\(n\)-homomorphisms (Q875712)

Let \(\mathcal A\) and \(\mathcal B\) be algebras over \(\mathbb C\), and let \(n \in \mathbb N\). Then a linear map \(\phi : {\mathcal A} \to {\mathcal B}\) is called an \textit{\(n\)-homomorphism} if \(\phi(a_1 \cdots a_n) = \phi(a_1) \cdots \phi(a_n)\). Trivially, every homomorphism is an \(n\)-homomorphism, whereas the converse is false. In the paper under review, the authors study \(n\)-homomorphisms under various aspects and, in particular, relate them to homomorphisms. Other results are (for instance): if \(\mathcal A\) is commutative, \(\mathcal B\) is semiprime, and \(\phi\) is onto, then \(\mathcal B\) is commutative; or: if \(\mathcal A\) and \(\mathcal B\) are Banach algebras and \(\phi\) is continuous, then \(\phi^{\ast\ast}\) is also an \(n\)-homomorphisms.