Arveson's extension theorem in *-algebras

Abstract

Arveson's extension theorem asserts that B(H) is an injective object in the category of operator systems. Calling every self adjoint unital subspace of a unital *-algebra, a quasi operator system, we show that Arveson's theorem remains valid in the much larger category of quasi operator systems. This shows that Arveson's theorem as a non commutative extension of Hahn-Banach theorem, is of purely algebraic nature.