Coarse decomposition of II$_1$ factors

Abstract

We prove that any separable II$_1$ factor $M$ admits a {\it coarse decomposition} over the hyperfinite II$_1$ factor $R$, i.e., there exists an embedding $R\hookrightarrow M$ such that $L^2M\ominus L^2R$ is a multiple of the coarse Hilbert $R$-bimodule $L^2R \overline{\otimes} L^2R^{op}$ (equivalently, the von Neumann algebra generated by left and right multiplication by $R$ on $L^2M\ominus L^2R$ is isomorphic to $R\overline{\otimes}R^{op}$). Moreover, if $Q\subset M$ is an infinite index irreducible subfactor, then $R\hookrightarrow M$ can be constructed so that to also be coarse with respect to $Q$. This result implies existence of MASAs that are mixing, strongly malnormal, and with infinite multiplicity, in any separable II$_1$ factor.