A criterion of decomposability for degree \(4\) algebras with unitary involution (Q1972286)

A central simple algebra with an involution \(\sigma\) is called decomposable if it is a tensor product of two proper subalgebras admitting \(\sigma\). It is said to have a trivial discriminant if the Brauer class of its discriminant algebra is trivial. For an involution of orthogonal type it was shown [\textit{M.-A. Knus}, \textit{R. Parimala} and \textit{R. Sridharan}, Bull. Soc. Math. Belg., Sér. A 43, No. 1/2, 89-98 (1991; Zbl 0757.12002)] that the algebra \((A,\sigma)\) is decomposable if and only if its discriminant is trivial. The authors establish the same criterion for an algebra of degree four with a unitary involution.