Description

The first book devoted to the general theory of finite von Neumann algebras. Providing an introductory yet thorough account of the methods that underlie the theory of subalgebras of finite von Neumann algebras, this book contains a substantial amount of current research material and is ideal for those studying operator algebras. All proofs are given in considerable detail. Providing an introductory yet thorough account of the methods that underlie the theory of subalgebras of finite von Neumann algebras, this book contains a substantial amount of current research material and is ideal for those studying operator algebras. All proofs are given in considerable detail. A thorough account of the methods that underlie the theory of subalgebras of finite von Neumann algebras, this book contains a substantial amount of current research material and is ideal for those studying operator algebras. The conditional expectation, basic construction and perturbations within a finite von Neumann algebra with a fixed faithful normal trace are discussed in detail. The general theory of maximal abelian self-adjoint subalgebras (masas) of separable II1 factors is presented with illustrative examples derived from group von Neumann algebras. The theory of singular masas and Sorin Popa's methods of constructing singular and semi-regular masas in general separable II1 factor are explored. Appendices cover the ultrapower of a II1 factor and the properties of unbounded operators required for perturbation results. Proofs are given in considerable detail and standard basic examples are provided, making the book understandable to postgraduates with basic knowledge of von Neumann algebra theory. General introduction; 1. Masas in B(H); 2. Finite von Neumann algebras; 3. The basic construction; 4. Projections and partial isometries; 5. Normalisers, orthogonality, and distances; 6. The Pukánszky invariant; 7. Operators in L; 8. Perturbations; 9. General perturbations; 10. Singular masas; 11. Existence of special masas; 12. Irreducible hyperfinite subfactors; 13. Maximal injective subalgebras; 14. Masas in non-separable factors; 15. Singly generated II1 factors; Appendix A. The ultrapower and property Γ; Appendix B. Unbounded operators; Appendix C. The trace revisited; Index. 'Sinclair and Smith's monograph is very well written … well suited for graduate students who have been given a first course on operator algebras, for Ph.D. students who have started working on finite von Neumann algebras, but also for specialists because it gathers much useful and technical material.' Mathematical Reviews '… suitable for graduate students wanting to learn this part of mathematics.' EMS Newsletter