The Calkin algebra is $\aleph_1$-universal

Abstract

We discuss the existence of (injectively) universal C*-algebras and prove that all C*-algebras of density character $\aleph_1$ embed into the Calkin algebra, $Q(H)$. Together with other results, this shows that each of the following assertions is relatively consistent with ZFC: (i) $Q(H)$ is a $2^{\aleph_0}$-universal C*-algebra. (ii) There exists a $2^{\aleph_0}$-universal C*-algebra, but $Q(H)$ is not $2^{\aleph_0}$-universal. (iii) A $2^{\aleph_0}$-universal C*-algebra does not exist. We also prove that it is relatively consistent with ZFC that (iv) there is no $\aleph_1$-universal nuclear C*-algebra, and that (v) there is no $\aleph_1$-universal simple nuclear C*-algebra.