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Birkhäuser

State Spaces of Operator Algebras

Basic Theory, Orientations, and C*-products

  • Textbook
  • © 2001

Overview

Authors:
  1. Erik M. Alfsen

    1. Mathematical Institute, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

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    You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

  2. Frederic W. Shultz

    1. Department of Mathematics, Wellesley College, Wellesley, USA

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    You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Part of the book series: Mathematics: Theory & Applications (MTA)

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Table of contents (7 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xii
    Download chapter PDF

  2. Introduction

    • Erik M. Alfsen, Frederic W. Shultz
    Pages 1-62

  3. Elementary Theory of C*-algebras and von Neumann Algebras

    • Erik M. Alfsen, Frederic W. Shultz
    Pages 63-129

  4. Ideals, Faces and Compressions

    • Erik M. Alfsen, Frederic W. Shultz
    Pages 130-175

  5. The Normal State Space of ß (H)

    • Erik M. Alfsen, Frederic W. Shultz
    Pages 176-198

  6. States, Representations, and Orientations of C*-algebras

    • Erik M. Alfsen, Frederic W. Shultz
    Pages 199-240

  7. Symmetries and Rotations in von Neumann Algebras

    • Erik M. Alfsen, Frederic W. Shultz
    Pages 241-280

  8. Orientations and von Neumann algebras

    • Erik M. Alfsen, Frederic W. Shultz
    Pages 281-340

  9. Back Matter

    Pages 341-350
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Keywords

About this book

The topic of this book is the theory of state spaces of operator algebras and their geometry. The states are of interest because they determine representations of the algebra, and its algebraic structure is in an intriguing and fascinating fashion encoded in the geometry of the state space. From the beginning the theory of operator algebras was motivated by applications to physics, but recently it has found unexpected new applica­ tions to various fields of pure mathematics, like foliations and knot theory, and (in the Jordan algebra case) also to Banach manifolds and infinite di­ mensional holomorphy. This makes it a relevant field of study for readers with diverse backgrounds and interests. Therefore this book is not intended solely for specialists in operator algebras, but also for graduate students and mathematicians in other fields who want to learn the subject. We assume that the reader starts out with only the basic knowledge taught in standard graduate courses in real and complex variables, measure theory and functional analysis. We have given complete proofs of basic results on operator algebras, so that no previous knowledge in this field is needed. For discussion of some topics, more advanced prerequisites are needed. Here we have included all necessary definitions and statements of results, but in some cases proofs are referred to standard texts. In those cases we have tried to give references to material that can be read and understood easily in the context of our book.

Reviews

"This excellent book was born out of the authors’ successful attempts to answer questions [like] ‘When is a compact convex set the state space of a C*-algebra?’ . . . I would regard the book as essential reading for any graduate student working in C*-algebras and related areas, particularly those with an interest in geometry."

—Zentralblatt Math

"A useful introduction to an elegant aspect of the theory of operator algebras which has close links to mathematical physics, as well as being of interest in its own right."

—Mathematical Reviews

"This self-contained work, focusing on the theory of state spaces of C*-algebras and von Neumann algebras, explains how the oriented state space geometrically determines the algebra...The theory of operator algebras was initially motivated by applications to physics, but has recently found unexpected new applications to fields of pure mathematics as diverse as foliations and knot theory." ---Analele Stiintifice ale Universitatii,,al. I. Cuza din Iasi

Authors and Affiliations

  • Mathematical Institute, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

    Erik M. Alfsen

  • Department of Mathematics, Wellesley College, Wellesley, USA

    Frederic W. Shultz

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