Minimal E₀-semigroups

It is known that every semigroup of normal completely positive maps of a von Neumann can be ``dilated" in a particular way to an E_0-semigroup acting on a larger von Neumann algebra. The E_0-semigroup is not uniquely determined by the completely positive semigroup; however, it is unique (up to conjugacy) provided that certain conditions of {\it minimality} are met. Minimality is a subtle property, and it is often not obvious if it is satisfied for specific examples even in the simplest case where the von Neumann algebra is $\Cal B(H)$. In this paper we clarify these issues by giving a new characterization of minimality in terms projective cocycles and their limits. Our results are valid for semigroups of endomorphisms acting on arbitrary von Neumann algebras with separable predual.