Uniform algebras on the sphere invariant under group actions (Q2391111)

Suppose that \({\mathcal A}\) is a uniform algebra on the unit sphere \(S\) in \({\mathbb C}^n\); suppose both that \({\mathcal A}\) contains the ball algebra \(A(S)\) and that the maximal ideal space of \({\mathcal A}\) is \(S\); finally, suppose that \({\mathcal A}\) is invariant under the action of the \(n\)-torus on \(S\). R.\,Douglas asked if it then follows that \({\mathcal A}=C(S)\), the algebra of continuous functions on \(S\). The present paper shows that, for \(n\geq 3\), the answer to Douglas's question is ``no''. When \(n=2\), however, an additional smoothness assumption on \({\mathcal A}\) yields an affirmative answer. Recall that the ball algebra \(A(S)\) comprises the restrictions to \(S\) of those functions that are continuous on the closed unit ball in \({\mathbb C}^n\) and holomorphic on the open unit ball. The \(n\)-torus in \({\mathbb C}^n\) is the \(n\)-fold Cartesian product of the unit circle \(T\), and the action of the \(n\)-torus on \(S\) is the map \(\,T^n\times S\to S\,\) defined by \[ \,((e^{\,i\theta_1},\,\dots ,\,e^{\,i\theta_n}),\, (z_1,\,\dots,\, z_n))\mapsto (e^{\,i\theta_1}z_1,\,\dots,\, e^{\,i\theta_n}z_n). \] An algebra \(A\) on \(S\) is invariant under the action of the \(n\)-torus provided that, for every \(f\in A\) and every point \( (e^{\,i\theta_1},\,\dots ,\,e^{\,i\theta_n})\in T^n\), the function \(\,(z_1,\,\dots,\, z_n)\mapsto f(e^{\,i\theta_1}z_1,\,\dots ,\,e^{\,i\theta_n}z_n)\,\) is in \(A\). In the proof of Theorem 2.4, the author constructs a uniform algebra \({\mathcal A}\) on the unit sphere of \({\mathbb C}^3\) such that \(A(S)\subset {\mathcal A}\subset C(S)\) (both proper containments), the maximal ideal space of \({\mathcal A}\) is \(S\), and \({\mathcal A}\) is invariant under the action of the \(3\)-torus. Moreover, the algebra \({\mathcal A}\) can be taken to be generated by \(C^\infty\)-smooth functions. The construction is based upon counterexamples to the ``peak point conjecture'' due to \textit{R.\,F.\thinspace Basener} [Trans.\ Am.\ Math.\ Soc.\ 182, 353--381 (1973; Zbl 0239.46051)] and the present author [Bull.\ Lond.\ Math.\ Soc.\ 28, No.\,4, 393--397 (1996; Zbl 0862.32010)]. In contrast, for \(n=2\), Theorem 2.2 demonstrates that, if \({\mathcal A}\) contains the ball algebra, has maximal ideal \(S\), is invariant under the action of the \(2\)-torus on \(S\), and is generated by \(C^1\) functions, then \({\mathcal A}=C(S)\). The proof is based on work of \textit{J.\,T.\thinspace Anderson} and the present author concerning variations of the peak point conjecture [Math.\ Z.\ 261, No.\,1, 65--71 (2009; Zbl 1166.46030)]. In the concluding section of the paper, the author shows (Theorem 3.1) that, if \({\mathcal A}\) is a uniform algebra on a smooth manifold \(M\) such that the maximal ideal space of \({\mathcal A}\) is \(M\) and \({\mathcal A}\) is invariant under the action of a Lie group that acts smoothly and transitively on \(M\), then \({\mathcal A}=C(M)\). The discussion and proofs bring into play a variety of classical results in the theory of uniform algebras concerning maximal ideal spaces, rational approximation, and peak points, but the relative completeness of the proofs means that it is not necessary to be too familiar with the prior work on the peak point conjecture.