Trace forms of central simple algebras (Q1323407)

The reduced trace map on a central simple algebra over a field gives rise in a natural way to a non-singular quadratic form over the field. This form is known as the trace form of the algebra. This article studies the trace form from the viewpoint of the algebraic theory of quadratic forms. The discriminant and the signatures of a trace form are calculated, the latter yielding a necessary and sufficient condition for the algebra to admit a formally real splitting field. The Clifford algebra of a trace form is calculated in certain cases. In particular this yields a quadratic form criterion for a cyclic degree four algebra to have exponent two in the Brauer group. Also the relationship between the trace form and the Albert form of a biquaternion algebra is described.