On a characterization of algebraic number fields with class number less than three (Q2641349)

Let D be an integral domain. D is a half factorial domain (HFD) if any two factorizations of an element of D into irreducibles contains the same number of irreducible factors. D is a congruence half factorial domain (CHFD) of order r, if there exists an integer \(r>1\) such that if \(\prod^{n}_{i=1}x_ i=\prod^{m}_{i=1}y_ i\) with all the \(x_ i\) and \(y_ i\) irreducible, then \(n\equiv m(mod r)\). The authors prove that if D is the ring of integers of a finite algebraic number field K then K has class number less or equal two if and only if D is a CHFD for some \(r>1\). From this conclusion it follows, according to a theorem of Carlitz that for such rings CHFD for som \(r>1\) and HFD are equivalent.