Factorial cluster algebras (Q1946067)

\textit{S. Fomin} and \textit{A. Zelevinsky} [Cluster algebras. I. Foundations, J. Am. Math. Soc. 15, No 2, 497--529 (2002; Zbl 1021.16017)] introduced the concept of cluster algebras, leading to many papers concerning categorifications and cluster-like phenomena in other areas of mathematics. However, less attention has been given to the structure of the cluster algebras themselves. For an arbitrary cluster algebra, one might be interested in identifying invertible, irreducible, or prime elements; furthermore one could ask whether the cluster algebra is factorial or a polynomial ring. In the work under review, the authors investigate cluster algebras of geometric type. Pick integers \(m\geq p\geq n\geq1.\) Let \(K\) be a field of characteristic zero or \(K=\mathbb{Z},\) and let \(\mathcal{F}=K\left( X_{1},\dots,X_{m}\right) \). For \(\left( \mathbf{x,}B\right) \) a seed of \(\mathcal{F},\) we denote the cluster algebra associated to it by \(\mathcal{A}\left( \mathbf{x},B\right) .\) Recall that \(\mathbf{x}=\left( x_{1},\dots,x_{m}\right) \in\mathcal{F}^{m}\) and that the \(x_{i}\) are algebraically independent over \(K.\) It is shown that any cluster variable in \(\mathcal{A}\left( \mathbf{x},B\right) \) is irreducible; furthermore, the units of \(\mathcal{A}\left( \mathbf{x},B\right) \) are of the form \(\lambda x_{n+1}^{a_{n+1}}\cdots x_{p}^{a_{p}}\) for \(\lambda\) an invertible element of \(K.\) A criterion for when \(\mathcal{A}\left( \mathbf{x},B\right) \) is a factorial ring is given. Specifically, let \(\mathbf{y}\) and \(\mathbf{z}\) be disjoint clusters in \(\left( \mathbf{x},B\right) .\) If there is a subalgebra \(U\) of \(A\left( \mathbf{x},B\right) \) such that \(U\) is factorial and contains \(\left\{ y_{1},\dots,y_{n},z_{1},\dots,z_{n} ,x_{n+1}^{\pm1},\dots,x_{p}^{\pm1},x_{p+1},\dots,x_{m}\right\} \) then \(\mathcal{A}\left( \mathbf{x},B\right) \) is factorial and all cluster variables are prime. This result is used to provide examples of factorial cluster algebras, including some which are polynomial rings.