Abstract bivariant Cuntz semigroups

Abstract

We show that abstract Cuntz semigroups form a closed symmetric monoidal category. Thus, given Cuntz semigroups $S$ and $T$, there is another Cuntz semigroup $[[S,T]]$ playing the role of morphisms from $S$ to $T$. Applied to C$^*$-algebras $A$ and $B$, the semigroup $[[\mathrm{Cu}(A),\mathrm{Cu}(B)]]$ should be considered as the target in analogues of the UCT for bivariant theories of Cuntz semigroups. Abstract bivariant Cuntz semigroups are computable in a number of interesting cases. We also show that order-zero maps between C$^*$-algebras naturally define elements in the respective bivariant Cuntz semigroup.