Algebraic compactness of ultrapowers and representation type (Q1100254)

It is shown that for certain classes of Artin algebras, infinite representation type is equivalent to the existence of a module M all of whose countable ultrapowers \(M^{{\mathbb{N}}}/{\mathcal F}\) fail to be algebraically compact. The result pertains to (A) the commutative artinian rings having only uncountable local components, and (B) the group algebras of finite groups over uncountable fields. This picture is in contrast to the situation of a countable base ring, where non-trivial countable ultraproducts of modules are always algebraically compact.