C*-algebras of Hilbert module product systems
Abstract
Description
We consider a class of C*-algebras associated to one parameter continuous tensor product systems of Hilbert modules, which can be viewed as continuous counterparts of Pimsner's Toeplitz algebras. By exhibiting a homotopy of quasihomomorphisms, we prove that those algebras are $K$-contractible. One special case is closely related to the Rieffel-Wiener-Hopf extension of a crossed product by R considered by Rieffel and by Pimsner and Voiculescu, and can be used to produce a new proof of Connes' analogue of the Thom isomorphism and in particular of Bott periodicity. Another special case is closely related to Arveson's spectral C*-algebras, and is used to settle Arveson's problem of computing their K-theory, extending earlier results of Zacharias to cover the general case.
11 pages (added an example and an appendix, corrected typos and improved exposition)
11 pages (added an example and an appendix, corrected typos and improved exposition)