arXiv subjects

Junsheng Fang

Publications and source records attributed to Junsheng Fang.

34 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2013

Upper triangular Toeplitz matrices and real parts of quasinilpotent operators

We show that every self--adjoint matrix B of trace 0 can be realized as B=T+T^* for a nilpotent matrix T of norm no greater than K times the norm of B, for a constant K that is independent of matrix size. More particularly, if D is a diagonal, self--adjoint n-by-n matrix of trace 0, then there is a unitary matrix V=XU_n, where X is an n-by-n permutation matrix and U_n is the n-by-n Fourier matrix, such that the upper triangular part, T, of the conjugate V^*DV of D has norm no greater than K times the norm of D. This matrix T is a strictly upper triangular Toeplitz matrix such that T+T^*=V^*DV. We apply this and related results to give partial answers to questions about real parts of quasinilpotent elements in finite von Neumann algebras.

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arXiv2012

On generalized universal irrational rotation algebras and the operator $u+v$

We introduce a class of generalized universal irrational rotation $C^*$-algebras $A_{θ,γ}=C^*(x,w)$ which is characterized by the relations $w^*w=ww^*=1$, $x^*x=γ(w)$, $xx^*=γ(e^{-2πiθ}w)$, and $xw=e^{-2πiθ}wx$, where $θ$ is an irrational number and $γ(z)\in C(\mathbb{T})$ is a positive function. We characterize tracial linear functionals, simplicity, and $K$-groups of $A_{θ,γ}$ in terms of zero points of $γ(z)$. We show that if $A_{θ,γ}$ is simple then $A_{θ,γ}$ is an $A{\mathbb T}$-algebra of real rank zero. We classify $A_{θ,γ}$ in terms of $θ$ and zero points of $γ(z)$. Let $A_θ=C^*(u,v)$ be the universal irrational rotation $C^*$-algebra with $vu=e^{2πiθ}uv$. Then $C^*(u+v)\cong A_{θ,|1+z|^2}$. As an application, we show that $C^*(u+v)$ is a proper simple $C^*$-subalgebra of $A_θ$ which has a unique trace, $K_1(C^*(u+v))\cong \mathbb{Z}$, and there is an order isomorphism of $K_0(C^*(u+v))$ onto $\mathbb{Z}+\mathbb{Z}θ$. {Moreover, $C^*(u+v)$ is a unital simple $A{\mathbb T}$-algebra of real rank zero.} We also calculate the spectrum and the Brown measure of $u+v$.

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arXiv2011

The carpenter and Schur--Horn problems for masas in finite factors

Two classical theorems in matrix theory, due to Schur and Horn, relate the eigenvalues of a self-adjoint matrix to the diagonal entries. These have recently been given a formulation in the setting of operator algebras as the Schur-Horn problem, where matrix algebras and diagonals are replaced respectively by finite factors and maximal abelian self-adjoint subalgebras (masas). There is a special case of the problem, called the carpenter problem, which can be stated as follows: for a masa A in a finite factor M with conditional expectation E_A, can each x in A with 0 <= x <= 1 be expressed as E_A(p) for a projection p in M? In this paper, we investigate these problems for various masas. We give positive solutions for the generator and radial masas in free group factors, and we also solve affirmatively a weaker form of the Schur-Horm problem for the Cartan masa in the hyperfinite factor.

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arXiv2011

Mixing subalgebras of finite von Neumann algebras

Jolissaint and Stalder introduced definitions of mixing and weak mixing for von Neumann subalgebras of finite von Neumann algebras. In this note, we study various algebraic and analytical properties of subalgebras with these mixing properties. We prove some basic results about mixing inclusions of von Neumann algebras and establish a connection between mixing properties and normalizers of von Neumann subalgebras. The special case of mixing subalgebras arising from inclusions of countable discrete groups finds applications to ergodic theory, in particular, a new generalization of a classical theorem of Halmos on the automorphisms of a compact abelian group. For a finite von Neumann algebra $M$ and von Neumann subalgebras $A$, $B$ of $M$, we introduce a notion of weak mixing of $B\subseteq M$ relative to $A$. We show that weak mixing of $B\subset M$ relative to $A$ is equivalent to the following property: if $x\in M$ and there exist a finite number of elements $x_1,...,x_n\in M$ such that $Ax\subset \sum_{i=1}^nx_iB$, then $x\in B$. We conclude the paper with an assortment of further examples of mixing subalgebras arising from the amalgamated free product and crossed product constructions.

