Algebraic quantum groups and duality II. Multiplier Hopf *-algebras with positive integrals

In the paper Algebraic quantum groups and duality I, we consider a pairing $(a,b)\mapsto\langle a,b\rangle$ of regular multiplier Hopf algebras $A$ and $B$. When $A$ has integrals and when $B$ is the dual of $A$, we can describe the duality with an element $V$ in the multiplier algebra $M(B\otimes A)$ satisfying and defined by $\langle V, a\otimes b\rangle=\langle a,b\rangle$ for all $a,b$. Properties of the dual pair are formulated in terms of this multiplier $V$. It acts, in a natural way, on $A\otimes A$ as the canonical map $T$, given by $T(a\otimes a')=\Delta(a)(1\otimes a')$. In this second paper on the subject, we assume that the pairing is coming from a multiplier Hopf $^*$-algebra with positive integrals. In this case, the positive right integral on $A$ can be used to construct a Hilbert space $\mathcal H$. The duality $V$ now acts as a unitary operator on the Hilbert space tensor product $\mathcal H\otimes\mathcal H$. This eventually makes it possible to complete the algebraic quantum group to a locally compact quantum group. The procedure to pass from the algebraic quantum group to the operator algebraic completion has been treated in the literature but the construction is rather involved because of the necessary use of left Hilbert algebras. In this paper, we give a comprehensive, yet concise and somewhat simpler approach. It should be considered as a springboard to the more complicated theory of locally compact quantum groups.