On free Baxter algebras: Completions and the internal construction (Q1977176)

A Baxter algebra of weight \(\lambda\) is a commutative algebra \(R\) over a commutative ring \(C\) with a \(P\) in \(\text{End}_CR\) satisfying \(P(x)P(y)=P(xP(y))+P(yP(x))+\lambda P(xy)\), where \(\lambda\) is in \(C\). In a previous paper [ibid. 150, No. 1, 117-149 (1999; Zbl 0947.16013)], the authors described the free Baxter algebra of weight \(\lambda\) in terms of a certain shuffle product. In the paper under review, they call this free Baxter algebra a shuffle Baxter algebra. They call this an ``external'' construction in that it is not related to any other Baxter algebra. Then they give another description which they call ``internal'' as it is a Baxter subalgebra of a Baxter algebra constructed by Baxter. They call this version of the free Baxter algebra a standard Baxter algebra. An explicit isomorphism is described between the shuffle and the standard Baxter algebras. The authors say that in the shuffle Baxter algebra, the \(C\)-module structure and Baxter operator \(P\) are easily described, whereas in the standard Baxter algebra, the multiplication is very simple. The authors define and use the completion of a Baxter algebra, which is roughly similar to completing polynomials to power-series. It comes from the filtration of \(R\) given by \(F^0(R)=R\) and \(F^{n+1}(R)\) is the Baxter ideal of \(R\) generated by \(P(F^n(R))\).