Goldie dimension for C*-algebras

In this article, we introduce and study the notion of Goldie dimension for C*-algebras. We prove that a C*-algebra A has Goldie dimension n if and only if the dimension of the center of its local multiplier algebra is n. In this case, A has finite-dimensional center and its primitive spectrum is extremally disconnected. If moreover, A is extending, we show that it decomposes into a direct sum of n prime C*-algebras. In particular, every stably finite, exact C*-algebra with Goldie dimension, that has the projection property and a strictly full element, admits a full projection and a non-zero densely defined lower semi-continuous trace. Finally we show that certain C*-algebras with Goldie dimension (not necessarily simple, separable or nuclear) are classifiable by the Elliott invariant.