The Connes-Higson construction is an isomorphism

Abstract

Let $A$ be a separable $C^*$-algebra and $B$ a stable $C^*$-algebra containing a strictly positive element. We show that the group $\Ext(SA,B)$ of unitary equivalence classes of extensions of $SA$ by $B$, modulo the extensions which are asymptotically split, coincides with the group of homotopy classes of such extensions. This is done by proving that the Connes-Higson construction gives rise to an isomorphism between $\Ext(SA,B)$ and the $E$-theory group $E(A,B)$ of homotopy classes of asymptotic homomorphisms from $S^2A$ to $B$.