Selectivity in division algebras

A commutative order in a central simple algebra over a number field is said to be selective if it embeds in some, but not all, maximal orders in the algebra. We completely characterize selective orders in central division algebras, of dimension 9 or greater, in terms of the characterization of selective orders given by Chinburg and Friedman in the quaternionic case.     

Simple finite-dimensional algebras without finite basis of identities

In 1993, Shestakov posed a problem of existence of a central simple finite-dimensional algebra over a field of characteristic 0 whose identities cannot be defined by a finite set (Dniester Notebook, Problem 3.103). In 2012, Isaev and the author constructed an example that gave a positive answer to this problem. In 2015, the author constructed an example of a central simple seven-dimensional commutative algebra without finite basis of identities. In this article we continue the study of Shestakov’s problem in the case of anticommutative algebras. We construct an example of a simple seven-dimensional anticommutative algebra over a field of characteristic 0 without finite basis of identities.     

Harada modules

We define the Albert algebra of generic matrices and show that its central closure is an Albert division algebra as well as a pure second Tits construction. It contains a cyclic cubic subfield iff this holds true for every Albert division algebra over any extension of the base field.     

The isometry classification of hermitian forms over division algebras

The isometry classification problem occupies a central role in the theory of quadratic and hermitian forms. This article is a survey of results on the problem for quadratic and hermitian forms over a field and also for hermitian and skew-hermitian forms over a noncommutative division algebra with involution. Rather than adopting a very abstract approach, the problems are stated in matrix or linear-algebraic terms. The known solutions depend crucially on the particular field considered, although there are some general results which are mentioned. While many of the results date back a long time, some recent results, especially those on skew-hermitian forms over a quaternion algebra over a number field, are included.     

On absolute Galois splitting fields of central simple algebras

A splitting field of a central simple algebra is said to be absolute Galois if it is Galois over some fixed subfield of the centre of the algebra. The paper proves an existence theorem for such fields over global fields with enough roots of unity. As an application, all twisted function fields and all twisted Laurent series rings over symbol algebras (or p-algebras) over global fields are crossed products. An analogous statement holds for division algebras over Henselian valued fields with global residue field.The existence of absolute Galois splitting fields in central simple algebras over global fields is equivalent to a suitable generalization of the weak Grunwald-Wang theorem, which is proved to hold if enough roots of unity are present. In general, it does not hold and counter examples have been used in noncrossed product constructions. This paper shows in particular that a certain computational difficulty involved in the construction of explicit examples of noncrossed product twisted Laurent series rings cannot be avoided by starting the construction with a symbol algebra.     

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.     

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.     

Zur Struktur der vierdimensionalen quadratischen Algebren

Assuming properties, which are essential for division algebras, but mostly invariant to extensions of the ground field, we investigate the structure of quadratic division algebras of dimension four over an arbitrary field of characteristic not two. We relate the size of the group of automorphisms of such an algebra A to algebraic laws valid in A, characterize Lie-admissibility by means of the skew-commutative vector algebra of A and outline the possibilities of describing A by irreducible identities of degree 3. Some results of the last chapter apply to arbitrary dimensions. We show, that a simple quadratic algebra with the right (left) inverse property for invertible elements is a composition algebra. Finally we conclude, that a quadratic division algebra of dimension four with a right (left) nucleus different from the center is associative.     

The minimal polynomial of a matrix

Let Rbe a finite dimensional central simple algebra over a field FA be any n× n matrix over R. By using the method of matrix representation, this paper obtains the structure formula of the minimal polynomial q_A(λ) of A over F. By using q_A(λ), this paper discusses the structure of right (left) eigenvalues set of A, and obtains the necessary and sufficient condition that a matrix over a finite dimensional central division algebra is similar to a diagonal matrix.     

