Degree estimate for subalgebras generated by two elements. (Q2425591)

Let \(F\) be a field of characteristic 0 and let \(A\) be the free associative algebra \(F\langle x_1,\dots,x_k\rangle\) or the polynomial algebra \(F[x_1,\dots,x_k]\). The main results of the paper give estimates of the minimal degree of the elements of the subalgebra of \(A\) generated by two algebraically independent elements \(f\) and \(g\) under the natural conditions that the highest homogeneous forms of \(f\) and \(g\) are algebraically dependent and the degrees of \(f\) and \(g\) do not divide each other. The results are given in terms of the degree of the commutator \([f,g]\) in the case of free algebras and the degree of the differential form \(df\wedge dg\) in the commutative case. The paper is motivated by the results of \textit{I. P. Shestakov, U. U. Umirbaev} [J. Am. Math. Soc. 17, No. 1, 181-196 (2004; Zbl 1044.17014); ibid. 17, No. 1, 197-227 (2004; Zbl 1056.14085)] where estimates of the degree for \(A=F[x_1,\dots,x_k]\) were essential in the description of tame automorphisms of \(F[x,y,z]\) and the remarkable result that the Nagata automorphism is wild. In the present paper the authors involve a new technique. They use the lemma on radicals for the Malcev-Neumann algebra of formal power series [\textit{G. M. Bergman}, Bull. Malays. Math. Soc., II. Ser. 1, 29-41 (1978; Zbl 0395.16002)]. The estimate in the polynomial case slightly refines the estimate of Shestakov and Umirbaev.