The small dimension lemma and d'Alembert's equation on semigroups (Q2662883): Difference between revisions

Let \(S\) be a semigroup with an involution \(*\), let \(\mathbb{K}\) be an algebraically closed field of characteristic different from 2 with the multiplicative group \((k\setminus\{0\},\cdot)\) denoted by \(\mathbb{K}^*\) and let \(\mu\colon S\to \mathbb{K}^*\) be a homomorphism satisfying \(\mu(xx^*)=1\) for \(x\in S\). The celebrated d'Alembert's equation reads \[ g(xy)+\mu(y)g(xy^*)=2g(x)g(y),\qquad x,y\in S, \] with the unknown function \(g\colon S\to \mathbb{K}\). A non-zero solution of the above equation is called a d'Alembert function. The paper, written by a leading expert in the field, moves a step forward the general knowledge about this fundamental functional equation, which has been studied over the years by a number of prominent mathematicians, successively generalizing its form and broadening the domain and the range of its solutions (for references see, e.g., \textit{H. Stetkær} [Functional equations on groups. Hackensack, NJ: World Scientific (2013; Zbl 1298.39018)]). The crucial point of this paper lies in the extension of the title -- \textit{The small dimension lemma} -- of the works by \textit{D. Yang} [Banach J. Math. Anal. 5, 126--130 (2011; Zbl 1230.43005); Can Math. Bull. 56, 218--224 (2013; Zbl 1266.39030)]. New properties and characterizations of d'Alembert's functions are then obtained.