Metrically and topologically projective ideals of Banach algebras (Q325662)

The aim of the paper is to provide criteria for metric and topological projectivity of closed ideals of Banach algebras that are natural counterparts of projectivity of modules, a fundamental concept in homological algebra. Let us briefly invoke the definitions of these notions (they have been defined by \textit{A. Y. Helemskiǐ} [Sb. Math. 204, No. 7, 1056--1083 (2013; Zbl 1288.46032); translation from Mat. Sb. 204, No. 7, 127--158 (2013)] and \textit{A. W. M. Graven} [Indag. Math. 41, 253--272 (1979; Zbl 0412.46057)], respectively). Let \(A\) be a (possibly non-unital) Banach algebra and let \(P,X,Y\) be Banach left \(A\)-modules. Let \(\phi: P\to Y\) and \(\xi: X\to Y\) be \(A\)-morphisms (that is, continuous left-\(A\)-module homomorphisms). An \(A\)-morphism \(\psi: P\to X\) such that \(\xi \circ \psi = \phi\) is called an extension of \(\phi\) along \(\xi\). An \(A\)-module \(P\) is metrically projective if, for any \(A\)-morphism \(\xi: X\to Y\) which maps the closed unit ball of \(X\) onto the closed unit ball of \(Y\) and every \(A\)-morphism \(\phi: P\to Y\), there exists an extension \(\psi: P\to Y\) along \(\xi\) such that \(\|\psi\|=\|\phi\|\). Topological projectivity is defined analogously, however, the requirements of mapping the closed unit ball of \(X\) by \(\phi\) onto the closed unit ball of \(Y\) and \(\|\psi\|=\|\phi\|\) are dropped. The following theorem is the main result of the paper. Let \(I\) be a closed ideal of a commutative Banach algebra \(A\). Suppose that \(I\) has a contractive/bounded approximate identity. Then \(I\) is metrically/topologically projective as an \(A\)-module if and only if \(I\) has an identity of norm \(1\)/an identity. Another interesting result of the paper under review is a refinement of an observation due to \textit{D. P. Blecher} and the reviewer [Stud. Math. 224, No. 2, 143--151 (2014; Zbl 1317.46035)] concerning \(C^*\)-algebras. Let \(I\) be a closed left ideal of a \(C^*\)-algebra \(A\). Then the following conditions are equivalent: \(I = Ap\) for some self-adjoint projection \(p\in I\); \(I\) is metrically projective; \(I\) is topologically projective. The proofs are carefully written and the paper should be enjoyable for every algebra-oriented analyst.