Structure of locally convex quasi $C^*$-algebras

Abstract

The completion of a (normed) $C^*$-algebra $A_0[\| \cdot \|_0]$ with respect to a locally convex topology $\tau$ on $A_0$ that makes the multiplication of $A_0$ separately continuous is, in general, a quasi *-algebra, and not a locally convex *-algebra. In this way, one is led to consideration of locally convex quasi $C^*$-algebras, which generalize $C^*$-algebras in the context of quasi *-algebras. Examples are given and the structure of these relatives of $C^*$-algebras is investigated.