Spectral gap actions and invariant states

Abstract

We define spectral gap actions of discrete groups on von Neumann algebras and study their relations with invariant states. We will show that a finitely generated ICC group $\Gamma$ is inner amenable if and only if there exist more than one inner invariant states on the group von Neumann algebra $L(\Gamma )$. Moreover, a countable discrete group $\Gamma$ has property $(T)$ if and only if for any action $\alpha$ of $\Gamma$ on a von Neumann algebra $N$, every $\alpha$-invariant state on $N$ is a weak-${}^{\ast }$-limit of a net of normal $\alpha$-invariant states.

10 pages; to appear in Int. Math. Res. Notices