The central polynomials for the Grassmann algebra. (Q607849)

Let \(F_1\langle X\rangle\) be the unitary free associative algebra of infinite rank over an infinite field \(F\) of characteristic different from 2. In the paper under review the authors give a complete description of the central polynomials for the infinite-dimensional Grassmann algebra \(G\). The description is in terms of T-spaces, i.e., vector subspaces of \(F_1\langle X\rangle\) closed under endomorphisms. Over a field of positive characteristic \(p\) the authors present an infinite list of generators of the T-space \(C(G)\) of central polynomials for \(G\) (\(C(G)\) is taken together with the polynomial identities for \(G\)). The main results give: (i) \(C(G)\) is not finitely generated as a T-space; (ii) \(C(G)\) is a limit T-space which means that every T-space properly containing \(C(G)\) is finitely generated. In characteristic 0 the T-space \(C(G)\) is generated by \(x_1[x_2,x_3,x_4]\) and \([x_1,x_2]\). The (multilinear) codimension sequence of \(C(G)\) is \(c_n=2^{n-2}\), \(n\geq 2\). Finally, the authors obtain similar characterizations of \(C(G)\) in the non-unitary free algebra \(F\langle X\rangle\). Very recently, part of the results of the paper under review have been obtained independently by \textit{A. V. Grishin} [Russ. Math. Surv. 65, No. 4, 781-782 (2010); translation from Usp. Mat. Nauk 65, No. 4, 191-192 (2010; Zbl 1206.16013)].