A Gröbner basis approach to solve a conjecture of Nowicki (Q999091)

Let \(R\) be a UFD containing \(\mathbb{Q}\) and \(B=R[Y_1,\dots,Y_m]\) be a polynomial ring over \(R\). A derivation \(d:B\to B\) is an \textit{\(R\)-derivation} if \(d(r)=0\) for any \(r\in R\). An \(R\)-derivation is called elementary one may choose generators \(Y_i\) is such a way that \(d(Y_i)\in R\) for any \(i=1,\dots,m\). In this case we have \(d=\sum_{i=1}^m a_i\frac{\partial}{\partial Y_i}\) for some \(a_i\in R\). Clearly, the elements \(L_{ij}=\frac{a_i}{g_{ij}}Y_j-\frac{a_j}{g_{ij}}Y_i\), where \(g_{ij}=\text{GCD}(a_i,a_j)\), are contained in the kernel of the derivation \(d\). Let us say that \(d\) is \textit{standard} if the elements \(L_{ij}\) generate \(\text{Ker}(d)\) as a subalgebra. Let \(K\) be a field of characteristic zero, and \(R=K[X_1,\dots,X_n]\) be a polynomial ring. In [\textit{A.~Nowicki}, Polynomial derivations and their rings of constants. Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Mikolaja Kopernika, Torun (1994; Zbl 1236.13023)], it was conjectured that the derivation \(\sum_{i=1}^n X_i\frac{\partial}{\partial Y_i}\) of the ring \(R[Y_1,\dots,Y_n]\) is standard. This conjecture is proved in the present article even for more general class of derivations \(\sum_{i=1}^n X_i^{t_i}\frac{\partial}{\partial Y_i}\), \(t_i\in\mathbb{Z}_{\geq 0}\). The proof is based on the explicit calculation of a Groebner basis in an ideal associated with the generators \(L_{ij}\). In [\textit{H.~Kojima} and \textit{M.~Miyanishi}, J. Pure Appl. Algebra 122, No. 3, 277--292 (1997; Zbl 0887.13009)], a particular case of the above result was obtained. In the last section the author gives some comments and corrections to the proof of Kojima and Miyanishi.