Trace identities and almost polynomial growth (Q2196359)

A trace function on an \(F\)-algebra \(A\) is a linear map \(\mathrm{tr}:A\rightarrow F\) satisfying \(\mathrm{tr}(ab)=\mathrm{tr}(ba)\) for all \(a,b\in A\). Analogous to the theory of polynomial identities, there is a theory of trace identities. For example, \(2\times2\) matrices satisfy the identity \[\textstyle x^2-\mathrm{tr}(x)x+\frac12(\mathrm{tr}(x)^2-\mathrm{tr}(x^2))=0.\] And, analogous to the theory of codimensions, there is a theory of trace codimensions. The paper under review studies trace identities and trace codimensions, concentrating on certain two dimensional algebras, \(D_2^{t_{\alpha,\beta}}\), the two by two diagonal matrices with trace of \(xe_{11}+ye_{22}\) equal to \(\alpha x+\beta y\); and \(C_2^{t_{\alpha,\beta}}\), the two by two matrices spanned by the identity matrix \(I\) and the matrix unit \(e_{12}\), with trace of \(xI+ye_{12}\) equal to \(\alpha x+\beta y\). The authors determine a generating set for the ideal of trace identities of each of these algebras as well as the exact value of the trace codimensions. Of special interest are algebras \(A\) whose trace codimension sequence is exponential in the sense that \(c_n(A)^{1/n}>1\) but such that any algebra satisfying strictly more trace identities has codimension sequence bounded by a polynomial. In the case of ordinary p.i. algebras, \textit{A. R. Kemer} proved in [Transl., Ser. 2, Am. Math. Soc. 148, 65--71 (1991; Zbl 0736.16013)], that all algebras with this property for the ordinary codimension are p.i. equivalent to either the Grassmann algebra or \(2\times 2\) upper triangular matrices. In the current paper, the authors prove that every algebra with trace having this property for trace codimensions is trace p.i. equivalent to one of: \(D^{t_{\alpha,\beta}}\), where \(\alpha\) and \(\beta\) are not both zero; \(C_2^{t_{\alpha,1}}\), where \(\alpha\) is not zero; or \(2\times 2\) upper triangular matrices.