Spectral flow, in its simplest incarnation, counts the net number of eigenvalues which change sign as one traverses a path of self-adjoint Fredholm operators in the set of of bounded operators B(H) on a Hilbert space. A generalization of this idea changes the setting to a semifinite von Neumann algebra N and uses the trace τ to measure the amount of spectrum which changes from negative to positive along a path; the operators are still self-adjoint, but the Fredholm requirement is replaced by its von Neumann algebras counterpart, Breuer-Fredholm. Our work is ensconced in this semifinite von Neumann algebra setting. We prove a uniqueness result in the case when N is a factor. In the case when the operators under consideration are bounded perturbations of a fixed unbounded operator with τ-compact resolvents, we give a different proof of a p-summable integral formula which calculates spectral flow, and fill in some of the gaps in the proof that spectral flow can be viewed as an intersection number if N = B(H). / Graduate / 0280

In this paper the following conjecture is studied: the group von Neumann algebra N(G) is a flat CG-module if and only if the group G is locally virtually cyclic. This paper proves that if G is locally virtually cyclic, then N(G) is flat as a CG-module. The converse is proved for the class of all elementary amenable groups without infinite locally finite subgroups. Foundational cases for which the conjecture is shown to be true are the groups G=Z, G=ZxZ, G=Z*Z, Baumslag-Solitar groups, and some infinitely-presented variations of Baumslag-Solitar groups. Modules other than N(G), such as L^p-spaces and group C*-algebras, are considered as well. The primary tool that is used to achieve many of these results is group homology. / Ph. D.

This work is a compilation of structural results for the von Neumann algebras of poly-hyperbolic groups established in a series of works done jointly with I. Chifan and T. Sinclair; and S. Pant. These works provide a wide range of circumstances where the product structure, a discrete structural property, can be recovered from the von Neumann algebra (a continuous object). The primary result of Chifan, Sinclair and myself is as follows: if Γ = Γ1 × · · · × Γn is a product of non-elementary hyperbolic icc groups and Λ is a group such that L(Γ)=L(Λ), then Λ decomposes as an n-fold product of infinite groups. This provides a group-level strengthening of the unique prime decomposition of Ozawa and Popa by eliminating any assumption on the target group Λ. The methods necessary to establish this result provide a malleable procedure which allows one to rebuild the product of a group from the algebra itself. Modifying the techniques found in the previous work, Pant and I are able to demonstrate that the class of poly-groups exhibit a similar phenomenon. Specifically, if Γ is a poly-hyperbolic group whose corresponding algebra is non-prime, then the group must necessarily decompose as a product of infinite groups.

Chifan, Kida, and myself introduced a new class of non-amenable groups denoted by ${\bf NC} \cap {\bf Quot}(\mathcal C_{rss})$ which gives rise to \emph{prime} von Neumann algebras. This means that for every $\G\in {\bf NC} \cap {\bf Quot}(\mathcal C_{rss})$ its group von Neumann algebra $L(\G)$ cannot be decomposed as a tensor product of diffuse von Neumann algebras. The class ${\bf NC} \cap {\bf Quot}(\mathcal C_{rss})$ is fairly large as it contains many natural examples of groups, some intensively studied in various areas of mathematics: all infinite central quotients of pure surface braid groups; all mapping class groups of (punctured) surfaces of genus $0,1,2$; most Torelli groups and Johnson kernels of (punctured) surfaces of genus $0,1,2$; and, all groups hyperbolic relative to finite families of residually finite, exact, infinite, proper subgroups. In a separate investigation, de Santiago and myself were able to extend the previous techniques that allowed us to eliminate the usage of the {\bf NC} condition and ultimately classify all the possible tensor factorization of the von Neumann algebras of groups that belong solely to ${\bf Quot}(\mathcal C_{rss})$. This provides a far-reaching generalization of the aforementioned primeness results; for instance, we were able to show that if $\Gamma$ is a poly-hyperbolic group, then whenever we have a tensor decomposition $L(\G)\cong P_1\bar\otimes P_2 \bar \otimes \cdots \bar\otimes P_n$ then there exists a product decomposition $\G\cong \G_1\times \G_2 \times \cdots \times \G_n$ with $\G_i \in {\bf Quot}(\mathcal C_{rss})$ and, up to amplifications, we have $L(\G_i)\cong P_i$ for all $i=1,n$.

