# Spectrum of a C*-algebra

Jump to: navigation, search

The set of unitary equivalence classes of irreducible representations of the $C^*$-algebra. The spectrum can be topologized if one declares that the closure of a subset is the family of all (equivalence classes of) representations whose kernels contain the intersection of the kernels of all the representations of this subset. For a commutative $C^*$-algebra, the resulting topological space coincides with the space of characters (which is homeomorphic to the space of maximal ideals, cf. Character of a $C^*$-algebra; Maximal ideal). In the general case, the spectrum of a $C^*$-algebra is the basis for decomposing its representations into direct integrals of irreducible representations.

#### References

 [1] J. Dixmier, "$C^*$ algebras" , North-Holland (1977) (Translated from French), Chap. 3

#### Comments

This topology on the spectrum of a $C^*$-algebra is called the hull-kernel topology, or Jacobson topology.

#### References

 [a1] W. Arveson, "An invitation to $C^*$-algebras" , Springer (1976) pp. Chapts. 3–4 [a2] G.K. Pedersen, "$C^*$-algebras and their automorphism groups" , Acad. Press (1979) pp. §4.1
How to Cite This Entry:
Spectrum of a C*-algebra. Encyclopedia of Mathematics. URL: http://www.encyclopediaofmath.org/index.php?title=Spectrum_of_a_C*-algebra&oldid=32181
This article was adapted from an original article by V.S. Shul'man (originator), which appeared in Encyclopedia of Mathematics - ISBN 1402006098. See original article