Nonassociative quaternion algebras over rings

Non-split nonassociative quaternion algebras over fields were first discovered over the real numbers independently by Dickson and Albert. They were later classified over arbitrary fields by Waterhouse. These algebras naturally appeared as the most interesting case in the classification of the four-dimensional nonassociative algebras which contain a separable field extension of the base field in their nucleus. We investigate algebras of constant rank 4 over an arbitrary ringR which contain a quadratic étale subalgebraS overR in their nucleus. A generalized Cayley-Dickson doubling process is introduced to construct a special class of these algebras.     

Nonassociative cyclic extensions of fields and central simple algebras

We define nonassociative cyclic extensions of degree m of both fields and central simple algebras over fields. If a suitable field contains a primitive mth (resp., qth) root of unity, we show that suitable nonassociative generalized cyclic division algebras yield nonassociative cyclic extensions of degree m (resp., qs). Some of Amitsur's classical results on non-commutative associative cyclic extensions of both fields and central simple algebras are obtained as special cases.     

Algebras, hyperalgebras, nonassociative bialgebras and loops

Sabinin algebras are a broad generalization of Lie algebras that include Lie, Malcev and Bol algebras as very particular examples. We present a construction of a universal enveloping algebra for Sabinin algebras, and the corresponding Poincaré-Birkhoff-Witt Theorem. A nonassociative counterpart of Hopf algebras is also introduced and a version of the Milnor-Moore Theorem is proved. Loop algebras and universal enveloping algebras of Sabinin algebras are natural examples of these nonassociative Hopf algebras. Identities of loops move to identities of nonassociative Hopf algebras by a linearizing process. In this way, nonassociative algebras and Hopf algebras interlace smoothly.     

Identities in algebras with involution

One of the main features of the theory of polynomial identities is the existence (for anyn) of a division algebra of degreen, formed by adjoining quotients of central elements of the algebra of genericn×n matrices; this division algebra is extremely interesting and has been used by Amitsur (forn divisible by either 8 or the square of an odd prime) as an example of a non-crossed product central division algebra. The main object of this paper is to obtain, in a parallel method, division algebras with involution of the first kind, knowledge of which would answer some long-standing questions in the theory of division algebras with involution. One such question is, “Is every division algebra with involution of the first kind a tensor product of quaternion division algebras?” In the process, a theory of (polynomial) identities in algebras with involution is developed with emphasis on prime PI-algebras with involution.     

The Number of Nonisomorphic Two-dimensional Algebras over a Finite Field

In this paper, we derive explicit formulas for the number of nonisomorphic two-dimensional nonassociative algebras, possibly without a unit, over a finite field. The proof combines the first author’s general classification theory of two-dimensional nonassociative algebras over arbitrary base fields with elementary counting arguments which are primarily addressed to the problem of determining the number of orbits of a finite set acted upon by the group of integers mod 2. The number of nonisomorphic two-dimensional division algebras will also be determined.     

Quotients of orders in algebras obtained from skew polynomials with applications to coding theory

We describe families of nonassociative finite unital rings that occur as quotients of natural nonassociative orders in generalized nonassociative cyclic division algebras over number fields. These natural orders have already been used to systematically construct fully diverse fast-decodable space-time block codes. We show how the quotients of natural orders can be employed for coset coding. Previous results by Oggier and Sethuraman involving quotients of orders in associative cyclic division algebras are obtained as special cases.     

Algebras whose right nucleus is a central simple algebra

We generalize Amitsur's construction of central simple algebras over a field F which are split by field extensions possessing a derivation with field of constants F to nonassociative algebras: for every central division algebra D over a field F of characteristic zero there exists an infinite-dimensional unital nonassociative algebra whose right nucleus is D and whose left and middle nucleus are a field extension K of F splitting D, where F is algebraically closed in K.We then give a short direct proof that every p-algebra of degree m, which has a purely inseparable splitting field K of degree m and exponent one, is a differential extension of K and cyclic. We obtain finite-dimensional division algebras over a field F of characteristic $p>0$ whose right nucleus is a division p-algebra.     

