Non-commutative topology and K-theory for applications to topological insulators
Abstract
I will recall basic notions of operator K-theory as a non-commutative (C*-algebra) generalisation of topological K-theory. Twisted crossed products will be introduced as generalisations of group C*-algebras, and a model of Karoubi's K-theory, which makes sense for super-algebras, will be sketched. The motivation comes from physics, through the study of quantum mechanical symmetries, charged free quantum fields, and topological insulators. The relevant theorems, which are interesting in their own right but scattered in the literature, will be consolidated.