Covering spaces and the Galois theory of commutative Banach algebras

The principal result of this paper is that there is a bijective (functorial) correspondence between the projective separable extensions of a comutative Banach algebra A and the finite covering spaces of its maximal ideal space M(A). As a consequence, a full Galois theory for commutative Banach algebras is developed which is analogous to the (unramified) Galois theory of function fields on compact Riemann surfaces. In case M(A) is a reasonably “nice” space, its profinite fundamental group is identified as the automorphism group of the separable closure of A.     

Sufficient conditions for the projective freeness of Banach algebras

Let R be a unital semi-simple commutative complex Banach algebra, and let M(R) denote its maximal ideal space, equipped with the Gelfand topology. Sufficient topological conditions are given on M(R) for R to be a projective free ring, that is, a ring in which every finitely generated projective R-module is free. Several examples are included, notably the Hardy algebra H^∞(X) of bounded holomorphic functions on a Riemann surface of finite type, and also some algebras of stable transfer functions arising in control theory.     

Banach-valued holomorphic functions on the maximal ideal space of H ∞

We study Banach-valued holomorphic functions defined on open subsets of the maximal ideal space of the Banach algebra H ^∞ of bounded holomorphic functions on the unit disk $\mathbb{D}\subset \mathbb{C}$ with pointwise multiplication and supremum norm. In particular, we establish vanishing cohomology for sheaves of germs of such functions and, solving a Banach-valued corona problem for H ^∞, prove that the maximal ideal space of the algebra $H_{\mathrm{comp}}^{\infty}(A)$ of holomorphic functions on $\mathbb{D}$ with relatively compact images in a commutative unital complex Banach algebra A is homeomorphic to the direct product of maximal ideal spaces of H ^∞ and A.     

Perturbing the boundary conditions of the generator of a cosine family

Let A be a densely defined, closed linear operator (which we shall call maximal operator) with domain D(A) on a Banach space X and consider closed linear operators L:D(A)???X and ??:D(A)???X (where ?X is another Banach space called boundary space). Putting conditions on L and ??, we show that the second order abstract Cauchy problem for the operator A _?? with A _?? u=Au and domain D(A _??):={u??D(A):Lu=??u} is well-posed and thus it generates a cosine operator function on the Banach space X.     

On normal crossings in a Banach space

We show that if A is a closed complex analytic subset of a Banach space X with an unconditional basis (e.g., X=?₂) that has only normal crossings for singularities, then the structure and ideal sheaves of A are cohesive sheaves over X, and consequently, they are acyclic over any pseudoconvex open subset of X.     

Lifting bounded approximation properties from Banach spaces to their dual spaces

Based on a new reformulation of the bounded approximation property, we develop a unified approach to the lifting of bounded approximation properties from a Banach space X to its dual X^*. This encompasses cases when X has the unique extension property or X is extendably locally reflexive. In particular, it is shown that the unique extension property of X permits to lift the metric A-approximation property from X to X^*, for any operator ideal A, and that there exists a Banach space X such that X,X**,… are extendably locally reflexive, but X^*,X***,… are not.     

Algebraic properties of isometries between groups of invertible elements in Banach algebras

We prove that an isometry T between open subgroups of the invertible groups of unital Banach algebras A and B is extended to a real-linear isometry up to translation between these Banach algebras. While a unital isometry between unital semisimple commutative Banach algebras need not be multiplicative, we prove in this paper that if A is commutative and A or B are semisimple, then (T(eA))⁻¹T is extended to an isometric real algebra isomorphism from A onto B. In particular, A−1 is isometric as a metric space to B−1 if and only if they are isometrically isomorphic to each other as metrizable groups if and only if A is isometrically isomorphic to B as a real Banach algebra; it is compared by the example of ?elazko concerning on non-isomorphic Banach algebras with the homeomorphically isomorphic invertible groups. Isometries between open subgroups of the invertible groups of unital closed standard operator algebras on Banach spaces are investigated and their general forms are given.     

