Every $\mathrm{AW}^*$-Algebra is Normal

Abstract: Using set-theoretic methods, we prove that every $\mathrm{AW}<sup>*$-algebra is normal, resolving a question of Wright that has stood open for 46 years. This was previously known in the case of $\mathrm{AW}<sup>*$-factors, by work of Saitô and Wright. We also show that if there is a model $V$ of $\mathrm{ZFC}$ with an $\mathrm{AW}<sup>*$-algebra that fails to be monotone complete, then in some forcing extension of $V$ there is an $\mathrm{AW}<sup>*$-factor that fails to be monotone complete, implying that any $\mathrm{ZFC}$ proof that all $\mathrm{AW}<sup>*$-factors are monotone complete yields a $\mathrm{ZFC}$ proof that all $\mathrm{AW}<sup>*$-algebras are monotone complete. Both results build on transfer principles for Boolean-valued factor representations originally developed by Ozawa. This work was assisted by the Danus LLM orchestration system.