Identities in algebras with involution (Q4940639)

One of the ways to introduce methods of commutative algebra in the study of polynomial identities of the \(n\times n\) matrix algebra \(M_n(K)\) over a field \(K\) of characteristic 0 is to make a correspondence between the polynomial \(g(t_1,\ldots,t_{n+1})=\sum\alpha_pt_1^{p_1}\cdots t_{n+1}^{p_{n+1}}\) in \(n+1\) commuting variables, \(\alpha_p\in K\), and the polynomial \(v(g)(x,y_1,\ldots,y_n)=\sum\alpha_px^{p_1}y_1x^{p_2}y_2\cdots y_nx^{p_{n+1}}\) in noncommuting variables. In a preprint written in the early 80's which never appeared in journal form, \textit{G. M. Bergman} described the polynomial identities \(f(x,y_1,\ldots,y_n)\) for \(M_n(K)\) which are of total degree \(n\) with respect to the \(y\)'s. There were several attempts to transfer properly the result of Bergman to the case of matrix algebras with an additional structure and, in particular, with involution. The main result of the paper under review gives a necessary condition for \(f(x,y_1,\ldots,y_n)\), \(\deg_yf=n\), to be a polynomial identity in skew-symmetric variables for the matrix algebra \(M_{2n}(K)\) with symplectic involution. If \(f\) is in the form \(\sum v(g_i)(x,y_{i_1},\ldots,y_{i_n})\), then \(t_1-t_{n+1}\) and all \(t_p^2-t_q^2\), \(1\leq p<q\leq n+1\), \((p,q)\neq(1,n+1)\), divide each of the polynomials \(g_i(t_1,\ldots,t_{n+1})\). (A recent result of the author and the reviewer [\textit{Ts. Rashkova, V. Drensky}, Rend. Circ. Mat. Palermo, II. Ser. 48, No. 1, 153-162 (1999; Zbl 0919.16019)] gives the sufficient condition that the product \(\prod_{1\leq p<q\leq n+1} (t_p^2-t_q^2)\) divides all \(g_i(t_1,\ldots,t_{n+1})\).) In this way, the minimal possible degree of a polynomial identity \(f(x,y_1,\ldots,y_n)\) in skew-symmetric variables, \(\deg_yf=n\), is equal to \(n^2+2n-1\). In the present paper the author shows also that this value is exact for \(n=3\). (Before this was known for \(n=2\).) (Also submitted to MR).