Dimension theory of arbitrary modules over finite von Neumann algebras and applications to $L^2$-Betti numbers

dc.creatorLueck, Wolfgang
dc.date1997-07-10
dc.date.accessioned2026-07-07T09:13:15Z
dc.date.available2026-07-07T09:13:15Z
dc.descriptionWe define for arbitrary modules over a finite von Neumann algebra $\cala$ a dimension taking values in $[0,\infty]$ which extends the classical notion of von Neumann dimension for finitely generated projective $\cala$-modules and inherits all its useful properties such as additivity, cofinality and continuity. This allows to define $L^2$-Betti numbers for arbitrary topological spaces with an action of a discrete group $Γ$ extending the well-known definition for regular coverings of compact manifolds. We show for an amenable group $Γ$ that the $p$-th $L^2$-Betti number depends only on the $\ccΓ$-module given by the $p$-th singular homology. Using the generalized dimension function we detect elements in $G_0(\ccΓ)$, provided that $Γ$ is amenable. We investigate the class of groups for which the zero-th and first $L^2$-Betti numbers resp. all $L^2$-Betti numbers vanish. We study $L^2$-Euler characteristics and introduce for a discrete group $Γ$ its Burnside group extending the classical notions of Burnside ring and Burnside ring congruences for finite $Γ$. Keywords: Dimension functions for finite von Neumann algebras, $L^2$-Betti numbers, amenable groups, Grothendieck groups, Burnside groups
dc.description34 pages, AMS-Latex2e
dc.identifierhttps://arxiv.org/abs/dg-ga/9707011
dc.identifierhttp://arxiv.org/abs/dg-ga/9707011
dc.identifier.urihttp://salesiana.dossiersoluciones.com/handle/123456789/152260
dc.subjectDifferential Geometry
dc.subject55T99, 46L99
dc.titleDimension theory of arbitrary modules over finite von Neumann algebras and applications to $L^2$-Betti numbers
dc.typetext

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