Douglas algebras which are invariant under the Bourgain map (Q1203573)

Let \(A\subseteq C(X)\) be a uniform algebra and let \(A_ b\) be the associated Bourgain algebra, i.e., the space of all functions \(f\in C(X)\) such that \(\text{dist}(ff_ n,A)\to 0\) whenever \(f_ n\) is a sequence in \(A\) converging weakly to zero. Let us call the map which assigns to \(A\) its Bourgain algebra the Bourgain map. \textit{J. A. Cima} and \textit{R. M. Timoney} [Mich. Math. J. 34, 99-104 (1987; Zbl 0617.46058)], who introduced this notion, proved that the Bourgain algebra of \(H^ \infty\) with respect to \(L^ \infty\) on the circle equals the algebra \(H^ \infty+C(T)\). Gorkin, Izuchi and the reviewer could prove that \(H^ \infty+C(T)\) itself is invariant under the Bourgain map. More generally, one has \((B_ b)_ b=B_ b\) whenever \(B\) is a Douglas algebra, i.e., a uniformly closed subalgebra of \(L^ \infty\) containing \(H^ \infty\). In the paper under review quite general classes of Douglas algebras which are invariant under the Bourgain map are unveiled. E.g., it is shown that Douglas algebras of the form \[ H_ E^ \infty=\{f\in L^ \infty:\;f|_ E\in H^ \infty|_ E\}, \qquad E\subseteq M(L^ \infty), \] have this property whenever \(E\) is a peak set for \(H^ \infty\). Some topological and algebraic characterizations of Douglas algebras \(B\) for which \(B_ b=B\) are also given. E.g., it is proved that \(B=B_ b\) if and only if \(B\) does not contain a maximal ideal which is singly generated.