Tame algebras and Tits quadratic forms. (Q610697)

Let \(K\) be an algebraically closed field, and \(A\) be an associative finite dimensional basic and connected \(K\)-algebra with identity. Then the algebra \(A\) has a presentation \(A\cong KQ/I\), where \(KQ\) is the path algebra of the Gabriel quiver \(Q=Q_A\) of \(A\) and \(I\) is an admissible ideal in \(KQ\). An algebra \(A\) with \(Q_A\) having no oriented cycle is called a triangular algebra. A full subcategory \(C\) of \(A\) is said to be convex if any path in \(Q_A\) with source and sink in \(Q_C\) lies entirely in \(Q_C\). A triangular algebra \(A\) is strongly simply connected if every convex subcategory of \(A\) has the separation property, or equivalently, if the first Hochschild cohomology space \(H^1(C,C)\) of any convex subcategory \(C\) of \(A\) vanishes. In the paper under review, the authors solve a long standing problem raised by S. Brenner in 1975 concerning the connection between the tameness of simply connected algebras and the weak nonnegativity of the associated Tits integral quadratic forms. In his fundamental paper [Manuscr. Math. 6, 71-103 (1972); Berichtigung. ibid. 6, 309 (1972; Zbl 0232.08001)], \textit{P. Gabriel} proved that the path algebra \(KQ\) of a finite connected quiver \(Q\) is representation-finite if and only if the associated Tits form of \(Q\) is positive. \textit{L. A. Nazarova} [Izv. Akad. Nauk. SSSR, Ser. Mat. 37, 752-791 (1973; Zbl 0298.15012)] proved that the path algebra \(KQ\) of a finite connected quiver \(Q\) is tame if and only if the associated Tits form of \(Q\) is nonnegative. \textit{S. Brenner} [Lect. Notes Math. 488, 29-53 (1975; Zbl 0366.05034)] initiated the study of connections between the representation type of algebras given by quivers with relations and the definiteness of certain quadratic forms, and raised the general question. \textit{K. Bongartz} [J. Lond. Math. Soc., II. Ser. 28, 461-469 (1983; Zbl 0532.16020)] associated a Tits quadratic form \(q_A\) to any triangular algebra, and showed that if the Auslander-Reiten quiver of a triangular algebra \(A\) admits a preprojective component then \(A\) is representation-finite if and only if the Tits form \(q_A\) of \(A\) is weakly positive. The main result of this paper is a natural extension of the result by Bongartz to tame algebras, and solves the problem raised by S. Brenner. It states that if \(A\) is a strongly simply connected algebra, then \(A\) is tame if and only if the Tits form \(q_A\) of \(A\) is weakly nonnegative. The authors also derive several consequences from this Main Theorem.