The Ihara Zeta function for infinite graphs

Abstract

We put forward the concept of measure graphs. These are (possibly uncountable) graphs equipped with an action of a groupoid and a measure invariant under this action. Examples include finite graphs, periodic graphs, graphings and percolation graphs. Making use of Connes' non-commutative integration theory we construct a Zeta function and present a determinant formula for it. We further introduce a notion of weak convergence of measure graphs and show that our construction is compatible with it. The approximation of the Ihara Zeta function via the normalized version on finite graphs in the sense of Benjamini-Schramm follows as a special case. Our framework not only unifies corresponding earlier results occurring in the literature. It likewise provides extensions to rich new classes of objects such as percolation graphs.