Relaxed linear spaces and a generalization of the Cayley-Dickson process

In this paper first we introduce a new generalization of vector spaces and linear nonassociative algebras, and then we apply these new concepts to produce new structures related to the classical real division algebras but with dimensions other than 1, 2, 4 and 8.     

Algebras with involution that become hyperbolic over the function field of a conic

We study central simple algebras with involution of the first kind that become hyperbolic over the function field of the conic associated to a given quaternion algebra Q. We classify these algebras in degree 4 and give an example of such a division algebra with orthogonal involution of degree 8 that does not contain (Q,⁻), even though it contains Q and is totally decomposable into a tensor product of quaternion algebras.     

Division algebras of degree 4 and 8 with involution

We develop necessary and sufficient conditions for central simple algebras to have involutions of the first kind, and to be tensor products of quaternion subalgebras. The theory is then applied to give an example of a division algebra of degree 8 with involution (of the first kind), without quaternion subalgebras, answering an old question of Albert; another example is a division algebra of degree 4 with involution (*) has no (*)-invariant quaternion subalgebras. The research of the second author is supported by the Anshel Pfeffer Chair. The third author would like to express his gratitude to Professor J. Tits for many stimulating conversations.     

Forms and Baer ordered *-fields

It is well known that for a quaternion algegra, the anisotropy of its norm form determines if the quaternion algebra is a division algebra. In case of biquaternio algebra, the anisotropy of the associated Albert form (as defined in [LLT]) determines if the biquaternion algebra is a division ring. In these situations, the norm forms and the Albert forms are quadratic forms over the center of the quaternion algebras; and they are strongly related to the algebraic structure of the algebras. As it turns out, there is a natural way to associate a tensor product of quaternion algebras with a form such that when the involution is orthogonal, the algebra is a Baer ordered *-field iff the associated form is anisotropic.     

Symmetric composition algebras over algebraic varieties

Let ${(X,\mathcal{O}_X)}$ be a locally ringed space. We investigate the structure of symmetric composition algebras over X obtained from cubic alternative algebras ${\mathcal{A}}$ over X generalizing a method first presented by J. R. Faulkner. We find examples of Okubo algebras over elliptic curves which do not have any isotopes which are octonion algebras and of an octonion algebra which is a Cayley-Dickson doubling of a quaternion algebra but does not contain any quadratic étale algebras.     

Quaternionic lie algebras

Lie algebras which are isomorphic to central quotients of quaternion division algebras are investigated.     

The relative Brauer group of a cyclic cover of affine space

We study the finite-dimensional central division algebras over the rational function field in several variables over an algebraically closed field. We describe the division algebras that are split by the cyclic covering obtained by adjoining the nth root of a polynomial. The relative Brauer group is described in terms of the Picard group of the cyclic covering and its Galois group. Many examples are given and in most cases division algebras are presented that represent generators of the relative Brauer group.     

Quadratic descent of hermitian forms

Quadratic descent of hermitian and skew hermitian forms over division algebras with involution of the first kind in arbitrary characteristic is investigated and a criterion, in terms of systems of quadratic forms, is obtained. A refined result is also obtained for hermitian (resp. skew hermitian) forms over a quaternion algebra with symplectic (resp. orthogonal) involution.     

Determination of division algebras with 243 elements

Finite nonassociative division algebras (i.e., finite semifields) with 243 elements are completely classified. Nine Knuth orbits were found, two of which are new. All are primitive, and all but the twisted field planes are fractional dimensional.     

Completed cohomology of Shimura curves and a p-adic Jacquet–Langlands correspondence

We study indefinite quaternion algebras over totally real fields F, and give an example of a cohomological construction of p-adic Jacquet–Langlands functoriality using completed cohomology. We also study the (tame) levels of p-adic automorphic forms on these quaternion algebras and give an analogue of Mazur’s ‘level lowering’ principle.     

Determination of division algebras with 243 elements

Finite nonassociative division algebras (i.e., finite semifields) with 243 elements are completely classified. Nine Knuth orbits were found, two of which are new. All are primitive, and all but the twisted field planes are fractional dimensional.