Hilbert C*-Modules

Based on lectures delivered by the authors at Moscow State University, this volume presents a detailed introduction to the theory of Hilbert C -modules. Hilbert C -modules provide a natural generalization of Hilbert spaces arising when the field of scalars mathbf C is replaced by an arbitrary C -algebra. The general theory of Hilbert C -modules appeared more than 30 years ago in the pioneering papers of W. Paschke and M. Rieffel and has proved to be a powerful tool in operator algebras theory, index theory of elliptic operators, K - and KK -theory, and in noncommutative geometry as a whole. Alongside these applications, the theory of Hilbert C -modules is interesting on its own. In this book, the authors explain in detail the basic notions and results of the theory, and provide a number of important examples. Some results related to the authors' research interests are also included.