Optimal transport for types and convex analysis for definable predicates in tracial $\mathrm{W}^*$-algebras

Abstract

We investigate the connections between continuous model theory, free probability, and optimal transport/convex analysis in the context of tracial von Neumann algebras. In particular, we give an analog of Monge-Kantorovich duality for optimal couplings where the role of probability distributions on $\mathbb{C}^n$ is played by model-theoretic types, the role of real-valued continuous functions is played by definable predicates, and the role of continuous function $\mathbb{C}^n \to \mathbb{C}^n$ is played by definable functions. In the process, we also advance the understanding of definable predicates and definable functions by showing that all definable predicates can be approximated by "$C^1$ definable predicates" whose gradients are definable functions. As a consequence, we show that every element in the definable closure of $\mathrm{W}^*(x_1,\dots,x_n)$ can be expressed as a definable function of $(x_1,\dots,x_n)$. We give several classes of examples showing that the definable closure can be much larger than $\mathrm{W}^*(x_1,\dots,x_n)$ in general.