Weak spectral synthesis in commutative Banach algebras. II

Let A be a semisimple and regular commutative Banach algebra with structure space Δ(A). Continuing our investigation in [E. Kaniuth, Weak spectral synthesis in commutative Banach algebras, J. Funct. Anal. 254 (2008) 987-1002], we establish various results on intersections and unions of weak spectral sets and weak Ditkin sets in Δ(A). As an important example, the algebra of n-times continuously differentiable functions is studied in detail. In addition, we prove a theorem on spectral synthesis for projective tensor products of commutative Banach algebras which applies to Fourier algebras of locally compact groups.     

Equivariant Brauer and Picard groups and a Chase–Harrison–Rosenberg exact sequence

The classical Chase–Harrison–Rosenberg exact sequence relates the Picard and Brauer groups of a Galois extension S of a commutative ring R to the group cohomology of the Galois group. We associate to each action of a locally compact group G on a locally compact space X two groups which we call the equivariant Picard group and the equivariant Brauer group. We then prove an analogue of the Chase–Harrison–Rosenberg exact sequence in the which the roles of the Picard and Brauer groups are played by their equivariant analogues.     

Smoothing of bump functions

Let X be a separable Banach space with a Schauder basis, admitting a continuous bump which depends locally on finitely many coordinates. Then X admits also a C^∞-smooth bump which depends locally on finitely many coordinates.     

G-Closed fields and imbeddings of quadratic number fields

A field, K, that has no extensions with Galois group isomorphic to G is called G-closed. It is proved that a finite extension of K admits an infinite number of nonisomorphic extensions with Galois group G. A trinomial of degree n is exhibited with Galois group, the symmetric group of degree n, and with prescribed discriminant. This result is used to show that any quadratic extension of an A_n-closed field admits an extension with Galois group A_n.     

Specialization results and ramification conditions

Given a hilbertian field k of characteristic zero and a finite Galois extension E/k(T) with group G such that E/k is regular, we produce some specializations of E/k(T) at points t0 ∈ P¹(k) which have the same Galois group but also specified inertia groups at finitely many given primes. This result has two main applications. Firstly we conjoin it with previous works to obtain Galois extensions of Q of various finite groups with specified local behavior — ramified or unramified — at finitely many given primes. Secondly, in the case k is a number field, we provide criteria for the extension E/k(T) to satisfy this property: at least one Galois extension F/k of group G is not a specialization of E/k(T).     

The approximation properties determined by operator ideals

We introduce the notion of the right approximation property with respect to an operator ideal A and solve the duality problem for the approximation property with respect to an operator ideal A, that is, a Banach space X has the approximation property with respect to A ^d whenever X* has the right approximation property with respect to an operator ideal A. The notions of the left bounded approximation property and the left weak bounded approximation property for a Banach operator ideal are introduced and new symmetric results are obtained. Finally, the notions of the p-compact sets and the p-approximation property are extended to arbitrary Banach operator ideals. Known results of the approximation property with respect to an operator ideal and the p-approximation property are generalized.     

Commutative Algebras In Which Polynomials Have Infinitely Many Roots

Let K be a field. Then there exists a commutative K-algebra A such that each polynomial in K[X] of degree at least 2 has infinitely many roots in A. If B is a finite-dimensional commutative K-algebra and char(K) ≠ 3 (resp., char(K ) = 3), then X ² + X + 1 (resp., X ² + X-1) has only finitely many roots in B. Relevant examples are also given, especially of K-algebras of the form K + N, where N is the nilradical.     

Answer to a conjecture of J.M. Cohen

The origin of Gelfand rings comes from [9] where the Jacobson topology and the weak topology are compared. The equivalence of these topologies defines a regular Banach algebra. One of the interests of these rings resides in the fact that we have an equivalence of categories between vector bundles over a compact manifold and finitely generated projective modules over C(M), the ring of continuous real functions on M [17].These rings have been studied by R. Bkouche (soft rings [3]) C.J. Mulvey (Gelfand rings [15]) and S. Teleman (harmonic rings [19]).Firstly we study these rings geometrically (by sheaves of modules (Theorem 2.5)) and then introduce the ?ech covering dimension of their maximal spectrums. This allows us to study the stable rank of such a ring A (Theorem 6.1), the nilpotence of the nilideal of K₀(A) - The Grothendieck group of the category of finitely generated projective A-modules - (Theorem 9.3), and an upper limit on the maximal number of generators of a finitely generated A-module as a function of the afore-mentioned dimension (Theorem 4.4).Moreover theorems of stability are established for the group K₀(A), depending on the stable rank (Theorems 8.1 and 8.2). They can be compared to those for vector bundles over a finite dimensional paracompact space [18].Thus there is an analogy between finitely generated projective modules over Gelfand rings and ?ech dimension, and finitely generated projective modules over noetherian rings and Krull dimension.     

