Model structure on projective systems of $C^*$-algebras and bivariant homology theories

Abstract

Using the machinery of weak fibration categories due to Schlank and the first author, we construct a convenient model structure on the pro-category of separable $C^*$-algebras $\mathrm{Pro}(\mathtt{SC^*})$. The opposite of this model category models the $\infty$-category of pointed noncommutative spaces $\mathtt{N}\mathcal{S_*}$ defined by the third author. Our model structure on $\mathrm{Pro}(\mathtt{SC^*})$ extends the well-known category of fibrant objects structure on $\mathtt{SC^*}$. We show that the pro-category $\mathrm{Pro}(\mathtt{SC^*})$ also contains, as a full coreflective subcategory, the category of pro-$C^*$-algebras that are cofiltered limits of separable $C^*$-algebras. By stabilizing our model category we produce a general model categorical formalism for triangulated and bivariant homology theories of $C^*$-algebras (or, more generally, that of pointed noncommutative spaces), whose stable $\infty$-categorical counterparts were constructed earlier by the third author. Finally, we use our model structure to develop a bivariant $\mathrm{K}$-theory for all projective systems of separable $C^*$-algebras generalizing the construction of Bonkat and show that our theory naturally agrees with that of Bonkat under some reasonable assumptions.