Index Theory In Von Neumann Algebras

The object of this paper is to define a natural analytic index function on an arbitrary von Neumann algebra relative to an arbitrary ideal. This index map enables us to develop a complete Fredholm and semi-Fredholm theory in this setting which is parallel to classical Fredholm and semi-Fredholm theory.

The text covers fundamentals of von Neumann algebras, including the Tomita's theory of von Neumann algebras and the latest developments.

After three decades since the first nearly complete edition of John von Neumann's papers, this book is a valuable selection of those papers and excerpts of his books that are most characteristic of his activity, and reveal that of his continuous influence.The results receiving the 1994 Nobel Prizes in economy deeply rooted in Neumann's game theory are only minor traces of his exceptionally broad spectrum of creativity and stimulation.The book is organized by the specific subjects-quantum mechanics, ergodic theory, operator algebra, hydrodynamics, economics, computers, science and society. In addition, one paper which was written in German will be translated and published in English for the first time.The sections are introduced by short explanatory notes with an emphasis on recent developments based on von Neumann's contributions. An overall picture is provided by Ulam's, one of his most intimate partners in thinking, 1958 memorial lecture. Facsimilae and translations of some of his personal letters and a newly completed bibliography based on von Neumann's own careful compilation are added.

This collection of papers by leading researchers provides a broad picture of current research directions in index theory. Based on lectures presented at the NSF-CBMS Regional Conference on $K$-Homology and Index Theory, held in August, 1991 at the University of Colorado at Boulder, the book provides both a careful exposition of new perspectives in classical index theory and an introduction to currently active areas of the field. Presented here are two new proofs of the classical Atiyah-Singer Index Theorem, as well as index theorems for manifolds with boundary and open manifolds. Index theory for semi-simple $p$-adic groups and the geometry of discrete groups are also discussed. Throughout the book, the application of operator algebras emerges as a central theme. Aimed at graduate students and researchers, this book is suitable as a text for an advanced graduate course on index theory.

This volume offers an introduction to recent developments in several active topics of research at the interface between geometry, topology and quantum field theory. These include Hopf algebras underlying renormalization schemes in quantum field theory, noncommutative geometry with applications to index theory on one hand and the study of aperiodic solids on the other, geometry and topology of low dimensional manifolds with applications to topological field theory, Chern-Simons supergravity and the anti de Sitter/conformal field theory correspondence. It comprises seven lectures organized around three main topics, noncommutative geometry, topological field theory, followed by supergravity and string theory, complemented by some short communications by young participants of the school. Contents:Noncommutative Geometry:Hopf Algebras in Noncommutative Geometry (J C Várilly)The Noncommutative Geometry of Aperiodic Solids (J Bellissard)Noncommutative Geometry and Abstract Integration Theory (M-T Benameur)Topological Field Theory:Introduction to Quantum Invariants of 3-Manifolds, Topological Quantum Field Theories and Modular Categories (C Blanchet)An Introduction to Donaldson–Witten Theory (M Mariño)Supergravity and String Theory:(Super)-Gravities Beyond 4 Dimensions (J Zanelli)Introductory Lectures on String Theory and the AdS/CFT Correspondence (A Pankiewicz & S Theisen)Short Communications:Group Contractions and Its Consequences Upon Representations of Different Spatial Symmetry Groups (M Ayala-Sánchez & R W Haase)Phase Anomalies as Trace Anomalies in Chern–Simons Theory (A Cardona)Deligne Cohomology for Orbifolds, Discrete Torsion and B-Fields (E Lupercio & B Uribe) Readership: Graduate students and researchers in theoretical and mathematical physics, as well as geometry and topology. Keywords:

The first book devoted to the general theory of finite von Neumann algebras.