On the identities of the Grassmann algebras in characteristic \(p>0\) (Q5935814)

The main object in the paper under review is the T-ideal \(T(G)\) of the Grassmann algebra of an infinite dimensional vector space over an infinite field of odd characteristic. When all algebras are assumed to be unitary, the authors prove that the structure of \(T(G)\) is similar to that in characteristic 0: \(T(G)\) is generated by the commutator \([x_1,x_2,x_3]\). The only T-ideals properly containing \(T(G)\) are those generated by \([x_1,x_2,x_3]\) and \([x_1,x_2]\cdots[x_{2k-1},x_{2k}]\). The T-ideal generated by \([x_1,x_2,x_3]\) and \([x_1,x_2]\cdots[x_{2k-1},x_{2k}]\) coincides with the T-ideals \(T(G_{2k-2})\) and \(T(G_{2k-1})\) where \(G_n\) is the Grassmann algebra of the \(n\)-dimensional vector space. In particular, any T-ideal containing \([x_1,x_2,x_3]\) is finitely generated as a T-ideal. The main result of the paper is the negative solution for \(p=3\) of a problem of Kemer whether the Grassmann algebra over an infinite field of characteristic \(p\) satisfies all polynomial identities of the matrix algebra of order \((p+1)/2\). The authors find an explicit matrix polynomial identity of degree 6 which does not hold for the algebra \(G_6\) and hence also for \(G\). The general case of the problem of Kemer is still open. The results of the paper give also some information for the polynomial identities of \(2\times 2\) matrices over an infinite field of odd characteristic. It is worth to mention that recently one of the authors [\textit{P. Koshlukov}, J. Algebra 241, No. 1, 410-434 (2001; Zbl 0988.16015)] has found an explicit basis of the identities of the \(2\times 2\) matrix algebra in the case considered. The polynomial identities of the non-unitary Grassmann algebra over an arbitrary field of positive characteristic were found by \textit{A. N. Stoyanova-Venkova} [Serdica 6, 63-72 (1980; Zbl 0463.15020)] in the finite dimensional case and by \textit{P. Zh. Chiripov, P. N. Siderov} [PLISKA, Stud. Math. Bulg. 1981, No. 2, 103-115 (1981; Zbl 0483.16014)] in the case of infinite dimension. The authors of the present paper give a brief account on these two papers because it seems that the papers are not really accessible. Different aspects of multilinear polynomial identities of \(G\) over a finite field were studied also by \textit{A. Regev} [Commun. Algebra 19, No. 6, 1829-1849 (1991; Zbl 0733.16008)].