Rank-stability of polynomial equations (Q6919355)

Let \(A\in M_n(F)\) be an \(n\times n\) matrix over a field \(F\), then its normalized rank \(rk(A)\) is its usual rank \(\mathrm{rank}(A)\) divided by \(n\). Then one defines a discrete metric on \(M_n(F)\) by means of \(d(A,B)=rk(A-B)\). Denote by \(M_N(F)=\cup_{n=1}^\infty M_n(F)\) and embed \(A\) into \(\widehat{A}\in M_N(F)\) into the upper left corner. In analogy with Group Theory, the authors define the notion of rank-stability for algebras. Let \(P_1\), \dots, \(P_r\)be a collection of noncommutative polynomials in \(d\) variables, and let \(\mathcal{A}=F\langle x_1,\dots,x_d\rangle/\langle P_1,\ldots, P_r\rangle\) be the quotient of the free algebra of rank \(d\) by the relations \(P_1\), \dots, \(P_r\). Then \(\mathcal{A}\) is rank-stable whenever for every \(\varepsilon>0\) there is a \(\delta>0\) such that for every \(n\) and every \(d\)-tuple of \(n\times n\) matrices \(\vec{A}=(A_1,\ldots, A_d)\), the inequalities \(rk(P_i(\vec{A}))<\delta\) for every \(i\), imply that there exists \(n'\) and a \(d\)-tuple \(\vec{B}\) of \(n'\times n'\)matrices with \(P_i(\vec{B})=0\), and moreover \(\mathrm{rank}(\hat{A_i}-\hat{B_i})<n\varepsilon\) for every \(i\). Then the \(d\)-tuple \(\vec{B}\) approximates \(\vec{A}\). Clearly an analogous definition can be given for Lie algebras.\N\NThe authors list several examples of rank-stable algebras. It turns out that \(F\langle x,y\rangle/\langle xy\rangle\) is such. The quotient of the polynomial algebra in one variable by the ideal generated by a polynomial that splits over \(F\) is also rank-stable. Linear sofic algebras are rank-stable as well. The first Weyl algebra is not rank-stable, though. In analogy with the case of groups, the authors prove that if \(\mathcal{A}\) is finitely presented algebra then its rank-stability does not depend on the concrete presentation of the algebra. This allows them to prove that finite dimensional algebras are rank-stable. Furthermore the authors relate rank-stability for groups and for their group algebras, in the sense that if \(G\) is a finitely presented group, then \(G\) is rank-stable if and only if its group algebra is. Then they proceed to describe the preservation of rank-stability under various constructions, like free products, direct products. If \(\mathcal{A}\) is finitely presented, and has a finite-dimensional representation, then it is rank-stable if and only if \(M_n(\mathcal{A})\) is rank-stable. Finally the authors give conditions under which an algebra \(\mathcal{A}\) is not rank-stable. Moreover they prove that in the case of Lie algebras there appear significant differences. Namely, if \(L\) is a finite dimensional Lie algebra which is not solvable, or has nilpotent but not abelian homomorphic image, then \(L\) is not rank-stable.