Basis of the identities of the matrix algebra of order two over a field of characteristic \(p\neq 2\) (Q5946424)

Polynomial identities of the associative \(2\times 2\) matrix algebra \(M_2\) over a field \(K\) and of its Lie subalgebra \(\mathfrak{sl}_2\) have been attracting the attention of a large number of algebraists for more than 30 years. Concerning the basis (a generating set) of the identities of \(M_2\), the information is complete in the case of characteristic 0, when all identities of \(M_2\) follow from the standard identity \(s_4(x_1,x_2,x_3,x_4)=0\) and the Hall identity \([[x_1,x_2]^2,x_3]=0\) (which expresses the fact that the square of a traceless \(2\times 2\) matrix is in the centre) [see \textit{Yu. P. Razmyslov}, Algebra Logic 12, 47-63 (1973); translation from Algebra Logika 12, 83-113 (1973; Zbl 0282.17003) and \textit{V. S. Drensky}, Algebra Logic 20, 188-194 (1982); translation from Algebra Logika 20, 282-290 (1981; Zbl 0496.16017)], and over a finite field [\textit{Yu. N. Mal'tsev, E. N. Kuz'min}, Algebra Logic 17, 18-21 (1978); translation from Algebra Logika 17, 28-32 (1978; Zbl 0395.16014)]. Partial results are known also over an infinite field of positive characteristic. The purpose of the paper under review is to give an explicit basis of four identities for the polynomial identities of \(M_2\) over an infinite field \(K\) of odd characteristic. If \(\text{char }K>5\), then the basis consists of two identities only and these are the standard identity and the multilinear analogue of the Hall identity \([[x_1,x_2]\circ[x_3,x_4],x_5]=0\), where \(u\circ v={1\over 2}(uv+vu)\). The author also shows that if \(\text{char }K=3\), then these two identities do not form a basis. The main related problem which is still open is whether \(M_2\) has a finite basis of identities when \(\text{char }K=2\). Although containing a lot of technical moments, the paper is quite interesting and the proofs involve various methods including the characteristic free approach to invariant theory of \textit{C. de Concini, C. Procesi} [Adv. Math. 21, 330-354 (1976; Zbl 0347.20025)].