Smooth polynomial identity algebras with almost factorial centers. (Q2497449)

Let \(R\) be a prime Noetherian P.I. ring whose P.I.-degree is \(d\), and let \(Z(R)\) denote the centre of \(R\). Assume also that \(R\) is smooth (i.e., \(R\) has finite global dimension and the projective dimension of \(R/M\) is constant for all maximal ideals \(M\) of \(R\) in the same clique), and that \(R\) has trivial \(K_0\) (i.e., every finitely generated projective \(R\)-module whose uniform dimension is divisible by that of \(R\) is stably free). Such rings \(R\) form a very wide generalisation of commutative (i.e. \(d=1\)) regular local rings, and one of the motivations of this work is to generalise the famous result of Auslander and Buchsbaum that every commutative regular local ring is a UFD. This is achieved in the result that the \(d\)-th symbolic power of each height-1 prime ideal of \(R\) is principal with a central generator, and the divisor class group of \(Z(R)\) is \(d\)-torsion. Along the way it is shown that \(R\) is a maximal order. Numerous important types of rings are shown to satisfy the above hypotheses, and examples are given to show why the hypotheses and conclusions of the above theorem are stated in the way they are. This is a very sophisticated piece of work, which involves a wide range of theory and techniques.