Covering Dimension for Nuclear C*-algebras

Abstract

We introduce the completely positive rank, a notion of covering dimension for nuclear $C^*$-algebras and analyze some of its properties. The completely positive rank behaves nicely with respect to direct sums, quotients, ideals and inductive limits. For abelian $C^*$-algebras it coincides with covering dimension of the spectrum and there are similar results for continuous trace algebras. As it turns out, a $C^*$-algebra is zero-dimensional precisely if it is $AF$. We consider various examples, particularly of one-dimensional $C^*$-algebras, like the irrational rotation algebras, the Bunce-Deddens algebras or Blackadar's simple unital projectionless $C^*$-algebra. Finally, we compare the completely positive rank to other concepts of noncommutative covering dimension, such as stable or real rank.