Similarity degree of a class of C$^*$-algebras

Abstract

Suppose that $\mathcal M$ is a countably decomposable type II$_1$ von Neumann algebra and $\mathcal A$ is a separable, non-nuclear, unital C$^*$-algebra. We show that, if $\mathcal M$ has Property $\Gamma$, then the similarity degree of $\mathcal M$ is less than or equal to $5$. If $\mathcal A$ has Property c$^*$-$\Gamma$, then the similarity degree of $\mathcal A$ is equal to $3$. In particular, the similarity degree of a $\mathcal Z$-stable, separable, non-nuclear, unital C$^*$-algebra is equal to $3$.