On invariant submonoids (Q7020469)

The author proves the following result, in the spirit of Herstein. Let \(R\) be a central simple algebra with involution \(\sigma\), over a field of characteristic not~\(2\). Assume \(R\) has a noncentral submonoid \(M\) invariant under conjugation and under \(\sigma\), such that the set \(\left\{x-\sigma(x) \,:\, x \in M \right\}\) is commutative. Then \(R\) is a quaternion algebra, and the involution is orthogonal. \par\N\NThe proof combines Herstein's theorem that the elements \(x - \sigma(x)\), \(x \in R\), generate \(R\) unless \(R\) is a quaternion algebra; and the Brauer-Cartan-Hua theorem.