Homotopy Classification of Projections in the Corona Algebra of a Non-simple C*-algebra

Abstract

AbstractWe study projections in the corona algebra of C(X) ⊗ K, where K is the C*-algebra of compact operators on a separable infinite dimensional Hilbert space and X = [0, 1], [0,∞), (−∞,∞), or [0, 1]/﹛0, 1﹜. Using BDF's essential codimension, we determine conditions for a projection in the corona algebra to be liftable to a projection in the multiplier algebra. We also determine the conditions for two projections to be equal in K0, Murray-von Neumann equivalent, unitarily equivalent, or homotopic. In light of these characterizations, we construct examples showing that the equivalence notions above are all distinct.