Commuting polynomials and \(\lambda\)-ring structures on \(\mathbb{Z}[x]\) (Q1336790)

A \(\lambda\)-ring is a commutative ring \(R\) with identity, together with maps \(\lambda^ n : R^ n \to R\) for \(n = 0,1,2, \dots\) which satisfy certain identities. If \(R\) is a \(\lambda\)-ring then ring homomorphisms \(\psi^ n : R \to R\) can be defined by the formula \[ \psi^ n (a) - \lambda^ 1(a) \psi^{n-1} (A)+ \cdots + (-1)^{n-1} \lambda^{n-1} (a) \psi^ 1(a) + (-1)^ n \lambda^ n (a) = 0. \] If \(R\) is without \(\mathbb{Z}\)-torsion, and for each prime number \(p\) we have a homomorphism \(\psi^ p : R \to R\) such that \(\psi^ p \psi^ q = \psi^ q \psi^ p\), and \(\psi^ p (a) \cong a \text{mod} pR\) for each \(a\in R\), then conversely the above formula produces a sequence of \(\lambda^ i\) which give a \(\lambda\)-ring structure on \(R\). It is shown that for every \(\lambda\)-ring structure on the polynomial ring in one variable \(\mathbb{Z}[X]\), there exists \(Y \in \mathbb{Z} [X]\) such that \(\mathbb{Z} [Y] = \mathbb{Z} [X]\) and either \(\psi^ n (Y) = Y^ n\), or \(\psi^ n (Y) = T_ n (Y)\) for all \(n \geq 0\), where the \(T_ n\) are the Chebyshev polynomials. That is \(T_ 0 (X) = 2\), \(T_ 1 (X) = X\), \(T_{n+1} (X) = XT_ n (X) - T_{n-1} (X)\). Some remarks about possible generalizations are also given.