Free group $C^*$-algebras associated with $\ell_p$

Abstract

For every $p\geq 2$, we give a characterization of positive definite functions on a free group with finitely many generators, which can be extended to the positive linear functionals on the free group $C^*$-algebra associated with the ideal $\ell_p$. This is a generalization of Haagerup's characterization for the case of the reduced free group $C^*$-algebra. As a consequence, the associated $C^*$-algebras are mutually non-isomorphic, and they have a unique tracial state.