Albert algebras over curves of genus zero and one (Q2378601)

In the structure theory of Jordan algebras, exceptional simple Jordan algebras or Albert algebras, are as important as octonions algebras in the theory of alternative algebras. In fact, Albert algebras exist because octonion algebras exist. A precedent of the paper under review is the one by \textit{H. P. Petersson} on composition algebras over algebraic curves of genus zero [Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 337, No. 1, 473--493 (1993; Zbl 0778.17001)]. As pointed out by the author, even finite dimensional algebras over fields may benefit from this research. This paper deals with the construction of Albert algebras over curves of genus \(0\) and \(1\). In a work by \textit{M. L. Racine} and \textit{H. P. Petersson} in 1986 [J. Algebra 98, 244--279 (1986; Zbl 0589.17016)], they developed a Tits process for algebras over base rings. Then, in 1995 \textit{G. Achhammer} [Albert algebras over locally ringed spaces. (German) Dissertation. Hagen: Univ. Hagen, FB Math. (1995; Zbl 0864.17044)] extended this Tits process in a context of algebras over locally ringed spaces. By using Achhammer's Tits process and the general Tits construction, Albert algebras over curves of genus \(0\) and \(1\) are constructed in this paper. Since the automorphism groups of these algebras are algebraic groups schemes of type \(F_4\), the results obtained give also some information on the structure of these group schemes. The author of the paper under review constructs reduced Albert algebras and also Albert algebras obtained by the first Tits construction from certain Azumaya algebra. As mentioned by the author, a classification of Albert algebras seems to be out of reach because Azumaya algebras of constant rank \(9\) over elliptic curves are not sufficiently well understood. In spite of this, the paper gives a step forward to a better understanding of the algebras under study.