Purely infinite C*-algebras of real rank zero

Abstract

We show that a separable purely infinite C*-algebra is of real rank zero if and only if its primitive ideal space has a basis consisting of compact-open sets and the natural map K_0(I) -> K_0(I/J) is surjective for all closed two-sided ideals J contained in I in the C*-algebra. It follows in particular that if A is any separable C*-algebra, then A tensor O_2 is of real rank zero if and only if the primitive ideal space of A has a basis of compact-open sets, which again happens if and only if A tensor O_2 has the ideal property, also known as property (IP).

arXiv comment24 pages. Revised version. Two earlier versions were mixtures of old and new versions, and even worse, the bibliography was missing in version 2!