Algebraic commutators with respect to subnormal subgroups in division rings (Q2036585)

Let \(D\) be a division ring, and denote by \(F\) its centre. The element \(a\in D\) is algebraic if it is algebraic over \(F\), its degree is denoted by \(d=[F(a):F]\). If \(S\subseteq D\) is a set of algebraic elements whose degrees are bounded by some positive integer \(d\) then \(S\) is algebraic of degree \(\le d\). A well-known theorem of Jacobson states that if \(D\) is algebraic of degree \(\le d\) over \(F\) then \(D\) is finite dimensional over \(F\). Assume that the multiplicative group \(D^*\) of \(D\) has a subnormal, non-central subgroup \(N\). The authors prove that \([D:F]\le d^2\) provided that at least one of the following three conditions is met: A. \(N\) is a normal subgroup of \(D^*\), and \(N\) is algebraic of degree \(\le d\) over \(F\); B. The group commutators \(aba^{-1}b^{-1}\) are algebraic over \(F\) of degree \(\le d\) for every \(a\in N\) and \(b\in D^*\); C. The ring commutators \(ac-ca\) are algebraic over \(F\) of degree \(\le d\) for every \(a\in N\) and \(c\in D^*\). Moreover the authors prove that the bound \(d^2\) is, in a sense, the best possible. Let \(K\) be a subfield of \(D\). Suppose that \(N\) is as above, and that \(N\) is left algebraic over \(K\) of degree \(\le d\). In case \(N\) is a normal subgroup they obtain once more that \([D:F]\le d^2\).