Through von Neumann's reduction theory, the classification of injective von Neumann algebras acting on separable Hilbert spaces translates into the classification of injective factors. In his proof of the uniqueness of the injective type II₁ factor, Connes showed an alternate characterization of the approximately inner automorphisms of type II₁ factors. Moreover, he conjectured that this characterization could be extended to all types of factors acting on separable Hilbert spaces. In this thesis, we present a general toolbox containing the basic notions needed to study von Neumann algebras, before describing our work concerning Connes' conjecture in the case of type IIIλ factors. We have obtained partial results towards the proof of a modified version of this conjecture.

We examine the amalgamated free product of hyperfinite von Neumann algebras. First we describe the amalgamated free product of hyperfinite von Neumann algebras over finite dimensional subalgebras. In this case the result is always the direct sum of a hyperfinite von Neumann algebra and a finite number of interpolated free group factors. We then show that this class is closed under this type of amalgamated free product. After that we allow amalgamation over possibly infinite dimensional multimatrix subalgebras. In this case the product of two hyperfinite von Neumann algebras is the direct sum of a hyperfinite von Neumann algebra and a countable direct sum of interpolated free group factors. As before, we show that this class is closed under amalgamated free products over multimatrix algebras.

We give a systematic study of the Hardy spaces of functions with values in the non-commutative Lp-spaces associated with a semifinite von Neumann algebra M. This is motivated by matrix valued harmonic analysis (operator weighted norm inequalities, operator Hilbert transform), as well as by the recent development of non-commutative martingale inequalities. Our non-commutative Hardy spaces are defined by non-commutative Lusin integral functions. It is proved in this dissertation that they are equivalent to those defined by the non-commutative Littlewood-Paley G-functions. We also study the Lp boundedness of operator valued dyadic paraproducts and prove that their Lq boundedness implies their Lp boundedness for all 1 < q < p < ∞.

In dieser Arbeit werden die Modularobjekte zu zyklischen und separierenden Vektoren für von-Neumann-Algebren untersucht. Besondere Beachtung erfahren dabei die Modularoperatoren und deren Spektraleigenschaften. Diese Eigenschaften werden genutzt, um Klassifikationen für Lösungen einiger inverser Probleme der Modulartheorie anzugeben. Im ersten Teil der Arbeit wird zunächst der Zusammenhang zwischen dem zyklischen und separierenden Vektor und seinen Modularobjekten mit Hilfe (verallgemeinerter) Spurvektoren für halbendliche und Typ $III_{\lambda}$ Algebren ($0<\lambda<1$) näher untersucht. Diese Untersuchungen erlauben es, das Spektrum der Modularoperatoren für Typ $I$ Algebren anzugeben. Dazu werden die Begriffe {\em zentraler Eigenwert} und zentrale Vielfachheit eingeführt. Weiterhin ergibt sich, dass die Modularoperatoren durch ihre Spektraleigenschaften eindeutig charakterisiert sind. Modularoperatoren für Typ $I_{n}$ Algebren sind genau die $n$-zerlegbaren Operatoren, die multiplikatives, zentrales Spektrum vom Typ $I_{n}$ besitzen. ähnliche Ergebnisse werden auch für Typ $II$ und $III_{\lambda}$ Algebren gewonnen unter der Vorausetzung, dass die zugehörigen Vektoren diagonalisierbar sind. Im zweiten Teil der Arbeit werden diese Ergebnisse exemplarisch auf ein inverses Problem der Modulartheorie angewendet. Dabei stellt sich heraus, dass die Begriffe zentraler Eigenwert und zentrale Vielfachheit Invarianten des inversen Problems sind und eine vollständige Klassifizierung seiner Lösungen unter obigen Voraussetzungen erlauben. Außerdem wird eine Klasse von Modularoperatoren untersucht, für die das inversese Problem nur ein oder zwei Lösungsklassen besitzt. / In this work modular objects of cyclic and separating vectors for von~Neumann~algebras are considered. In particular, the modular operators and their spectral properties are investigated. These properties are used to classify the solutions of some inverse problems in modular theory. In the first part of the work the correspondence between cyclic and separating vectors and their modular objects are considered for semifinite and type $III_{\lambda}$ algebras ($0<\lambda<1$) in more detail, where (generalized) trace vectors are used. These considerations allow to compute the spectrum of modular operators for type $I$ algebras. To this end, the notions of central eigenvalue and central multiplicity are introduced. Furthermore, it is stated that modular operators are uniquely determined by their spectral properties. Modular operators for type $I_{n}$ algebras are exactly the $n$-decomposable operators, which possess {\em multiplicative central spectrum of type $I_{n}$}. Similar results are derived for type $II$ and $III_{\lambda}$ algebras under the assumption that the corresponding vectors are diagonalizable. In the second part of this work these results are applied to an inverse problem of modular theory. It comes out, that the central eigenvalues and central multiplicities are invariants of this inverse problem and that they give a complete classification of its solutions. Moreover, a class of modular operators is investigated, whose inverse problem possesses only one or two classes of solutions.

