Primitive elements in rings of continuous functions (Q2268639)

Let \(X\), \(Y\) be compact Hausdorff spaces and \(C(X)\), \(C(Y)\) denote the usual rings of continuous real-valued functions. If \(\pi: X\to Y\) is continuous and surjective, then \(C(Y)\) is isomorphic to a subring of \(C(X)\) (called an induced extension) through the injection \(C(Y)\to C(X)\) induced by \(\pi\). In the present paper the authors continue their earlier study [Topology Appl. 137, No.~1--3, 115--124 (2004; Zbl 1045.54007)] of the relation between algebraic properties of \(C(Y)\) and topological properties of \(\pi\). We say that \(C(Y)\subset C(X)\) has a primitive element \(f\in C(X)\) in case the ring generated by \(C(Y)\) and \(f\) is \(C(Y)[f]= C(X)\). They show, among other things, that if \(C(Y)\) has a primitive element, then \(\pi\) is locally injective. We denote by \(I_f\) the ideal of all polynomials \(P(t)\in C(Y)[t]\) such that \(P(f)= 0\). Another result says that if \(Y\) is connected, then \(C(Y)\subset C(X)\) has a primitive element \(f\) such that \(I_f\) is generated by a monic polynomial if, and only if, \(X\) is the union of disjoint open subsets which \(\pi\) maps homeomorphically onto \(Y\). Some open questions are also posed.