An algebraic proof of a cancellation theorem for surfaces (Q958522)

The paper contains a new proof of the following special case of the Zariski Cancellation Theorem: ``If \(V\) is an affine surface over an algebraically closed field \(k\) such that \(V\times k\cong k^3,\) then \(V\cong k^2.\)'' This theorem was proved earlier and in a more general form by \textit{T. Fujita}, Proc. Jap. Acad., Ser. A 55, 106--110 (1979; Zbl 0444.14026)], \textit{M. Miyanishi} and \textit{T. Sugie} [J. Math. Kyoto Univ. 20, 11--42 (1980; Zbl 0445.14017)], and \textit{P. Russell} [Math. Ann. 255, 287--302 (1981; Zbl 0438.14024)], but the proofs were rather sophisticated. The proof in this paper is much simpler. It is based on absolutely different algebraic tools, such as exponential map and the \(AK\) (\(ML\)) invariant. Concerning the \(AK\) invariant, the authors prove that if \(A\) is finitely generated domain with \(AK(A)=A,\) then \(AK(A[x])=A.\) Unfortunately, the proof cannot be extended to the case of a ring of polynomials in more than one variable.