Polynomial extensions of atomic domains (Q2367207)

An integral domain \(R\) is atomic if each nonzero nonunit of \(R\) is a product of irreducible elements. It is well known that \(R\) is atomic if it satisfies the ascending chain condition on principal ideals (ACCP). However, an atomic domain need not satisfy ACCP [\textit{A. Grams}, Proc. Camb. Philos. Soc. 75, 321-329 (1974; Zbl 0287.13002)]. In J. Pure Appl. Algebra 69, No. 1, 1-19 (1990; Zbl 0727.13007), \textit{D. D. Anderson}, the reviewer and \textit{M. Safrullah} showed that any polynomial extension of \(R\) is atomic if \(R[X,Y]\) is atomic, and asked if \(R[X]\) is atomic when \(R\) is atomic. In this paper, the author obtains necessary and sufficient conditions for \(R[X]\) to be atomic. Using extended Rees algebras, he constructs a normal domain \(R\) in which each nonzero nonunit is a product of two irreducible elements (hence \(R\) is atomic), but \(R[X]\) is not atomic.