Generic element in \(SK_ 1\) for simple algebras (Q2366822): Difference between revisions

Let \(D\) be a central finite-dimensional simple algebra over a field \(F\). The elements of reduced norm 1 form a subgroup \(G(F) = SL(1,D)\) in the multiplicative group \(GL(1,D)\) of \(D\), where \(G\) is an algebraic \(F\)- group. It is shown that if the index of \(D\) is divisible by 4, then the variety of \(G\) is not rational. Suslin conjectured that the conclusion is true whenever the index is not squarefree. As a consequence, examples of \(D\) are obtained with nontrivial \(SK_ 1(D) = SL(1,D)/[GL(1,D),GL(1,D)]\).