Centralizers in free associative algebras and generic matrices (Q2684853)

Let \(K\) be a field, and \(K\langle X\rangle\) the free associative algebra on \(X\). Let \(C\) be a centralizer of an element in \(K\langle X\rangle\setminus K\). The Bergman centralizer theorem states that \(C\) is a polynomial algebra on a single variable [\textit{G. M. Bergman}, Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 137, 327--344 (1969; Zbl 0175.31501)]. In this article under review, this theorem is reproved making use of generic matrices reduction and invariant theory. Thus, the centralizers of non-scalar elements from the free associative algebra case are transferred into the algebra of generic matrices. After a review of some fundamental results on generic matrices and establishment that the algebra of generic matrices is a domain, and that the algebra of generic matrices with characteristic coefficients is integrally closed, the authors reprove Bergman's theorem with the following argument. First of all, \(C\) has transcendence degree \(1\). A theorem of Bergman says that there is a monomorphism \(\rho\) which sends \(C\) the polynomial algebra over \(K\) in one variable. As \(C\) is integrally closed and finitely generated, it can be embedded into the polynomial ring in one indeterminate, and since \(C\) is integrally closed, it is isomorphic to the polynomial ring in one indeterminate. Write \(C=\cup_{\ell\in\mathbb{N}}C_{\ell}\), where \(C_{\ell}\) is a subalgebra of \(C\) with \(\ell\) generators. Let \(\overline{C_{\ell}}\) be the integral closure of \(C_{\ell}\). Then \(\overline{C_{\ell}}=K[z_{\ell}]\) for some \(z_{\ell}\in C_{\ell}\). The sequence \(K[z_{\ell}]\subseteq K[z_{\ell+1}]\subseteq\dots\) stabilizes for some element \(z\) and \(K[z]\) is the needed centralizer.