Differentiably simple Jordan algebras

We prove that each exceptional differentiably simple Jordan algebra over a field of characteristic 0 is an Albert ring whose elements satisfy a cubic equation with the coefficients in the center of the algebra. If the characteristic of the field is greater than 2 then such an algebra is the tensor product of its center and a central exceptional simple 27-dimensional Jordan algebra. Some remarks made on special algebras.     

Orthogonal Pfister involutions in characteristic two

We show that over a field of characteristic 2 a central simple algebra with orthogonal involution that decomposes into a product of quaternion algebras with involution is either anisotropic or metabolic. We use this to define an invariant of such orthogonal involutions that completely determines the isotropy behaviour of the involution. We also give an example of a non-totally decomposable algebra with orthogonal involution that becomes totally decomposable over every splitting field of the algebra.     

UNITARY GRASSMANNIANS OF DIVISION ALGEBRAS

We consider a central division algebra over a separable quadratic extension of a base field endowed with a unitary involution and prove 2-incompressibility of certain varieties of isotropic right ideals of the algebra. The remaining related projective homogeneous varieties are shown to be 2-compressible in general. Together with [17], where a similar issue for orthogonal and symplectic involutions has been treated, the present paper completes the study of Grassmannians of isotropic right ideals of division algebras.     

Moufang sets and jordan division algebras

We give a simple criterion which determines when a permutation group U and one additional permutation give rise to a Moufang set. We apply this criterion to show that every Jordan division algebra gives rise in a very natural way to a Moufang set, to provide sufficient conditions for a Moufang set to arise from a Jordan division algebra and to give a characterization of the projective Moufang sets over a commutative field of characteristic different from 2. The first author is a Postdoctoral Fellow of the Research Foundation – Flanders (Belgium) (FWO-Vlaanderen).     

Embedding Problems of Division Algebras

A finite group G is called admissible over a given field if there exists a central division algebra that contains a G-Galois field extension as a maximal subfield. We give a definition of embedding problems of division algebras that extends both the notion of embedding problems of fields as in classical Galois theory, and the question which finite groups are admissible over a field. In a recent work by Harbater, Hartmann, and Krashen, all admissible groups over function fields of curves over complete discretely valued fields with algebraically closed residue field of characteristic zero have been characterized. We show that also certain embedding problems of division algebras over such a field can be solved for admissible groups.     

Isotopy and invariants of Albert algebras

Let k be a field with characteristic different from 2 and 3. Let B be a central simple algebra of degree 3 over a quadratic extension K/k, which admits involutions of second kind. In this paper, we prove that if the Albert algebras and have same and invariants, then they are isotopic. We prove that for a given Albert algebra J, there exists an Albert algebra J' with , and . We conclude with a construction of Albert division algebras, which are pure second Tits' constructions. Received: December 9, 1997.     

Finite-dimensional homogeneously simple algebras of associative type

In this paper, we describe finite-dimensional homogeneously simple algebras of associative type whose 1-component is a full matrix algebra. In addition, we prove that a finite-dimensional division ring of associative type over an algebraically closed field is isomorphic to a group algebra.     

Albert division algebras in characteristic three contain cyclic cubic subfields

It is shown that a finite-dimensional absolutely simple nonsingular Jordan division algebra of degree 3 over a field containing the third roots of unity admits a cyclic cubic subfield.     

Tits' Constructions of Jordan Algebras and F4 Bundles on the Plane

In this paper, constructions of Jordan algebras over commutative rings are given which place, within a general set-up, the classical Tits constructions of exceptional central simple Jordan algebras over fields. These are used to exhibit nontrivial Jordan algebra bundles over the affine plane with a given exceptional Jordan division algebra over k as the fibre. The associated principal F₄ bundles are shown to admit no reduction of the structure group to any proper connected reductive subgroup.     

Non-Existence of Coassociative Quantized Universal Enveloping Algebras of the Traceless Octonions

The purpose of this brief note is to prove that any coassociative bialgebra deformation of the universal enveloping algebra of the seven dimensional central simple exceptional Malcev algebra over a field of characteristic zero is cocommutative.