Peak point theorems for uniform algebras on smooth manifolds (Q957917): Difference between revisions

Let \(A\) be a uniform algebra on a compact metric space \(X\), that is, \(A\) is a subalgebra of \(C(X)\) that is closed in the supremum norm, contains the constants, and separates the points of \(X\). An important problem in the subject of uniform algebras is to characterize when \(A= C(X)\). One necessary condition for \(A= C(X)\) is that the only nonzero multiplicative linear functionals on \(A\) are the point evaluations. Another necessary condition is that any point of \(X\) is a peak point for \(A\). Recall that a point \(p \in X\) is a peak point for \(A\) if there exists a function \(f \in A\) such that \(f(p) =1\) while \(|f| < 1\) on \(X - \{p\}\). In his 1968 Ph.\,D.\ thesis, Brian Cole produced an example showing that these two necessary conditions for \(A = C(X)\) are not sufficient, thus disproving the so called peak point conjecture. However, in 2001, the authors of the paper under review [Bull.\ Lond.\ Math.\ Soc.\ 33, No.\,2, 187--195 (2001; Zbl 1041.32021)] showed that the peak point conjecture does hold for uniform algebras generated by smooth functions on smooth two-manifolds with boundary. The corresponding assertion for three-manifolds is false, but together with \textit{J.\,Wermer}, the authors [Proc.\ Am.\ Math.\ Soc.\ 129, No.\,8, 2395--2402 (2001; Zbl 0976.32008)] obtained a peak point theorem for polynomial approximation on real-analytic three-manifolds with boundary. In the paper under review, the authors establish a more general peak point theorem for real-analytic three-manifolds with boundary analogous to the two-dimensional result. It is also proved that if \(A\) is a counterexample to the peak point conjecture generated by smooth functions on a manifold of arbitrary dimension, then the essential set for \(A\) has empty interior.