Divisibility in Douglas algebras (Q1079156)

If \(L^{\infty}\), \(H^{\infty}\) denote the usual Banach algebras on the unit circle, then a closed subalgebra B, \(H^{\infty}\subset B\subset L^{\infty}\), is called a Douglas algebra. The authors are concerned here with the divisibility problem in B. Their main result is: If \(h\in B\) and \(u\in L^{\infty}\), \(\| u\| <1\) such that \(h(1-| u|)=0\) on the maximal ideal space M(B), then \(hH^{\infty}[u]\subset B\). For relevant results also see \textit{C. Guillory} and \textit{D. Sarason} [Mich. Math. J. 28, 173-181 (1981; Zbl 0417.30024)] and \textit{D. Luecking} [ibid. 29, 307-314 (1982; Zbl 0506.30022)].