Real-linear isometries between function algebras (Q657390)

Let \(A\) and \(B\) be uniformly closed function algebras (not necessarily with units) on locally compact Hausdorff spaces with Choquet boundaries Ch\((A)\) and Ch\((B)\). It is shown that if \(T: A\to B\) is a surjective real-linear isometry, then there is a continuous function \(\kappa\) from Ch\((B)\) to the unit circle, an open and closed subset \(K\subset\) Ch\((B)\) and a homeomorphism \(\varphi:\) Ch\((B)\to\) Ch\((A)\) such that for each \(f\in A\) the following holds: \(T(f)=\kappa(f\circ\varphi)\) on \(K\) and \(T(f)=\kappa(\overline{f\circ\varphi})\) on Ch\((B)\setminus K\). The sets \(K\) and Ch\((B)\setminus K\) might be empty and the uniform closedness of the algebras is not essential. The result is a generalized version of a theorem by \textit{A. J. Ellis} on uniform algebras, see, e.g. [``Real linear isometries of complex function spaces'', Function spaces, Proc. Conf., Edwardsville/IL (USA) 1990, Lect. Notes Pure Appl. Math 136, 71--78 (1992; Zbl 0792.47034)]. The author provides a direct construction of the homeomorphism \(\varphi\). Note that since the algebras might not have units, the use of complex states is ruled out.