Rank in Banach algebras: a generalized Cayley-Hamilton theorem (Q306472)

Let \(A\) be a semisimple complex Banach algebra with identity, and let \(a\) be an element in the socle of \(A\). Then the spectrum \(\sigma(a)\) of \(a\) is finite and each \(\lambda\in\sigma(a)\) has a finite multiplicity \(m(\lambda,a)\) [\textit{B. Aupetit} and \textit{H. du T. Mouton}, Stud. Math. 121, No. 2, 115--136 (1996; Zbl 0872.46028)]. Then the authors define the generalized characteristic polynomial of \(a\) as the complex polynomial \(p_a(z)=\prod_{\lambda\in\sigma(a)}(\lambda-z)^{m(\lambda,a)}\), and they prove that \(p_a(a)=0\).