Matrix evaluations of noncommutative rational functions and Waring problems

DOI10.1007/S00029-025-01098-7MaRDI QIDQ6895657zbMATH OpenFDO

Authors Matej Brešar, Jurij Volčič

Publication date 25 November 2025

Published in Selecta Mathematica. New Series (Search for Journal in Brave)

Full work available at URL https://doi.org/10.1007/S00029-025-01098-7

zbMATH Keywords

matrix algebranoncommutative polynomialnoncommutative rational functionWaring problem

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

(T)-ideals, identities, varieties of associative rings and algebras (16R10) Associative rings determined by universal properties (free algebras, coproducts, adjunction of inverses, etc.) (16S10) Endomorphism rings; matrix rings (16S50) Associative rings of fractions and localizations (16S85) Functions whose values are linear operators (operator- and matrix-valued functions, etc., including analytic and meromorphic ones) (47A56)

Review text

Let us describe the main results of this important and nicely written paper.\N\NLet \(r\) be a nonconstant noncommutative rational function in \(m\) variables over an algebraically closed field \(K\) of characteristic 0. The authors show that for \(n\) large enough, there exists an \(X\in M_n(K)^m\) such that \(r(X)\) has \(n\) distinct and nonzero eigenvalues. This result is used to study the linear and multiplicative Waring problems for matrix algebras. Concerning the linear problem, they show that for \(n\) large enough, every matrix in \(sl_n(K)\) can be written as \(r(Y)-r(Z)\) for some \(Y,Z\in M_n(K)^m\). The authors also discuss variations of this result for the case where \(r\) is a noncommutative polynomial. Concerning the multiplicative problem, they show, among other results, that if \(f\) and \(g\) are nonconstant polynomials, then, for \(n\) large enough, every nonscalar matrix in \(GL_n(K)\) can be written as \(f(Y)g(Z)\) for some \(Y,Z\in M_n(K)^m\).\N\NThe authors pose the following interesting and important\N\NQuestion. If \(f\in\mathbb{K}<x>\) is not constant on \(n\times n\) matrices, does there exist \(X\in\mathbb{M}_{n}^m\) such that \(\mbox{rk} f(X)\le 1\)?\N\NI recommend to reader to see [\textit{N. L. Gordeev} et al., Russ. Math. Surv. 73, No. 5, 753--796 (2018; Zbl 1442.20028); translation from Usp. Mat. Nauk 73, No. 5, 3--52 (2018); \textit{A. Kanel-Belov} et al., SIGMA, Symmetry Integrability Geom. Methods Appl. 16, Paper 071, 61 p. (2020; Zbl 1459.16012)].

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