PlanetMath (more info)
 Math for the people, by the people. Sponsor PlanetMath
Encyclopedia | Requests | Forums | Docs | Wiki | Random | RSS  
Login
create new user
name:
pass:
forget your password?
Main Menu
Owner confidence rating: High Entry average rating: No information on entry rating
von Neumann double commutant theorem (Theorem)

The von Neumann double commutant theorem is a remarkable result in the theory of self-adjoint algebras of operators on Hilbert spaces, as it expresses purely topological aspects of these algebras in terms of purely algebraic properties.

$\,$

Theorem - von Neumann double commutant - Let $H$ be a Hilbert space and $B(H)$ its algebra of bounded operators. Let $\mathcal{M}$ be a *-subalgebra of $B(H)$ that contains the identity operator. The following statements are equivalent:

  1. $\mathcal M = \mathcal M''$ , i.e. $\mathcal M$ equals its double commutant.
  2. $\mathcal M$ is closed in the weak operator topology.
  3. $\mathcal M$ is closed in the strong operator topology.

$\,$

Thus, a purely topological property of a $\mathcal{M}$ , as being closed for some operator topology, is equivalent to a purely algebraic property, such as being equal to its double commutant.

This result is also known as the bicommutant theorem or the von Neumann density theorem.




Anyone with an account can edit this entry. Please help improve it!

"von Neumann double commutant theorem" is owned by asteroid.
(view preamble | get metadata)

View style:

Other names:  double commutant theorem, bicommutant theorem, von Neumann bicommutant theorem, von Neumann density theorem

Attachments:
proof of von Neumann double commutant theorem (Proof) by asteroid
Log in to rate this entry.
(view current ratings)

Cross-references: operator topology, strong operator topology, weak operator topology, closed, double commutant, equivalent, identity operator, contains, bounded operators, algebra, theorem, properties, algebraic, terms, Hilbert spaces, operators, algebras, self-adjoint, theory
There are 5 references to this entry.

This is version 1 of von Neumann double commutant theorem, born on 2008-12-30.
Object id is 11421, canonical name is VonNeumannDoubleCommutantTheorem.
Accessed 1214 times total.

Classification:
AMS MSC46H35 (Functional analysis :: Topological algebras, normed rings and algebras, Banach algebras :: Topological algebras of operators)
 46K05 (Functional analysis :: Topological algebras with an involution :: General theory of topological algebras with involution)
 46L10 (Functional analysis :: Selfadjoint operator algebras :: General theory of von Neumann algebras)

Pending Errata and Addenda
None.
Discussion
Style: Expand: Order:
forum policy

No messages.

Interact
post | correct | update request | prove | add result | add corollary | add example | add (any)