On indecomposable algebras of exponent 2

For any n ≥ 3 we give numerous examples of central division algebras of exponent 2 and index 2ⁿ over fields, which do not decompose into a tensor product of two nontrivial central division algebras, and which are sums of n + 1 quaternion algebras in the Brauer group of the field. Also, for any n ≥ 3 and any field k ₀ we construct an extension F/k ₀ and a multiquadratic extension L/F of degree 2ⁿ such that for any proper subextensions L ₁/F and L ₂/F The work under this publication was partially supported by INTAS 00-566 and Royal society Joint Project “Quadratic forms and central simple algebras under field extensions”.