Rings of constants for \(k\)-derivations in \(k[x_ 1,\dots ,x_ n]\) (Q1115922)

Let \(k\) be a field, \(D\) a set of \(k\)-derivations (containing a nonzero derivation), and \(A=k[x_ 1,\dots,x_ n]\) the polynomial ring. Using methods from commutative algebra (Zariski's theorem and a result by Auslander, Buchsbaum and Serre) the authors investigate the structure of the ring of constants for \(D\), that is \(A^ D=\cap_{d\in D}\ker (d) \), especially for small \(n\). The main results are: 1. If \(\text{char}(k)=0\) and \(n\leq 3\) then \(A^ D\) is a finitely generated \(k\)-algebra, in case of \(n=2\) even \(A^ D=k[f].\) 2. If \(\text{char}(k)=0\), and \(B\) is a subring of \(A=k[x,y]\) which is integrally closed in \(A\) and has Krull dimension \(\leq 1\) then \(B=A^ d\) for some \(k\)-derivation \(d\). 3. If \(\text{char}(k)>0\), \(n\leq 2\) and \(d\) is a \(k\)-derivation of \(A=k[x,y]\) then \(A^ d\) is a free \(k[x^ p,y^ p]\)-module. (This is, in general, not true if \(n>2\)).