Non-commutative Gröbner bases for commutative algebras (Q4383047)

Let \(k\) be a field, \(k[x]=k[x_1,\dots,x_n]\) the polynomial ring in \(n\) variables, \(k\langle X\rangle=k\langle X_1,\dots,X_n\rangle\) the free associative algebra in \(n\) variables, and let \(\gamma\colon k\langle X\rangle\to k[x]\) be the natural map. Further, let \(I\) be an ideal of \(k[x]\) and let \(J=\gamma^{-1}(I)\). The authors give an explicit description of the minimal Gröbner bases for \(J\) with respect to monomial orders on \(k\langle X\rangle\) that are lexicographic extensions of monomial orders on \(k[x]\). If \(k\) is infinite, then \(J\) has a finite Gröbner basis, and if \(k\) has characteristic \(0\), then such a basis can be obtained by lifting a Gröbner basis of \(I\) and adding commutators. Examples are given to show that these conclusions do not hold if \(k\) is finite or if it has positive characteristic.