Reflexive ideals in Iwasawa algebras. (Q2427572)

Let \(G\) be a compact \(p\)-adic analytic group and let \(\Omega_G\) be the Iwasawa algebra of \(G\) (the completed group algebra of \(G\) over \(\mathbb{F}_p\)). The authors give sufficient conditions on \(p\) and \(G\) which ensure that \(\Omega_G\) has no non-trivial two-sided reflexive ideals. Because every non-zero normal element \(w\in\Omega_G\) gives rise to a non-zero reflexive two-sided ideal \(w\Omega_G\), the same conditions imply that every non-zero normal element in \(\Omega_G\) is a unit. The authors prove that these conditions hold in the case when \(G\) is an open subgroup of \(\text{SL}_2(\mathbb{Z}_p)\) and \(p\) is arbitrary. Using a previous result of the first author [Math. Proc. Camb. Philos. Soc. 141, No. 2, 197-203 (2006; Zbl 1153.22018)], they prove that there are only two prime ideals in \(\Omega_G\) when \(G\) is a congruence subgroup of \(\text{SL}_2(\mathbb{Z}_p)\): the zero ideal and the unique maximal ideal.