Two-square theorems for infinite matrices on certain fields (Q2367867)

The compactness theorem of model theory has various applications in algebra, and it is mainly used to correlate finitary conditions and infinitary conditions in certain problems. \textit{A. Abian} [Am. Math. Mon. 92, 94-98 (1985; Zbl 0571.12012)] proved a theorem about the solvability of an infinite set of algebraic equations in an uncountable algebraically closed field, which is also a result of compactness character. (Besides, his theorem can also be regarded as a generalization of Hilbert's Nullstellensatz.) In the present note we shall use the compactness theorem and Abian's theorem, together with a four-square theorem about finite integer matrices, to prove the following result about infinite matrices, i.e. on certain finite rings (including all finite fields) and on any uncountable algebraically closed field, every infinite matrix can be expressed as a sum of squares of two infinite matrices with special shapes. For a more general class of rings, we also append a weaker result.