Embedding \(*\)-ordered domains into skew fields. (Q2509262)

Let \(R\) be an integral domain. It is well-known that if \(R\) is an Ore domain (e.g. commutative), then it is embeddable in a field \(K(R)\) of fractions. As shown by \textit{A. I. Mal'cev}, \(R\) does not necessarily embed in a skew field [see Math. Ann. 113, 686-691 (1937; Zbl 0015.38801)]. More refined examples of this kind were given later by Bokut', Bowtell, Klein and Cohn, among others [see, e.g., \textit{L. A. Bokut}'s survey in Usp. Mat. Nauk 42, No. 4(256), 87-111 (1987; Zbl 0632.16001); transl. in Russ. Math. Surv. 42, No. 4, 105-138 (1987)]. Necessary and sufficient conditions that \(R\) embeds in a skew field have been found by \textit{P. M. Cohn} [see his monograph Skew fields. Theory of general division rings. Encycl. Math. Appl. 57, Cambridge: Cambridge Univ. Press (1995; Zbl 0840.16001)]. Note also that the fulfillment of these conditions does not guarantee uniqueness, up to an \(R\)-isomorphism, of the minimal skew field extensions of \(R\). The situation remains the same when \(R\) is an ordered domain. On the other hand, the case where \(R\) has an involution \(\sigma\) and is endowed with a \(\sigma\)-ordering is still open. Then one can associate with the \(\sigma\)-ordering of \(R\) a \(\sigma\)-valuation of \(R\) [\textit{M. Marshall}, Commun. Algebra 28, No. 3, 1157-1173 (2000; Zbl 0955.16029)]. Under the hypothesis that this valuation satisfies an Ore-type condition, the paper under review proves that \(R\) embeds in an order-preserving way into a \(\overline\sigma\)-ordered skew field \(\overline R\), where \(\overline\sigma\) is an involution of \(\overline R\). The author gives a number of concrete examples, to which this result can be applied. He also answers affirmatively a question on \(\sigma\)-ordered groups, posed by Marshall.