Interpolating sets in the maximal ideal space of \(H^ \infty\) (Q1191898)

Let \(M(H^ \infty)\) be the maximal ideal space (= spectrum) of the Banach algebra of bounded analytic functions on the open unit disk \(\mathbb{D}\). As usual, functions in \(H^ \infty\) are identified with their Gelfand transform. For \(f\in H^ \infty\) let \(Z(f)=\{m\in M(H^ \infty)\): \(f(m)=0\}\) denote its zero set. A Blaschke product \(B\) is called interpolating if its zeros \(z_ n\) in \(\mathbb{D}\) satisfy Carleson's condition \[ \inf_ j \prod_{k\neq j} \left|{{z_ j-z_ k} \over {1-\bar z_ j z_ k}}\right| \geq\delta>0. \] A closed set \(E\) in \(M(H^ \infty)\) is called an interpolating set if \(H^ \infty|_ E=C(E)\). By using Carleson's famous interpolation theorem and the fact that \(Z(B)=\overline{\{z_ n\}}\) whenever \(B\) is an interpolating Blaschke product, one can easily conclude that in this case \(Z(B)\) is an interpolating set. Now let \(G\) be the set of all points in \(M(H^ \infty)\) which lie in the closure of an interpolating sequence \(\{z_ n\}\) in \(\mathbb{D}\). By Hoffman's theory, \(G\) is the set of all points with nontrivial Gleason part. In the paper under review, the author now gives a complete characterization of the interpolating sets contained in \(G\). In fact, it is proven that a closed set \(E\subseteq G\) is an interpolating set if and only if \(E\) is a (closed) subset of the zero set \(Z(B)\) of an interpolating Blaschke product \(B\). This interesting theorem is related in some way to a result of \textit{K. Izuchi} [Pac. J. Math. 119, 337-342 (1985; Zbl 0579.46036)] which tells us that, whenever \(E=Z(f)\setminus\mathbb{D}\) is an interpolating set, then \(E\) has the form \(E=Z(B)\setminus\mathbb{D}\) for some interpolating Blaschke product \(B\). In particular, such \(E\)'s are contained in \(G\). The author proves a lot of other nice results concerning interpolating sets in \(H^ \infty\). The paper is well written and considerably enlarges our knowledge on interpolating sets in \(M(H^ \infty)\).