Connes-embeddability and twisted group von Neumann algebras

Abstract

We call a countable discrete group cocycle-hyperlinear if all its twisted group von Neumann algebras are Connes-embeddable. We show that the class of cocycle-hyperlinear groups includes extensions of treeable groups by amenable groups and central extensions of SL(n,Z), GL(n,Z) and PSL(n,Z) for n greater than 1. We also show that this class is closed under taking direct products, free products, amalgamated free products with amenable amalgams, HNN extensions by amenable groups, as well as certain quotients, extensions, and overgroups.

arXiv commentv1: 26 pages; comments welcome!