We introduce a version of logic for metric structures suitable for
applications to C*-algebras and tracial von Neumann algebras. We also prove a
purely model-theoretic result to the effect that the theory of a metric
structure is stable if and only if all of its ultrapowers associated with
nonprincipal ultrafilters on N are isomorphic even when the Continuum
Hypothesis fails.
Several authors have considered whether the ultrapower and the relative
commutant of a C*-algebra or II_1 factor depend on the choice of the
ultrafilter. We show that the negative answer to each of these questions is
equivalent to the Continuum Hypothesis, extending results of Ge-Hadwin and the
first author.