Equivariant $\mathrm{C}^*$-correspondences and compact quantum group actions on Pimsner algebras

Abstract: Let $G$ be a compact quantum group. We show that given a $G$-equivariant $\mathrm{C}^*$-correspondence $E$, the Pimsner algebra $\mathcal{O}_E$ can be naturally made into a $G$-$\mathrm{C}^*$-algebra. We also provide sufficient conditions under which it is guaranteed that a $G$-action on the Pimsner algebra $\mathcal{O}_E$ arises in this way, in a suitable precise sense. When $G$ is of Kac type, a $\mathrm{KMS}$ state on the Pimsner algebra, arising from a quasi-free dynamics, is $G$-equivariant if and only if the tracial state obtained from restricting it to the coefficient algebra is $G$-equivariant, under a natural condition. We apply these results to the situation when the $\mathrm{C}^*$-correspondence is obtained from a finite, directed graph and draw various conclusions on the quantum automorphism groups of such graphs, both in the sense of Banica and Bichon.