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Sorin Popa

Publications and source records attributed to Sorin Popa.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2026

Compressible subalgebras in II$_1$ factors

Given a II$_1$ factor $M$, a W$^*$-subalgebra $Q\subset M$ is {\it compressible} if for any $\varepsilon>0$ there exists a finite set of unitary elements $\Cal U_0\subset \Cal U(M)$ such that $\| \frac{1}{|\Cal U_0|}\sum_{u\in \Cal U_0} uxu^* -E_{1\otimes \Bbb M_K(\Bbb C)}(x)\|\leq \varepsilon$, $\forall K\geq 1$, $\forall x\in (Q\otimes \Bbb M_K(\Bbb C))_1$. Any W$^*$-subalgebra $Q$ in a II$_1$ factor $M$ which admits a diffuse W$^*$-algebra $Q_0\subset M$ that's free independent to $Q$, is compressible in $M$. We prove that if $Q\subset M$ is compressible, then $_NL^2M_Q$ contains a copy of the coarse $N-Q$ bimodule for any AFD subalgebra $N\subset M$. We use this result to provide examples of inclusions of factors $M\subset \Cal M$ that are ergodic but not AFD-ergodic, even after stabilizing by $\Cal B(\ell^2\Bbb N)$.

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arXiv2026

Maximal amenable MASAs of radial type in the free group factors

We prove that if $\{(M_j, τ_j)\}_{j\in J}$ are tracial von Neumann algebras, $s_j \in M_j$ are selfadjoint semicircular elements and $t=(t_j)_j$ is a square summable $J$-tuple of real numbers with at least two non-zero entries, then the von Neumann algebra $A(t)$ generated by the ``weighted radial element'' $\sum_j t_j s_j\in M:=*_{j\in J} M_j$ is maximal amenable in $M$, with $A(t)$, $A(t')$ unitary conjugate in $M$ iff $t, t'$ are proportional. Letting $M_j$ be diffuse amenable, $\forall j$, this provides a large family of maximal amenable MASAs in the free group factor $L\mathbb F_n$.

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arXiv2026

Some classes of smooth bimodules over II$_1$ factors and their associated 1-cohomology spaces

We study several classes of Banach bimodules over a II$_1$ factor $M$, endowed with topologies that make them "smooth" with respect to $L^p$-norms implemented by the trace on $M$. Letting $M\subset \B= \B(L^2M)$, and $2\leq p < \infty$, we consider: $(1)$ the space $\B(p)$, obtained as the completion of $\B$ in the norm \[ \vertiii{T}_p := \sup \{|φ(T)| \mid φ\in \B^*, \sup\{|φ(xYz)| \mid Y\in (\B)_1, x, z \in M\cap (L^pM)_1\} \leq 1 \}; \] $(2)$ the subspace $\K(p)\subset \B(p)$, obtained as the closure in $\B(p)$ of the space of compact operators $\K(L^2M)$; $(3)$ the space $\K_p\subset \B$ of operators that are $\vertiii{ \, \cdot \, }_p$-limits of bounded sequences of operators in $\K(L^2M)$. We prove that $\K_p$ are all equal to the {\it $τ$-rank-completion} of $\K(L^2M)$ in $\B$, defined by \begin{align} \text{\rm q}\K_M:= \{K\in \B(L^2M) \mid & \exists K_n \in \K(L^2M), p_n\in \mathcal P(M), \nonumber \\ & \lim_n \|p_n(K-K_n)p_n\|= 0, \lim_nτ(1-p_n)=0\}. \nonumber \end{align} We show that any separable II$_1$ factor $M$ admits non-inner derivations into $\text{\rm q}\K_M$, but that any derivation $δ:M \rightarrow \text{\rm q}\K_M$ is a pointwise limit in $τ$-rank-metric of inner derivations.

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arXiv2024

On the singular abelian rank of ultraproduct II$_1$ factors

We prove that, under the continuum hypothesis $\frak c=\aleph_1$, any ultraproduct II$_1$ factor $M= \prod_ω M_n$ of separable finite factors $M_n$ contains more than $\frak c$ many mutually disjoint singular MASAs, in other words the {\it singular abelian rank of} $M$, $\text{\rm r}(M)$, is larger than $ \frak c$. Moreover, if the strong continuum hypothesis $2^{\frak c}=\aleph_2$ is assumed, then ${\text{\rm r}}(M) = 2^{\frak c}$. More generally, these results hold true for any II$_1$ factor $M$ with unitary group of cardinality $\frak c$ that satisfies the bicommutant condition $(A_0'\cap M)'\cap M=M$, for all $A_0\subset M$ separable abelian.

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arXiv2023

On the paving size of a subfactor

Given an inclusion of II$_1$ factors $N\subset M$ with finite Jones index, $[M:N]<\infty$, we prove that for any $F\subset M$ finite and $\varepsilon >0$, there exists a partition of $1$ with $r\leq \lceil 16\varepsilon^{-2}\rceil$ $\cdot \lceil 4 [M:N]\varepsilon^{-2}\rceil$ projections $p_1, ..., p_r\in N$ such that $\|\sum_{i=1}^r p_ixp_i - E_{N'\cap M}(x)\|\leq \varepsilon \|x-E_{N'\cap M}(x)\|$, $\forall x\in F$ (where $\lceil β\rceil$ denotes the least integer $\geq β$). We consider a series of related invariants for $N\subset M$, generically called {\it paving size}.

