Unitary extensions of Hilbert \(A(D)\)-modules split (Q852594)

When working in the category of topological modules over Banach algebras, the common algebraic constructions, such as those of projective or injective resolutions become quite involved. As a matter of fact, topological homology, as it stands today, is mostly concerned with characterizations of the projective objects. For details, see [\textit{A.\,Ya.\,Khelemskij}, ``The hohomology of Banach and topological algebras'' (Mathematics and Its Applications: Soviet Series 41, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht etc.) (1989; Zbl 0695.46033)]. Following the path outlined by R.\,G.\,Douglas and collaborators [cf.\ \textit{R.\,G.\,Douglas} and \textit{V.\,I.\,Paulsen}, ``Hilbert modules over function algebras'' (Pitman Research Notes in Mathematics Series, 217) (1989; Zbl 0686.46035)], the authors study extensions of Hilbert modules over the disk algebra of a bounded, strictly pseudoconvex domain or a bounded symmetric and circled domain \(D\) in \(\mathbb C^n\). Let \(S\) denote the Shilov boundary of this disk algebra. The main result asserts that, if one of the extreme elements in a short exact sequence admits a lifting of its module structure to a Hilbert \(C(S)\)-module, then the sequence splits. In particular, \(C(S)\)-modules are projective as \(A(D)\)-modules. A similar conclusion was reached in the case of the polydisk by \textit{J.\,F.\,Carlson} and \textit{D.\,N.\,Clark} [Mich.\ Math.\ J.\ 44, No.\,2, 365--373 (1997; Zbl 0888.46022)].