A general theory of Vandermonde matrices (Q1079630)

Let a be an element from a division ring \(D\) and let \(\sigma\): \(a\to a^{\sigma}\) be an endomorphism of \(D\). The \(\sigma\)-Vandermonde matrix of \(a_ 1,\ldots,a_ n\in D\) is defined by \(V_ n^{\sigma}(a_ 1,\ldots,a_ n)=(N_ i(a_ j))\) with \(N_ i(a_ j)=a_ j^{\sigma^{i-1}}\cdots a_ j^{\sigma^ 2}a_ j^{\sigma}a_ j\), \(i=1,\ldots,n-1\), \(N_ 0(a_ j)=1\), \(j=1,\ldots,n\). For the identity automorphism of \(D\), \(\sigma\) \(\equiv 1\), one gets the ordinary Vandermonde matrix. In this exposition, the rank of \(\sigma\)-Vandermonde matrices is investigated. For this purpose, various techniques from noncommutative algebra are developed: the method of skew polynomials for the computation of the rank; the notions of \(\sigma\)-conjugacy classes and polynomial independence in division rings for the characterization of the rank of a \(\sigma\)-Vandermonde matrix by its entries. In particular, the case of invertibility is considered. The paper concludes with a brief discussion of conditions for the ranks of a Vandermonde matrix and its transpose to be equal.