2-join decomposition lattices. (Q5932591)

In the paper principal element lattices and Dedekind domains are described in terms of 2-join decomposition lattices. A principally generated \(C\)-lattice \(L\) is said to be a 2-join decomposition lattice if there exists a multiplicatively closed set \(S\) of elements such that \(S\) generates \(L\) under joins and for all \(x,y\in S\), \(x\vee y\) is a finite meet of prime power elements. The following main result is proved: The following statements on \(L\) are equivalent: (i) \(L\) is a principal element lattice. (ii) \(L\) is a 2-join decomposition lattice and every compact element is principal. (iii) \(L\) is a 2-decomposition lattice and satisfies the union conditions on primes. (iv) Every compact element of \(L\) is a finite meet of prime power elements. This theorem is applied to give a nice characterization of generalized ZPI-rings.