Polynomial rings over a Hilbert ring (Q1075382)

A commutative ring R with identity is called a Hilbert ring if every prime ideal of R is an intersection of maximal ideals. The paper discusses some open questions surrounding an incorrect result by R. Gilmer, which asserts that if R is a Hilbert ring and if \(\{X_{\lambda}\}_{\lambda \in \Lambda}\) is an infinite set of indeterminates such that for each maximal ideal m of R, the cardinality of the field R/m is greater than that of the set \(\Lambda\), then \(S=R[\{X_{\lambda}\}]\) is a Hilbert ring [cf. \textit{R. Gilmer}, Mich. Math. J. 18, 205-212 (1971; Zbl 0215.079)]. An example is given to prove that this assertion is incorrect. The author shows that for a Noetherian ring R (or, more generally, if Spec R is Noetherian and R satisfies d.c.c. on prime ideals) the following assertions are equivalent: \((i)\quad the\) polynomial ring \(R[\{X_{\lambda}\}]\) is a Hilbert ring; \((ii)\quad every\) \(| \Lambda |\)-generated R-algebra that is a field is an integral R- algebra; \((iii)\quad for\) each maximal ideal m of R, the field R/m has cardinality \(>| \Lambda |\), and for each nonmaximal prime p of R, the set of primes q of R such that \(p\subset q\) and ht q/p\(=1\) has cardinality \(>| \Lambda |\).