Decomposition Rank of Subhomogeneous C*-Algebras

We analyze the decomposition rank (a notion of covering dimensionfor nuclear C*-algebras introduced by E. Kirchberg and the author)of subhomogeneous C*-algebras. In particular, we show that asubhomogeneous C*-algebra has decomposition rank n if and onlyif it is recursive subhomogeneous of topological dimension n,and that n is determined by the primitive ideal space. As an application, we use recent results of Q. Lin and N. C.Phillips to show the following. Let A be the crossed productC*-algebra coming from a compact smooth manifold and a minimaldiffeomorphism. Then the decomposition rank of A is dominatedby the covering dimension of the underlying manifold. 2000 MathematicsSubject Classification 46L85, 46L35.