Motivated by reductionism's current inability to encompass the quantum theory we explore an indivisible and dynamical wholeness as an underlying foundation for physics. After reviewing the role of wholeness in the quantum theory we set a philosophical background aiming at introducing an ontology, based on a dynamical wholeness. Equipped with the philosophical background we then propose a mathematical realization by representing the dynamics with a non-trivial elementary embedding from the mathematical universe to itself. By letting the embedding interact with itself through application we obtain a left-distributive universal algebra that is isomorphic to special braids. Via the connection between braids and quantum and statistical physics we show that a the mathematical structure obtained from wholeness yields known physics in a special case. In particular we point out the connections to algebras of observables, spin networks, and statistical mechanical models used in solid state physics, such as the Potts model. Furthermore we discuss the general case and there the possibility of interpreting the mathematical structure as a dynamics beyond unitary evolution, where entropy increase is involved.

In dieser Arbeit werden die Modularobjekte zu zyklischen und separierenden Vektoren für von-Neumann-Algebren untersucht. Besondere Beachtung erfahren dabei die Modularoperatoren und deren Spektraleigenschaften. Diese Eigenschaften werden genutzt, um Klassifikationen für Lösungen einiger inverser Probleme der Modulartheorie anzugeben. Im ersten Teil der Arbeit wird zunächst der Zusammenhang zwischen dem zyklischen und separierenden Vektor und seinen Modularobjekten mit Hilfe (verallgemeinerter) Spurvektoren für halbendliche und Typ III lambda Algebren (0 < lambda <1) näher untersucht. Diese Untersuchungen erlauben es, das Spektrum der Modularoperatoren für Typ I Algebren anzugeben. Dazu werden die Begriffe zentraler Eigenwert und zentrale Vielfachheit eingeführt. Weiterhin ergibt sich, dass die Modularoperatoren durch ihre Spektraleigenschaften eindeutig charakterisiert sind. Modularoperatoren für Typ I n Algebren sind genau die n-zerlegbaren Operatoren, die multiplikatives, zentrales Spektrum vom Typ I n besitzen. ähnliche Ergebnisse werden auch für Typ II und III lambda Algebren gewonnen unter der Vorausetzung, dass die zugehörigen Vektoren diagonalisierbar sind. Im zweiten Teil der Arbeit werden diese Ergebnisse exemplarisch auf ein inverses Problem der Modulartheorie angewendet. Dabei stellt sich heraus, dass die Begriffe zentraler Eigenwert und zentrale Vielfachheit Invarianten des inversen Problems sind und eine vollständige Klassifizierung seiner Lösungen unter obigen Voraussetzungen erlauben. Außerdem wird eine Klasse von Modularoperatoren untersucht, für die das inversese Problem nur ein oder zwei Lösungsklassen besitzt. / In this work modular objects of cyclic and separating vectors for von~Neumann~algebras are considered. In particular, the modular operators and their spectral properties are investigated. These properties are used to classify the solutions of some inverse problems in modular theory. In the first part of the work the correspondence between cyclic and separating vectors and their modular objects are considered for semifinite and type III lambda algebras (0 < lambda < 1) in more detail, where (generalized) trace vectors are used. These considerations allow to compute the spectrum of modular operators for type I n algebras. To this end, the notions of central eigenvalue and central multiplicity are introduced. Furthermore, it is stated that modular operators are uniquely determined by their spectral properties. Modular operators for type I n algebras are exactly the n-decomposable operators, which possess multiplicative central spectrum of type I n. Similar results are derived for type II and III lambda algebras under the assumption that the corresponding vectors are diagonalizable. In the second part of this work these results are applied to an inverse problem of modular theory. It comes out, that the central eigenvalues and central multiplicities are invariants of this inverse problem and that they give a complete classification of its solutions. Moreover, a class of modular operators is investigated, whose inverse problem possesses only one or two classes of solutions.