Dixmier's problem 5 for the Weyl algebra. (Q1763742): Difference between revisions

Let \(A_1\) be the first Weyl algebra over a field \(k\) of characteristic zero with generators \(X,Y\) subject to the defining relation \(YX-XY=1\). Suppose that \(\alpha\in A_1\) is a polynomial of degree \(d\geqslant 1\) in one variable \(YX\) and \(u=\alpha X\). It is shown that the centralizer of \(u\) is the polynomial algebra \(k[u]\). Put \(N(u,i)=\ker(\text{ad\,}u)^{i+1}\) and \(I_n=(\text{ad\,}u)^nN(u,n)\). It is shown that \(I_m=u^{m-\bigl[\tfrac k{d+1}\bigr]}k[u]\) for all \(m\geqslant 1\). In particular \(I_1I_{i(d+1)-1}\neq I_{i(d+1)}\) for all \(i\geqslant 1\). It follows that \textit{J. Dixmier}'s problem 5 [from Bull. Soc. Math. Fr. 96, 209--242 (1968; Zbl 0165.04901)] has a negative answer. There is also given a positive answer in some cases to problem 4 from the same paper.