The group of units in a compact ring (Q1113267)

The results are closely related to a previous paper of the authors [J. Pure Appl. Algebra 51, 231-239 (1988; Zbl 0649.16036)]. Let R be a compact ring with identity, G the group of its units and X the set of nonzero non-units in R. In the paper the properties of two actions of G on R are studied: the regular action, (g,r)\(\to gr\), and the conjugate one, \((g,r)\to grg^{-1}\), where \(g\in G\), \(r\in R\). It is proved that if X is a finite union of orbits under one of these actions then R is finite. The compact rings for which one of the actions of G on X is transitive are characterized. It is proved that a compact ring R is finite iff X is finite. The rings for which G is finite are completely characterized and it is proved that if for a compact ring R with identity \(\in R\) then G is abelian if and only if R is a commutative ring. The paper contains other results too.