Morita invariance of unbounded bivariant K-theory

We introduce a notion of Morita equivalence for non-selfadjoint operator algebras equipped with a completely isometric involution (operator \(*\) $\ast$ -algebras). We then show that the unbounded Kasparov product by a Morita equivalence bimodule induces an isomorphism between equivalence classes of twisted spectral triples over Morita equivalent operator \(*\) $\ast$ -algebras. This leads to a tentative definition of unbounded bivariant K-theory and we prove that this bivariant theory is related to Kasparov’s bivariant K-theory via the Baaj-Julg bounded transform. Moreover, the unbounded Kasparov product provides a refinement of the usual interior Kasparov product. We illustrate our results by proving \(C^1\) $C^1$ -versions of well-known \(C^*\) $C^{\ast }$ -algebraic Morita equivalences in the context of hereditary subalgebras, conformal equivalences and crossed products by discrete groups.