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arXiv2022

W*-representations of subfactors and restrictions on the Jones index

A {\it W$^*$-representation} of a II$_1$ subfactor $N\subset M$ with finite Jones index, $[M:N]<\infty$, is a non-degenerate commuting square embedding of $N\subset M$ into an inclusion of atomic von Neumann algebras $\oplus_{i\in I} \Cal B(\Cal K_i)=\Cal N \subset^{\Cal E} \Cal M=\oplus_{j\in J} \Cal B(\Cal H_j)$. We undertake here a systematic study of this notion, first introduced in [P92], giving examples and considering invariants such as the (bipartite) {\it inclusion graph} $Λ_{\Cal N \subset \Cal M}$, the {\it coupling vector} $(\text{\rm dim}(_M\Cal H_j))_j$ and the {\it RC-algebra} (relative commutant) $M'\cap \Cal N$, for which we establish some basic properties. We then prove that if $N\subset M$ admits a W$^*$-representation $\Cal N\subset^{\Cal E}\Cal M$, with the expectation $\Cal E$ preserving a semifinite trace on $\Cal M$, such that there exists a norm one projection of $\Cal M$ onto $M$ commuting with $\Cal E$, a property of $N\subset M$ that we call {\it weak injectivity/amenability}, then $[M:N]$ equals the square norm of the inclusion graph $Λ_{\Cal N \subset \Cal M}$.

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arXiv2022

W*-rigidity paradigms for embeddings of II$_1$ factors

We undertake a systematic study of W*-rigidity paradigms for the embeddability relation $\hookrightarrow$ between separable II$_1$ factors and its stable version $\hookrightarrow_s$, obtaining large families of non stably isomorphic II$_1$ factors that are mutually embeddable and families of II$_1$ factors that are mutually non stably embeddable. We provide an augmentation functor $G \mapsto H_G$ from the category of groups into icc groups, so that $L(H_{G_1}) \hookrightarrow_s L(H_{G_2})$ iff $G_1 \hookrightarrow G_2$. We construct complete intervals of II$_1$ factors, including a strict chain of II$_1$ factors $(M_k)_{k\in \mathbb{Z}}$ with the property that if $N$ is any II$_1$ factor with $M_i \hookrightarrow_s N$ and $N \hookrightarrow_s M_{j}$, then $N \cong M_k^t$ for some $i \leq k \leq j$ and $t > 0$.

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arXiv2020

On ergodic embeddings of factors

An inclusion of von Neumann factors $M \subset \Cal M$ is {\it ergodic} if it satisfies the irreducibility condition $M'\cap \Cal M=\Bbb C$. We investigate the relation between this and several stronger ergodicity properties, such as $R$-{\it ergodicity}, which requires $M$ to admit an embedding of the hyperfinite II$_1$ factor $R\hookrightarrow M$ that's ergodic in $\Cal M$. We prove that if $M$ is {\it continuous} (i.e., non type I) and contains a maximal abelian $^*$-subalgebra of $\Cal M$, then $M\subset \Cal M$ is $R$-ergodic. This shows in particular that any continuous factor contains an ergodic copy of $R$.

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arXiv2020

Coarse decomposition of II$_1$ factors

We prove that any separable II$_1$ factor $M$ admits a {\it coarse decomposition} over the hyperfinite II$_1$ factor $R$, i.e., there exists an embedding $R\hookrightarrow M$ such that $L^2M\ominus L^2R$ is a multiple of the coarse Hilbert $R$-bimodule $L^2R \overline{\otimes} L^2R^{op}$ (equivalently, the von Neumann algebra generated by left and right multiplication by $R$ on $L^2M\ominus L^2R$ is isomorphic to $R\overline{\otimes}R^{op}$). Moreover, if $Q\subset M$ is an infinite index irreducible subfactor, then $R\hookrightarrow M$ can be constructed so that to also be coarse with respect to $Q$. This result implies existence of MASAs that are mixing, strongly malnormal, and with infinite multiplicity, in any separable II$_1$ factor.

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arXiv2020

Tight decomposition of factors and the single generation problem

A II$_1$ factor $M$ has the {\it stable single generation} ({\it SSG}) property if any amplification $M^t$, $t>0$, can be generated as a von Neumann algebra by a single element. We discuss a conjecture stating that if $M$ is SSG, then $M$ has a {\it tight} decomposition, i.e., there exists a pair of hyperfinite II$_1$ subfactors $R_0, R_1 \subset M$ such that $R_0 \vee R_1^{op}=\Cal B(L^2M)$. We explain why this conjecture is interesting and discuss possible approaches to prove it. We also prove some related results.

