Compact Quantum Metric Spaces
We give a brief survey of many of the high-lights of our present understanding of the young subject of quantum metric spaces, and of quantum Gromov-Hausdorff distance between them. We include examples.
math.OA↗
arXiv subjects
Marc A. Rieffel
Publications and source records attributed to Marc A. Rieffel.
Hyperbolic group $C^*$-algebras and free-product $C^*$-algebras as compact quantum metric spaces
Let $\ell$ be a length function on a group G, and let $M_{\ell}$ denote the operator of pointwise multiplication by $\ell$ on $\bell^2(G)$. Following Connes, $M_{\ell}$ can be used as a ``Dirac'' operator for $C_r^*(G)$. It defines a Lipschitz seminorm on $C_r^*(G)$, which defines a metric on the state space of $C_r^*(G)$. We show that if G is a hyperbolic group and if $\ell$ is a word-length function on G, then the topology from this metric coincides with the weak-* topology (our definition of a ``compact quantum metric space''). We show that a convenient framework is that of filtered $C^*$-algebras which satisfy a suitable `` Haagerup-type'' condition. We also use this framework to prove an analogous fact for certain reduced free products of $C^*$-algebras.
math.OA↗
Gromov-Hausdorff Distance for Quantum Metric Spaces
By a quantum metric space we mean a C^*-algebra (or more generally an order-unit space) equipped with a generalization of the Lipschitz seminorm on functions which is defined by an ordinary metric. We develop for compact quantum metric spaces a version of Gromov-Hausdorff distance. We show that the basic theorems of the classical theory have natural quantum analogues. Our main example involves the quantum tori, $A_þ$. We show, for consistently defined ``metrics'', that if a sequence $\{þ_n\}$ of parameters converges to a parameter $þ$, then the sequence $\{A_{þ_n}\}$ of quantum tori converges in quantum Gromov-Hausdorff distance to $A_þ$.
math.OA↗
Group C*-algebras as compact quantum metric spaces
Let $\ell$ be a length function on a group $G$, and let $M_{\ell}$ denote the operator of pointwise multiplication by $\ell$ on $\bell^2(G)$. Following Connes, $M_{\ell}$ can be used as a ``Dirac'' operator for $C_r^*(G)$. It defines a Lipschitz seminorm on $C_r^*(G)$, which defines a metric on the state space of $C_r^*(G)$. We investigate whether the topology from this metric coincides with the weak-* topology (our definition of a ``compact quantum metric space''). We give an affirmative answer for $G = {\mathbb Z}^d$ when $\ell$ is a word-length, or the restriction to ${\mathbb Z}^d$ of a norm on ${\mathbb R}^d$. This works for $C_r^*(G)$ twisted by a 2-cocycle, and thus for non-commutative tori. Our approach involves Connes' cosphere algebra, and an interesting compactification of metric spaces which is closely related to geodesic rays.
math.OA↗
Matrix algebras converge to the sphere for quantum Gromov--Hausdorff distance
On looking at the literature associated with string theory one finds statements that a sequence of matrix algebras converges to the 2-sphere (or to other spaces). There is often careful bookkeeping with lengths, which suggests that one is dealing with ``quantum metric spaces''. We show how to make these ideas precise by means of Berezin quantization using coherent states. We work in the general setting of integral coadjoint orbits for compact Lie groups.
math.OA↗
Wavelet filter functions, the matrix completion problem, and projective modules over $C(\mathbb T^n)$
We discuss how one can use certain filters from signal processing to describe isomorphisms between certain projective $C(\mathbb T^n)$-modules. Conversely, we show how cancellation properties for finitely generated projective modules over $C(\mathbb T^n)$ can often be used to prove the existence of continuous high pass filters, of the kind needed for multivariate wavelets, corresponding to a given continuous low-pass filter. However, we also give an example of a continuous low-pass filter for which it is impossible to find corresponding continuous high-pass filters. In this way we give another approach to the solution of the matrix completion problem for filters of the kind arising in wavelet theory.
math.FA↗
Metrics on State Spaces
In contrast to the usual Lipschitz seminorms associated to ordinary metrics on compact spaces, we show by examples that Lipschitz seminorms on possibly non-commutative compact spaces are usually not determined by the restriction of the metric they define on the state space, to the extreme points of the state space. We characterize the Lipschitz norms which are determined by their metric on the whole state space as being those which are lower semicontinuous. We show that their domain of Lipschitz elements can be enlarged so as to form a dual Banach space, which generalizes the situation for ordinary Lipschitz seminorms. We give a characterization of the metrics on state spaces which come from Lipschitz seminorms. The natural (broader) setting for these results is provided by the ``function spaces'' of Kadison. A variety of methods for constructing Lipschitz seminorms is indicated.
math.OA↗
Integrable and proper actions on C*-algebras, and square-integrable representations of groups
We propose a definition of what should be meant by a {\it proper} action of a locally compact group on a C*-algebra. We show that when the C*-algebra is commutative this definition exactly captures the usual notion of a proper action on a locally compact space. We then discuss how one might define a {\it generalized fixed-point algebra}. The goal is to show that the generalized fixed-point algebra is strongly Morita equivalent to an ideal in the crossed product algebra, as happens in the commutative case. We show that one candidate gives the desired algebra when the C*-algebra is commutative. But very recently Exel has shown that this candidate is too big in general. Finally, we consider in detail the application of these ideas to actions of a locally compact group on the algebra of compact operators (necessarily coming from unitary representations), and show that this gives an attractive view of the subject of square-integrable representations.
math.OA↗
Metrics on states from actions of compact groups
Let a compact Lie group act ergodically on a unital $C^*$-algebra $A$. We consider several ways of using this structure to define metrics on the state space of $A$. These ways involve length functions, norms on the Lie algebra, and Dirac operators. The main thrust is to verify that the corresponding metric topologies on the state space agree with the weak-$*$ topology.
math.OA↗
Questions on quantization
We pose 22 relatively general questions about quantization in the operator algebra setting. In the process we briefly survey some recent developments.
quant-ph↗
On the operator algebra for the space-time uncertainty relations
The purpose of this note is to show that the construction of the C*-algebra for the space-time uncertainty relations which was introduced by Doplicher, Fredenhagen and Roberts fits comfortably into the strict deformation quantization construction introduced earlier by the author.
funct-an↗
The classical limit of dynamics for spaces quantized by an action of $R^d$
We have previously shown how to construct a deformation quantization of any locally compact space on which a vector group acts. Within this framework we show here that, for a natural class of Hamiltonians, the quantum evolutions will have the classical evolution as their classical limit.
funct-an↗