Pro-P galois groups of function fields over local fields

For non-archimedean local field K and a prime number p we compute the finitely generated pro-p (closed) subgroups of the absolute Galois group of K(t). In addition, we characterize the finitely generated pro-p groups which occur as the maximal pro-p Galois group of algebraic extensions of K(t) containing a primitive pth root of unity.     

Multiplicative spectrum of ultrametric Banach algebras of continuous functions

Let K be an ultrametric complete field and let E be an ultrametric space. Let A be the Banach K-algebra of bounded continuous functions from E to K and let B be the Banach K-algebra of bounded uniformly continuous functions from E to K. Maximal ideals and continuous multiplicative semi-norms on A (resp. on B) are studied by defining relations of stickiness and contiguousness on ultrafilters that are equivalence relations. So, the maximal spectrum of A (resp. of B) is in bijection with the set of equivalence classes with respect to stickiness (resp. to contiguousness). Every prime ideal of A or B is included in a unique maximal ideal and every prime closed ideal of A (resp. of B) is a maximal ideal, hence every continuous multiplicative semi-norms on A (resp. on B) has a kernel that is a maximal ideal. If K is locally compact, every maximal ideal of A (resp. of B) is of codimension 1. Every maximal ideal of A or B is the kernel of a unique continuous multiplicative semi-norm and every continuous multiplicative semi-norm is defined as the limit along an ultrafilter on E. Consequently, on A as on B the set of continuous multiplicative semi-norms defined by points of E is dense in the whole set of all continuous multiplicative semi-norms. Ultrafilters show bijections between the set of continuous multiplicative semi-norms of A, Max(A) and the Banaschewski compactification of E which is homeomorphic to the topological space of continuous multiplicative semi-norms. The Shilov boundary of A (resp. B) is equal to the whole set of continuous multiplicative semi-norms.     

First Alexandroff Decomposition Theorem for Topological Lattice Group Valued Measures

Let (X, F) be an Alexandroff space, let A(F) be the Boolean subalgebra of 2 ^X generated by F, let G be a Hausdorff commutative topological lattice group and let rba_F(A(F), G) denote the set of all order bounded F-inner regular finitely additive set functions from A(F) into G. Using some special properties of the elements of rba_F(A(F), G), we extend to this setting the first decomposition theorem of Alexandroff.     

Almost maximal spaces

A topological space X is called almost maximal if it is without isolated points and for every x∈X, there are only finitely many ultrafilters on X converging to x. We associate with every countable regular homogeneous almost maximal space X a finite semigroup Ult(X) so that if X and Y are homeomorphic, Ult(X) and Ult(Y) are isomorphic. Semigroups Ult(X) are projectives in the category F of finite semigroups. These are bands decomposing into a certain chain of rectangular components. Under MA, for each projective S in F, there is a countable almost maximal topological group G with Ult(G) isomorphic to S. The existence of a countable almost maximal topological group cannot be established in ZFC. However, there are in ZFC countable regular homogeneous almost maximal spaces X with Ult(X) being a chain of idempotents.     

Finite character of finitely stable domains

A commutative domain is finitely stable if every nonzero finitely generated ideal is stable, i.e. invertible over its endomorphism ring. A domain satisfies the local stability property provided that every locally stable ideal is stable.We prove that a finitely stable domain satisfies the local stability property if and only if it has finite character, that is every nonzero ideal is contained in at most finitely many maximal ideals. This result allows us to answer the open problem of whether every Clifford regular domain is of finite character.