classes of the spectral curve of the ring and, motivated by the fact that all isospectral Burchnall–Chaundy rings make up the Jacobian of the curve, we compare the (degree-1) K-homology of the curve with that of its Jacobian. We show how the Burchnall–Chaundy C*-algebra extension by the compact operators provides a family of operator τ-functions.