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arXiv2011

The Radial Masa in a Free Group Factor is Maximal Injective

The radial (or Laplacian) masa in a free group factor is the abelian von Neumann algebra generated by the sum of the generators (of the free group) and their inverses. The main result of this paper is that the radial masa is a maximal injective von Neumann subalgebra of a free group factor. We also investigate tensor products of maximal injective algebras. Given two inclusions $B_i\subset M_i$ of type $\mathrm{I}$ von Neumann algebras in finite von Neumann algebras such that each $B_i$ is maximal injective in $M_i$, we show that the tensor product $B_1\ \bar{\otimes}\ B_2$ is maximal injective in $M_1\ \bar{\otimes}\ M_2$ provided at least one of the inclusions satisfies the asymptotic orthogonality property we establish for the radial masa. In particular it follows that finite tensor products of generator and radial masas will be maximal injective in the corresponding tensor product of free group factors.

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arXiv2010

The Relative Weak Asymptotic Homomorphism Property for Inclusions of Finite von Neumann Algebras

A triple of finite von Neumann algebras $B\subseteq N\subseteq M$ is said to have the relative weak asymptotic homomorphism property if there exists a net of unitary operators $\{u_λ\}_{λ\in Λ}$ in $B$ such that $$\lim_λ|\mathbb{E}}_B(xu_λy)-{\mathbb{E}}_B({\mathbb{E}}_N(x)u_λ{\mathbb{E}}_N(y))\|_2=0$$ for all $x,y\in M$. We prove that a triple of finite von Neumann algebras $B\subseteq N\subseteq M$ has the relative weak asymptotic homomorphism property if and only if $N$ contains the set of all $x\in M$ such that $Bx\subseteq \sum_{i=1}^n x_iB$ for a finite number of elements $x_1,...,x_n$ in $M$. Such an $x$ is called a one sided quasi-normalizer of $B$, and the von Neumann algebra generated by all one sided quasi-normalizers of $B$ is called the one sided quasi-normalizer algebra of $B$. We characterize one sided quasi-normalizer algebras for inclusions of group von Neumann algebras and use this to show that one sided quasi-normalizer algebras and quasi-normalizer algebras are not equal in general. We also give some applications to inclusions $L(H)\subseteq L(G)$ arising from containments of groups. For example, when $L(H)$ is a masa we determine the unitary normalizer algebra as the von Neumann algebra generated by the normalizers of $H$ in $G$.

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arXiv2010

Groupoid normalisers of tensor products: infinite von Neumann algebras

The groupoid normalisers of a unital inclusion $B\subseteq M$ of von Neumann algebras consist of the set $\mathcal{GN}_M(B)$ of partial isometries $v\in M$ with $vBv^*\subseteq B$ and $v^*Bv\subseteq B$. Given two unital inclusions $B_i\subseteq M_i$ of von Neumann algebras, we examine groupoid normalisers for the tensor product inclusion $B_1\ \overline{\otimes}\ B_2\subseteq M_1\ \overline{\otimes}\ M_2$ establishing the formula $$ \mathcal{GN}_{M_1\,\overline{\otimes}\,M_2}(B_1\ \overline{\otimes}\ B_2)''=\mathcal{GN}_{M_1}(B_1)''\ \overline{\otimes}\ \mathcal{GN}_{M_2}(B_2)'' $$ when one inclusion has a discrete relative commutant $B_1'\cap M_1$ equal to the centre of $B_1$ (no assumption is made on the second inclusion). This result also holds when one inclusion is a generator masa in a free group factor. We also examine when a unitary $u\in M_1\ \overline{\otimes}\ M_2$ normalising a tensor product $B_1\ \overline{\otimes}\ B_2$ of irreducible subfactors factorises as $w(v_1\otimes v_2)$ (for some unitary $w\in B_1\ \overline{\otimes}\ B_2$ and normalisers $v_i\in\mathcal{N}_{M_i}(B_i)$). We obtain a positive result when one of the $M_i$ is finite or both of the $B_i$ are infinite. For the remaining case, we characterise the II$_1$ factors $B_1$ for which such factorisations always occur (for all $M_1, B_2$ and $M_2$) as those with a trivial fundamental group.

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arXiv2008

A note on the invariant subspace problem relative to a type ${\rm II}_1$ factor

Let $\M$ be a type ${\rm II}_1$ factor with a faithful normal tracial state $τ$ and let $\M^ω$ be the ultrapower algebra of $\M$. In this paper, we prove that for every operator $T\in \M^ω$, there is a family of projections $\{P_t\}_{0\leq t\leq 1}$ in $\M^ω$ such that $TP_t=P_tTP_t$, $P_s\leq P_t$ if $s\leq t$, and $τ_ω(P_t)=t$. Let $\mathfrak{M}=\{Z \in \M: \text{there is a family of projections} \{P_t\}_{0\leq t\leq 1} \text{in} \M \text{such that} ZP_t=P_tZP_t, P_s\leq P_t \text{if} s\leq t, \text{and} τ(P_t)=t\}$. As an application we show that for every operator $T\in \M$ and $ε>0$, there is an operator $S\in \mathfrak{M}$ such that $\|S\|\leq \|T\|$ and $\|S-T\|_2<ε$. We also show that $\prod_n^ωM_n(\cc)$ is not $\ast$-isomorphic to the ultrapower algebra of the hyperfinite type ${\rm II}_1$ factor.

