The Hermitian class group (Q1357483)

Let \(A\) be an order over a (not necessarily commutative) Krull domain \(R\) endowed with an involution \(\alpha\). The authors define and study the Hermitian class group \(Cl_R (A,\alpha)\) of \((A,\alpha)\), which can also be viewed as a special case of the relative Hermitian Picard group defined by the same authors in ``The relative Hermitian Picard group'' [Commun. Algebra 23, No. 10, 3915-3941 (1995; Zbl 0834.16031)], but is easier to define and has some special features. The authors construct various exact sequences, which permit calculations of the Hermitian class group in concrete situations. In particular, it is shown that in the special case of a divisorial Azumaya algebra the Hermitian class group is independent of the involution.