Test elements, retracts and automorphic orbits. (Q958071)

Denote by \(A_n\) the free associative algebra on \(n\) generators over a field of characteristic 0. Its subalgebra \(R\) is a retract if there is a projection \(\pi\) of \(A_n\) whose image is \(R\). A polynomial \(p\in A_n\) is a test element if the endomorphisms of \(A_n\) that fix \(p\) are in fact automorphisms. One defines analogous concepts for groups, commutative, Lie algebras, and so on. It is well known that a test element does not lie in any proper retract. One may ask whether the converse is true, that is, if \(p\) does not belong to proper retracts then is \(p\) a test element? It is well known that this is so in the case of groups, Lie algebras and super-algebras, absolutely free (nonassociative) algebras. The main results of the paper concern the case of \(A_2\), the free associative algebra of rank 2. The authors prove that if \(p\in A_2\) does not lie in any proper retract then it is a test element. Furthermore they prove that if \(p\) is a nonconstant element of \(A_2\) and if an endomorphism preserves the automorphic orbit of \(p\) then the endomorphism is actually an isomorphism. These two theorems strengthen results by Shpilrain and Yu, and by Yu where the same facts were obtained assuming the base field that of the complex numbers. See for details \textit{V. Shpilrain} and \textit{J.-T. Yu} [Contemp. Math. 369, 253-259 (2005; Zbl 1073.14076)], and \textit{J.-T. Yu} [J. Algebra 319, No. 3, 966-970 (2008; Zbl 1132.13008)].