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arXiv2008

Groupoid normalizers of tensor products

We consider an inclusion $B\subseteq M$ of finite von Neumann algebras satisfying $B'\cap M\subseteq B$. A partial isometry $v\in M$ is called a groupoid normalizer if $vBv^*, v^*Bv\subseteq B$. Given two such inclusions $B_i\subseteq M_i$, $i=1,2$, we find approximations to the groupoid normalizers of $B_1 \vnotimes B_2$ in $M_1\vnotimes M_2$, from which we deduce that the von Neumann algebra generated by the groupoid normalizers of the tensor product is equal to the tensor product of the von Neumann algebras generated by the groupoid normalizers. Examples are given to show that this can fail without the hypothesis $B_i'\cap M_i\subseteq B_i$, $i=1,2$. We also prove a parallel result where the groupoid normalizers are replaced by the intertwiners, those partial isometries $v\in M$ satisfying $vBv^*\subseteq B$ and $v^*v, vv^*\in B$.

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arXiv2008

Tracial gauge norms on finite von Neumann algebras satisfying the weak Dixmier property

In this paper we set up a representation theorem for tracial gauge norms on finite von Neumann algebras satisfying the weak Dixmier property in terms of Ky Fan norms. Examples of tracial gauge norms on finite von Neumann algebras satisfying the weak Dixmier property include unitarily invariant norms on finite factors (type ${\rm II}\sb 1$ factors and $M_n(\cc)$) and symmetric gauge norms on $L^\infty[0,1]$ and $\cc^n$. As the first application, we obtain that the class of unitarily invariant norms on a type ${\rm II}\sb 1$ factor coincides with the class of symmetric gauge norms on $L^\infty[0,1]$ and von Neumann's classical result \cite{vN} on unitarily invariant norms on $M_n(\cc)$. As the second application, Ky Fan's dominance theorem \cite{Fan} is obtained for finite von Neumann algebras satisfying the weak Dixmier property. As the third application, some classical results in non-commutative $L^p$-theory (e.g., non-commutative H$\ddot{\text{o}}$lder's inequality, duality and reflexivity of non-commutative $L^p$-spaces) are obtained for general unitarily invariant norms on finite factors. We also investigate the extreme points of $\NN(\M)$, the convex compact set (in the pointwise weak topology) of normalized unitarily invariant norms (the norm of the identity operator is 1) on a finite factor $\M$. We obtain all extreme points of $\NN(M_2(\cc))$ and many extreme points of $\NN(M_n(\cc))$ ($n\geq 3$). For a type ${\rm II}\sb 1$ factor $\M$, we prove that if $t$ ($0\leq t\leq 1$) is a rational number then the Ky Fan $t$-th norm is an extreme point of $\NN(\M)$.

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arXiv2008

Unitarily invariant norms related to factors

Let $\M$ be a semi-finite factor and let $\J(\M)$ be the set of operators $T$ in $\M$ such that $T=ETE$ for some finite projection $E$. In this paper we obtain a representation theorem for unitarily invariant norms on $\J(\M)$ in terms of Ky Fan norms. As an application, we prove that the class of unitarily invariant norms on $\J(\M)$ coincides with the class of symmetric gauge norms on a classical abelian algebra, which generalizes von Neumann's classical result \cite{vN} on unitarily invariant norms on $M_n(\cc)$. As another application, Ky Fan's dominance theorem \cite{Fan} is obtained for semi-finite factors. Some classical results in non-commutative $L^p$-theory (e.g., non-commutative H$\ddot{\text{o}}$lder's inequality, duality and reflexivity of non-commutative $L^p$-spaces) are extended to general unitarily invariant norms related to semi-finite factors. We also prove that up to a scale the operator norm is the unique unitarily invariant norm associated to a type ${\rm III}$ factor.

