Infinite dimensional Riemannian symmetric spaces with fixed-sign curvature operator

Abstract: We associate to any Riemannian symmetric space (of finite or infinite dimension) a L$^*$-algebra, under the assumption that the curvature operator has a fixed sign. L$^*$-algebras are Lie algebras with a pleasant Hilbert space structure. The L$^*$-algebra that we construct is a complete local isomorphism invariant and allows us to classify Riemannian symmetric spaces with fixed-sign curvature operator. The case of nonpositive curvature is emphasized.