Value functions on simple Artinian rings (Q1126966)

A value function on a simple Artinian ring \(Q\) is defined as a surjective map \(\omega\colon Q\to\Gamma\cup\{\infty\}\), where \(\Gamma\) is a (not necessarily abelian) totally ordered group, subject to the following conditions: (1) \(\omega(-1)=0\); (2) \(\omega(a)=\infty\) if and only if \(a=0\); (3) \(\omega(ab)\geq\omega(a)+\omega(b)\) for \(a,b\in Q\); (4) \(\omega(a+b)\geq\min\{\omega(a),\omega(b)\}\) for \(a,b\in Q\); (5) for all nonzero \(q\in Q\) there is an invertible element \(a\in Q\) such that \(\omega(a)=-\omega(a^{-1})=\omega(q)\); (6) for every element \(q\in Q\) with \(\omega(q)=0\), there are elements \(a_1,\dots,a_n,b_1,\dots,b_n\in Q\) such that \(\omega(a_i)\geq 0\), \(\omega(b_i)\geq 0\) for all \(i\) and \(\sum a_iqb_i=1\). The notion of value function on Artinian algebras was defined by \textit{P. J. Morandi} [Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 315, No. 2, 605-622 (1989; Zbl 0694.16017)]. Morandi does not require condition (6) but he assumes that the value group \(\Gamma\) is abelian. The extra condition (6) is shown to imply that the set \(J_\omega=\{a\in Q\mid\omega(a)>0\}\) is a maximal two-sided ideal of the ring \(B_\omega=\{a\in Q\mid\omega(a)\geq 0\}\). It holds in the main cases of interest, which are Dubrovin valuation rings. Using Morandi's results, the authors show that if \(Q\) is finite-dimensional over its center, then \(B_\omega\) is an integral Dubrovin valuation ring. They also show that the group \(\Gamma\) is abelian when \(Q\) is algebraic over its center, and they make some observations on the ideals in \(B_\omega\), showing that the set of two-sided \(B_\omega\)-ideals in \(Q\) is totally ordered by inclusion, and that the finitely generated ones are principal.