Bratteli diagram

In mathematics, a Bratteli diagram is a combinatorial structure: a graph composed of vertices labelled by positive integers ("level") and unoriented edges between vertices having levels differing by one. The notion was introduced by Ola Bratteli^[1] in 1972 in the theory of operator algebras to describe directed sequences of finite-dimensional algebras: it played an important role in Elliott's classification of AF-algebras and the theory of subfactors. Subsequently Anatoly Vershik associated dynamical systems with infinite paths in such graphs.^[2]

Definition

A Bratteli diagram is given by the following objects:

• A sequence of sets V_n ('the vertices at level n ') labeled by positive integer set N. In some literature each element v of V_n is accompanied by a positive integer b_v > 0.
• A sequence of sets E_n ('the edges from level n to n + 1 ') labeled by N, endowed with maps s: E_n → V_n and r: E_n → V_n+1, such that:
  • For each v in V_n, the number of elements e in E_n with s(e) = v is finite.
  • So is the number of e ∈ E_n−1 with r(e) = v.
  • When the vertices have markings by positive integers b_v, the number a_v, v ' of the edges with s(e) = v and r(e) = v' for v ∈ V_n and v' ∈ V_n+1 satisfies b_v a_v, v' ≤ b_v'.

A customary way to pictorially represent Bratteli diagrams is to align the vertices according to their levels, and put the number b_v beside the vertex v, or use that number in place of v, as in

1 = 2 − 3 − 4 ...

\ 1 ∠ 1 ∠ 1 ... .

An ordered Bratteli diagram is a Bratteli diagram together with a partial order on E_n such that for any v ∈ V_n the set { e ∈ E_n-1 : r(e)=v } is totally ordered. Edges that do not share a common range vertex are incomparable. This partial order allows us to define the set of all maximal edges E_max and the set of all minimal edges E_min. A Bratteli diagram with a unique infinitely long path in E_max and E_min is called essentially simple. ^[3]

Sequence of finite-dimensional algebras

Any semisimple algebra over the complex numbers C of finite dimension can be expressed as a direct sum ⊕_k M_nk(C) of matrix algebras, and the C-algebra homomorphisms between two such algebras up to inner automorphisms on both sides are completely determined by the multiplicity number between 'matrix algebra' components. Thus, an injective homomorphism of ⊕_k=1ⁱ M_nk(C) into ⊕_l=1^j M_ml(C) may be represented by a collection of positive numbers a_{k, l} satisfying ∑ n_k a_k, l ≤ m_l. (The equality holds if and only if the homomorphism is unital; we can allow non-injective homomorphisms by allowing some a_k,l to be zero.) This can be illustrated as a bipartite graph having the vertices marked by numbers (n_k)_k on one hand and the ones marked by (m_l)_l on the other hand, and having a_k, l edges between the vertex n_k and the vertex m_l.

Thus, when we have a sequence of finite-dimensional semisimple algebras A_n and injective homomorphisms φ_n : A_n' → A_n+1: between them, we obtain a Bratteli diagram by putting

V_n = the set of simple components of A_n

(each isomorphic to a matrix algebra), marked by the size of matrices.

(E_n, r, s): the number of the edges between M_nk(C) ⊂ A_n and M_ml(C) ⊂ A_n+1 is equal to the multiplicity of M_nk(C) into M_ml(C) under φ_n.

Sequence of split semisimple algebras

Any semisimple algebra (possibly of infinite dimension) is one whose modules are completely reducible, i.e. they decompose into the direct sum of simple modules. Let $A_0 \subseteq A_1 \subseteq A_2 \subseteq \cdots$ be a chain of split semisimple algebras, and let $\hat A_i$ be the indexing set for the irreducible representations of $A_i$. Denote by $A_i^\lambda$ the irreducible module indexed by $\lambda \in \hat A_i$. Because of the inclusion $A_i \subseteq A_{i+1}$, any $A_{i+1}$-module $M$ restricts to a $A_i$-module. Let $g_{\lambda, \mu}$ denote the decomposition numbers
$A_{i+1}^{\mu} \downarrow^{A_{i+1}}_{A_i} = \bigoplus_{\lambda \in \hat A_i} g_{\lambda,\mu} A_i^{\lambda}.$
The Bratteli diagram for the chain $A_0 \subseteq A_1 \subseteq A_2 \subseteq \cdots$ is obtained by placing one vertex for every element of $\hat A_i$ on level $i$ and connecting a vertex $\lambda$ on level $i$ to a vertex $\mu$ on level $i+1$ with $g_{\lambda,\mu}$ edges.

Examples

Bratteli diagram for Brauer and BMW algebras on i=0,1,2,3, and 4 strands.

(1) If $A_i = S_i$, the ith symmetric group, the corresponding Bratteli diagram is the same as Young's lattice.

(2) If $A_i$ is the Brauer algebra or the Birman-Wenzl algebra on i strands, then the resulting Bratteli diagram has partitions of i-2k (for $k=0,1,2,\ldots,\lfloor i/2 \rfloor$) with one edge between partitions on adjacent levels if one can be obtained from the other by adding or subtracting 1 from a single part.

(3) If $A_i$ is the Temperley-Lieb algebra on i strands, the resulting Bratteli has integers i-2k (for $k=0,1,2,\ldots,\lfloor i/2 \rfloor$) with one edge between integers on adjacent levels if one can be obtained from the other by adding or subtracting 1.

See also

• Bratteli–Vershik diagram

References

1. Bratteli, Ola (1972). "Inductive limits of finite dimensional C^*-algebras". Trans. Amer. Math. Soc. 171: 195–234. doi:10.1090/s0002-9947-1972-0312282-2. Zbl 0264.46057.
2. Vershik, A.M. (1985). "A theorem on the Markov periodic approximation in ergodic theory". J. Sov. Math. 28: 667–674. doi:10.1007/bf02112330. Zbl 0559.47006.
3. Herman, Richard H. and Putnam, Ian F. and Skau, Christian F.Ordered Bratteli diagrams, dimension groups and topological dynamics. International Journal of Mathematics, volume 3, number 6. 1992, pp. 827-864.

• Halverson, Tom; Ram, Arun (1995). "Characters of algebras containing a Jones basic construction: The Temperley-Lieb, Okada, Brauer, and Birman-Wenzl algebras". Adv. Math. 116 (2): 263–321. doi:10.1006/aima.1995.1068. ISSN 0001-8708. Zbl 0856.16038.
• Davidson, Kenneth R. (1996). C*-algebras by example. Fields Institute Monographs 6. Providence, RI: American Mathematical Society. ISBN 0-8218-0599-1. Zbl 0958.46029.
• Rørdam, Mikael; Larsen, Flemming; Laustsen, Niels (2000). An introduction to K-theory for C*-algebras. London Mathematical Society Student Texts 49. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-78334-8. Zbl 0967.19001.
• Durand, Fabien (2010). "6. Combinatorics on Bratteli diagrams and dynamical systems". In Berthé, Valérie; Rigo, Michael. Combinatorics, automata, and number theory. Encyclopedia of Mathematics and its Applications 135. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. 324–372. ISBN 978-0-521-51597-9. Zbl 1272.37006.