Triangular derivations of \(\mathbf k[X,Y,Z]\) (Q2267429)

Let \(B\) be the polynomial ring in three variables over a field \(\mathbf k\) of characteristic zero. A \(\mathbf k\)-derivation \(D\) of \(B\) is said to be triangular if there exists a triple \((X,Y,Z)\) of generators of \(B\) satisfying \(DX \in {\mathbf k}\), \(DY \in {\mathbf k}[X]\) and \(DZ \in {\mathbf k}[X,Y]\). Because of the lack of understanding of the group of automorphisms of \(B\), it is a nontrivial problem to decide whether a given locally nilpotent derivation is triangular. In his paper [J. Pure Appl. Algebra 113, No. 3, 297--305 (1996; Zbl 0874.13021)], the author reduced the problem to the case when \(D\) is irreducible and gave a criterion for that case. The main results of the paper under review give a new characterization of triangular derivations. In particular, an irreducible locally nilpotent derivation \(D\) of \(B\) is triangular if and only if there exists a variable \(V\) of \(B\) such that \(DB\not=0\) and \(D^2V=0\). The idea is to use the systematic analysis of geometric properties of preslices which leads to answering a purely algebraic question about derivations. In particular the author studies a class of polynomials called by him ``weakly based'' and which includes the variables of \(B\). He shows what happens if a weakly based polynomial is a preslice of a locally nilpotent derivation. The results of the present paper generalize earlier results of the author [J. Pure Appl. Algebra 128, No. 2, 109--132 (1998; Zbl 0942.13023)] removing the extra condition for \(D\) to be homogeneous.