Simplicity of ultragraph algebras

Abstract

In this paper we analyze the structure of C*-algebras associated to ultragraphs, which are generalizations of directed graphs. We characterize the simple ultragraph algebras as well as deduce necessary and sufficient conditions for an ultragraph algebra to be purely infinite and to be AF. Using these techniques we also produce an example of an ultragraph algebra which is neither a graph algebra nor an Exel-Laca algebra. We conclude by proving that the C*-algebras of ultragraphs with no sinks are Cuntz-Pimsner algebras.