Krull dimension and global dimension of simple Ore-extensions (Q2544431)

Let \(K\) be a commutative integral domain (not a field), \(d: K\to K\) a derivation. The Ore extension \(K[x,d]\) is a ring generated by \(K\) and an indeterminate \(x\) satisfying the relation \(xk-kx=dk\) for all \(k\in K\). It is possible to choose \(K\) and \(d\) so that \(R=K[x,d]\) is a simple ring. An example (due to J. C. McConnell) is given which shows that this can be done with rings \(K\) of arbitrary global dimension. Suppose \(R=K[x,d]\) is simple and \(I\) is a left ideal in \(R\). Let \(I^{**}\) be the second dual of \(I\); \(I^{**}\) can be identified with a left ideal of \(R\) containing \(I\). It is shown that \(\mathrm{gl}.\dim R=\mathrm{gl}.\dim K\), by showing that there is a chain of left ideals between \(I\) and \(I^{**}\) such that each factor has (up to isomorphism) the form \(R/RM\) for suitable ideals \(M\) in \(K\). Let \(k(R)\) denote the Krull dimension of \(R\) (as defined by Gabriel), and let \(k(K)\) b ethe Krull dimension of \(K\). Suppose \(K\) is such that the local ring \(K_P\) is regular for all minimal primes \(P\). Then it is shown that \(k(R)=k(K)\); this is done using the result mentioned above, and also the inequality \(k(R)\leq 2+\sup_I(I^{**}/I)\). An example is given which shows that the results fails to hold if one removes the requirement that \(K\) be commutative.