Operator Algebras with Contractive Approximate Identities

Abstract

AbstractWe study operator algebras with contractive approximate identities and their double centralizer algebras. These operator algebras can be characterized as L∞- Banach algebras with contractive approximate identities. We provide two examples, which show that given a non-unital operator algebra A with a contractive approximate identity, its double centralizer algebra M(A) may admit different operator algebra matrix norms, with which M(A) contains A as an M-ideal. On the other hand, we show that there is a unique operator algebra matrix norm on the unitalization algebra A1 of A such that A1 contains A as an M-ideal.