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arXiv2007

Haagerup's Approximation Property and Relative Amenability

A finite von Neumann algebra $\mathcal{M}$ with a faithful normal trace $% τ$ has Haagerup's approximation property (relative to a von Neumann subalgebra $\mathcal{N}$) if there exists a net $(ϕ_α)_{α\in Λ}$ of normal completely positive ($\mathcal{N}$-bimodular) maps from $\mathcal{M}$ to $\mathcal{M}$ that satisfy the subtracial condition $% τ\circ ϕ_α\leq τ$, the extension operators $% T_{ϕ_α}$ are bounded compact operators (in $<\mathcal{M%},e_{\mathcal{N}}>$), and pointwise approximate the identity in the trace-norm, i.e., $\lim_α||ϕ_α(x)-x||_{2}=0$ for all $% x\in \mathcal{M}$. We prove that the subtraciality condition can be removed, and provide a description of Haagerup's approximation property in terms of Connes's theory of correspondences. We show that if $\mathcal{N}\subseteq \mathcal{M}$ is an amenable inclusion of finite von Neumann algebras and $% \mathcal{N}$ has Haagerup's approximation property, then $\mathcal{M}$ also has Haagerup's approximation property. This work answers two questions of Sorin Popa.

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arXiv2007

On Completely Singular von Neumann Subalgebras

Let $\M$ be a von Neumann algebra acting on a Hilbert space $\H$, and $\N$ be a singular von Neumann subalgebra of $\M.$ If $\N\tensor\B(\K)$ is singular in $\M\tensor\B(\K)$ for any Hilbert space $\K$, we say $\N$ is \emph{completely singular} in $\M$. We prove that if $\N$ is a singular abelian von Neumann subalgebra or if $\N$ is a singular subfactor of a type $II_1$ factor $\M$, then $\N$ is completely singular in $\M$. For any type $II_1$ factor $\M$, we construct a singular von Neumann subalgebra $\N$ of $\M$ ($\N\neq \M$) such that $\N\tensor\B(l^2(\mathbb{N}))$ is regular (hence not singular) in $\M\tensor \B(l^2(\mathbb{N}))$. If $\H$ is separable, then $\N$ is completely singular in $\M$ if and only if for any $θ\in Aut(\N')$ such that $θ(X)=X$ for all $X\in\M'$, then $θ(Y)=Y$ for all $Y\in\N'$. As an application of this characterization of completely singularity, we prove that if $\M$ is separable (with separable predual) and $\N$ is completely singular in $\M$, then $\N\tensorŁ$ is completely singular in $\M\tensor Ł$ for any separable von Neumann algebra $Ł$.

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arXiv2007

On maximal injective subalgebras of tensor products of von Neumann algebras

Let M_i be a von Neumann algebra, and B_i be a maximal injective von Neumann subalgebra of M_i, i=1,2. If M_1 has separable predual and the center of B_1 is atomic, e.g., B_1 is a factor, then B_1\tensor B_2 is a maximal injective von Neuamnn subalgebra of M_1\tensor M_2. This partly answers a question of Popa

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arXiv2007

On spectra and Brown's spectral measures of elements in free products of matrix algebras

We compute spectra and Brown measures of some non self-adjoint operators in $(M_2(\cc), {1/2}Tr)*(M_2(\cc), {1/2}Tr)$, the reduced free product von Neumann algebra of $M_2(\cc)$ with $M_2(\cc)$. Examples include $AB$ and $A+B$, where A and B are matrices in $(M_2(\cc), {1/2}Tr)*1$ and $1*(M_2(\cc), {1/2}Tr)$, respectively. We prove that AB is an R-diagonal operator (in the sense of Nica and Speicher \cite{N-S1}) if and only if Tr(A)=Tr(B)=0. We show that if X=AB or X=A+B and A,B are not scalar matrices, then the Brown measure of X is not concentrated on a single point. By a theorem of Haagerup and Schultz \cite{H-S1}, we obtain that if X=AB or X=A+B and $X\neq λ1$, then X has a nontrivial hyperinvariant subspace affiliated with $(M_2(\cc), {1/2}Tr)*(M_2(\cc), {1/2}Tr)$.

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arXiv2007

On Transitive Algebras Containing a Standard Finite von Neumann Subalgebra

Let $\M$ be a finite von Neumann algebra acting on a Hilbert space $\H$ and $Å$ be a transitive algebra containing $\M'$. In this paper we prove that if $Å$ is 2-fold transitive, then $Å$ is strongly dense in $\B(\H)$. This implies that if a transitive algebra containing a standard finite von Neumann algebra (in the sense of [Ha1]) is 2-fold transitive, then $Å$ is strongly dense in $\B(\H)$. Non-selfadjoint algebras related to free products of finite von Neumann algebras, e.g., $Ł{\mathbb{F}_n}$ and $(M_2(\cc), {1/2}Tr)*(M_2(\cc), {1/2}Tr)$, are studied. Brown measures of certain operators in $(M_2(\cc), {1/2}Tr)*(M_2(\cc), {1/2}Tr)$ are explicitly computed.

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