The regular algebra of a quiver. (Q875083)

The realization problem for von Neumann regular rings is to find a von Neumann regular ring \(R\) such that the monoid \({\mathcal V}(R)\) of isomorphism classes of finitely generated projective \(R\)-modules is isomorphic to a given monoid \(\mathcal M\) (which is a countable refinement conical Abelian monoid). The paper solves the problem for monoids \(M_E\) associated with column-finite quivers \(E\) (that is, quivers in which any vertex is a terminus of finitely many arrows). The construction of \(M_E\) was given by \textit{P. Ara, M. A. Moreno} and \textit{E. Pardo} [Algebr. Represent. Theory 10, No. 2, 157-178 (2007; Zbl 1123.16006)] to describe \({\mathcal V}(L(E))\) for the Leavitt path algebra \(L(E)\). Given a field \(K\) a von Neumann regular \(K\)-algebra \(Q(E)\) is associated to \(E\) in a functorial way. \(Q(E)\) is a universal localization of the usual path algebra \(P(E)\) of \(E\). It is shown, in particular, that the monoids \(M_E\) and \({\mathcal V}(Q(E))\) are isomorphic. If \(E\) is finite then \(Q(E)\) is a unital von Neumann regular hereditary ring.