Classification of factorial generalized down-up algebras. (Q405918)

Let \(\mathbb K\) be an algebraically closed field of characteristic 0, let \(r,s,\gamma\in\mathbb K\), and let \(f\in\mathbb K[x]\). A unital associative \(\mathbb K\)-algebra \(L(f,r,s,\gamma)\) on three generators \(d,u,h\), subject to the relations \[ dh-rhd+\gamma d=0,\qquad hu-rhu+\gamma u=0,\quad du-sud+f(h)=0, \] has been called a generalized down-up algebra by \textit{T. Cassidy} and \textit{B. Shelton} [J. Algebra 279, No. 1, 402-421 (2004; Zbl 1078.16019)]. It turns out that an algebra \(L\) of this type is Noetherian, if and only if \(L\) is a domain, which is the case precisely when \(rs\neq 0\). The choice \(f(x)=x\) yields the down-up algebras that were introduced by \textit{G. Benkart} and \textit{T. Roby} [J. Algebra 209, No. 1, 305-344 (1998; Zbl 0922.17006); addendum ibid. 213, No. 1, 378 (1999)]. Since the class of generalized down-up algebras encompasses many familiar algebras, such as, for example, the enveloping algebra of the semisimple Lie algebra \(\mathfrak{sl}_2\), the traceless matrices of size 2, the enveloping algebra of the 3-dimensional Heisenberg Lie algebra \(\mathfrak h\), etc., these algebras have been studied extensively in recent years. The article under review focuses on the unique factorization property as defined by \textit{A. W. Chatters} and \textit{D. A. Jordan} [J. Lond. Math. Soc., II. Ser. 33, 22-32 (1986; Zbl 0601.16001)]. A Noetherian domain \(R\) is called a unique factorization ring (Noetherian UFR, for short), if \(R\) contains at least one height one prime ideal and every height one prime ideal is generated by a normal element, that is, by an element \(p\) such that \(Rp=pR\). If furthermore \(R/P\) is a domain for each height one prime ideal \(P\), then \(R\) is called a Noetherian unique factorization domain (Noetherian UFD, for short). The first of the two main results of the paper, called Theorem A, asserts that a generalized down-up algebra \(L\) with \(rs\neq 0\) is a Noetherian UFD if and only if it is a Noetherian UFR and the subgroup \(\langle r,s\rangle\) of the multiplicative group of \(\mathbb K\) is torsion-free. Theorem B has a less elegant formulation, insofar as it provides a list of three conditions on the parameters \(f,r,s,\gamma\), each necessary and sufficient, under which \(L(f,r,s,\gamma)\) is not a Noetherian UFR. -- As is common in this field, the proofs of both theorems involve numerous case-by-case calculations.