On the R-automorphisms of R[X] (Q797643)

Let R be a commutative ring with identity and let R[X] be the polynomial ring in one variable. In this paper the question of when R is the fixed ring \(R[X]^{G(R)}\) of the group G(R) of all R-automorphisms of R[X] is considered. A result of R. Gilmer states that the elements \(\sigma\) of G(R) are of the form \(\sigma(X)=f=\sum^{n}_{i=1}\alpha_ iX^ i\) where \(\alpha_ 1\) is a unit and \(\alpha_ i\) is nilpotent for \(i\geq 2\). The author shows that \(R[X]^{G(R)}=R[X]^{B(R)}\) where B(R) consists of those automorphisms \(X\to b+\alpha X\) where \(\alpha\) is a unit of R. Among the other results are: \((1)\quad R=R[X]^{G(R)}\) if R/M is infinite for each maximal ideal M of R, and (2) a characterization of those rings R such that \(R^{G(R)}\) contains a non-constant monic polynomial. More explicit results are given for R von Neumann regular and a counterexample to the converse of (1) above is also given.