Normalized Brauer factor sets (Q1375958)

A Brauer factor set (Bfs) \(c\) is said to be normalized [cf. \textit{L. H. Rowen}, Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 282, 765-772 (1984; Zbl 0539.16016)]\ if the Galois group acts on it by the sign representation: \(c^\sigma=c^{\text{sgn }\sigma}\). Rowen (l.c.) showed that for any central simple \(F\)-algebra \(R\), \(R\otimes R\) is similar to an algebra with normalized Bfs, so any algebra of odd index has a normalized Bfs. Here the authors show that any \(R\) of even degree with normalized Bfs cannot be a division algebra and in fact is often a square in \(\text{Br}(K/F)\), where \(K\) is a separable splitting field for the algebra. The authors begin by finding a cohomological description of normalized Bfs's, as a certain subgroup of the kernel of the restriction map \(H^2(G,M)\to H^2(H,M)\) where \(G\) is the Galois group (corresponding to a Galois extension \(E\) of \(F\) containing \(K\)), \(H\) is the subgroup corresponding to \(K\) and \(M\) is a \(G\)-module which is \(H^1\)-trivial. The normalized Bfs's can then be described as elements restricting to 0 on certain subgroups. As a consequence they find that a central simple algebra whose degree and index are divisible by the same (positive) power of 2 cannot have a normalised Bfs. -- Next the authors consider the space \([K,D]\) spanned by \(xy-yx\), where \(x\in K\), \(y\in D\). They show that (for \(K=F[a]\)) the following are equivalent: (a) \(KvK=[K,D]\) for all \(v\neq 0\) in \([K,D]\); (b) the Galois group \(G\) (of the normal closure \(E\) of \(K\)) is doubly transitive on the conjugates of \(a\), (c) if the minimal polynomial of \(a\) over \(F\), \(f(\lambda)\) factorizes as \(f=(\lambda-a)g\) in \(K[\lambda]\), then \(g\) is irreducible over \(K\). Other similar but somewhat technical conditions on \(D\) are examined, which could have an influence on the structure of \(D\).