The group of units of a commutative semigroup ring (Q5906617)

Let \(R\) be a commutative ring, and let \(S\) be a commutative semigroup. Let \(V(RS)\) be the set of quasi-invertible elements of the semigroup ring \(RS\), and let \(N(RS)\) be the nilradical of \(RS\). For \(r\in RS\), let \(\text{cliff} (r)\) denote the subsemigroup of \(S\) generated by all subgroups intersecting \(\text{supp} (r)\). Let \(G\) be the union of all subgroups of \(S\). Then \(V (RS)= V(RG)+ N(RS)\). Moreover, \(r\in RG\) belongs to \(V(RG)\) if and only if \(e(\sum_{s\in E_ e} r_ s s)\in V(RG_ e)\) for each idempotent \(e\in \text{cliff} (r)\), where \(G_ e\) is the largest subgroup of \(S\) containing \(e\) and \(E_ e= \{s\in S\mid e\in S^ 1 s\}\). These results are proved by applying lemmas that the author proves about band graded rings. Several applications of the main results are made to the study of the group of units \(U(RS)\) for the case in which \(R\) and \(S\) have identity elements. For example: (1) \(U(RS)= U(RG)+ N(RS)\); and (2) \(U(RS)= U(RU(S))\) if and only if \(S\) is almost combinatorial, \(N(RS)= N(RU(S))\), and either \(S\) contains only one idempotent or \(U(R)= \{1\}\).