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arXiv2019

On the vanishing cohomology problem for cocycle actions of groups on II$_1$ factors

We prove that any free cocycle action of a countable amenable group $Γ$ on any II$_1$ factor $N$ can be perturbed by inner automorphisms to a genuine action. This {\em vanishing cohomology} property, that we call $\mathcal V\mathcal C$, is also closed to free products with amalgamation over finite groups. But beyond this no other examples of $\mathcal V\mathcal C$-groups are known. In turn, by considering special cocycle actions $Γ\curvearrowright N$ in the case $N$ is the hyperfinite II$_1$ factor $R$, respectively the free group factor $N=L(\Bbb F_\infty)$, we exclude many groups from being $\mathcal V\mathcal C$. We also show that any free action $Γ\curvearrowright R$ gives rise to a free cocycle $Γ$-action on the II$_1$ factor $R'\cap R^ω$ whose vanishing cohomology is equivalent to Connes' Approximate Embedding property for the II$_1$ factor $R\rtimes Γ$.

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arXiv2019

Classification of regular subalgebras of the hyperfinite II_1 factor

We prove that the regular von Neumann subalgebras $B$ of the hyperfinite II_1 factor $R$ satisfying the condition $B'\cap R=Z(B)$ are completely classified (up to conjugacy by an automorphism of $R$) by the associated discrete measured groupoid $G$. We obtain a similar classification result for triple inclusions $A\subset B \subset R$, where $A$ is a Cartan subalgebra in $R$ and the intermediate von Neumann algebra $B$ is regular in $R$. A key step in proving these results is to show the vanishing cohomology for the associated cocycle actions of $G$ on $B$. We in fact prove two very general vanishing cohomology results for free cocycle actions of amenable discrete measured groupoids on arbitrary tracial von Neumann algebras $B$, resp. Cartan inclusions $A\subset B$. Our work provides a unified approach and generalizations to many known vanishing cohomology and classification results [CFW81], [O85], [ST84], [BG84], [FSZ88], [P18], etc.

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arXiv2018

Asymptotic orthogonalization of subalgebras in II$_1$ factors

Let $M$ be a II$_1$ factor with a von Neumann subalgebra $Q\subset M$ that has infinite index under any projection in $Q'\cap M$ (e.g., $Q$ abelian; or $Q$ an irreducible subfactor with infinite Jones index). We prove that given any separable subalgebra $B$ of the ultrapower II$_1$ factor $M^ω$, for a non-principal ultrafilter $ω$ on $\Bbb N$, there exists a unitary element $u\in M^ω$ such that $uBu^*$ is orthogonal to $Q^ω$.

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arXiv2018

Representing interpolated free group factors as group factors

We construct a one parameter family of ICC groups $\{G_t\}_{t>1}$, with the property that the group factor $L(G_t)$ is isomorphic to the interpolated free group factor $L(\mathbb F_t):=L(\mathbb{F}_2)^{1/\sqrt{t-1}}$, $\forall t$. Moreover, the groups $G_t$ have fixed cost $t$, are strongly treeable and freely generate any treeable ergodic equivalence relation of same cost.

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arXiv2017

Singular MASAs in type III factors and Connes' Bicentralizer Property

We show that any type ${\rm III_1}$ factor with separable predual satisfying Connes' Bicentralizer Property (CBP) has a singular maximal abelian $\ast$-subalgebra that is the range of a normal conditional expectation. We also investigate stability properties of CBP under finite index extensions/restrictions of type ${\rm III_1}$ factors.

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arXiv2017

Constructing MASAs with prescribed properties

We consider an iterative procedure for constructing maximal abelian $^*$-subalgebras (MASAs) satisfying prescribed properties in II$_1$ factors. This method pairs well with the intertwining by bimodules technique and with properties of the MASA and of the ambient factor that can be described locally. We obtain such a local characterization for II$_1$ factors $M$ that have an {\it s-MASA}, $A\subset M$ (i.e., for which $A \vee JAJ$ is maximal abelian in $\Cal B(L^2M)$), and use this strategy to prove that any factor in this class has uncountably many non-intertwinable singular (respectively semiregular) s-MASAs.

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arXiv2016

Cohomology and $L^2$-Betti numbers for subfactors and quasi-regular inclusions

We introduce $L^2$-Betti numbers, as well as a general homology and cohomology theory for the standard invariants of subfactors, through the associated quasi-regular symmetric enveloping inclusion of II_1 factors. We actually develop a (co)homology theory for arbitrary quasi-regular inclusions of von Neumann algebras. For crossed products by countable groups $Γ$, we recover the ordinary (co)homology of $Γ$. For Cartan subalgebras, we recover Gaboriau's $L^2$-Betti numbers for the associated equivalence relation. In this common framework, we prove that the $L^2$-Betti numbers vanish for amenable inclusions and we give cohomological characterizations of property (T), the Haagerup property and amenability. We compute the $L^2$-Betti numbers for the standard invariants of the Temperley-Lieb-Jones subfactors and of the Fuss-Catalan subfactors, as well as for free products and tensor products.

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