Gelfand-Kirillov dimension of algebras with locally nilpotent derivations. (Q2339614)

The authors prove the following main result: Theorem. Let \(R\) be a finitely generated algebra over a field of characteristic 0 with a locally nilpotent derivation \(\delta\neq 0\) and \(R^\delta\) the invariant subalgebra. If \(\mathrm{GKdim}(R)<\mathrm{GKdim}(R^\delta)+2<\infty\), where \(R^\delta\) is prime and satisfies a polynomial identity, then \(\mathrm{GKdim}(R)=\mathrm{GKdim}(R^\delta)+1\). In particular, \(\mathrm{GKdim}(R)\) must be a positive integer. The authors show that if \(R\) is a domain, then it need not be finitely generated. This allows to obtain a result on skew polynomial rings. Corollary. Let \(R\) be a domain over a field of characteristic 0 which satisfies a polynomial identity. If \(\delta\) is a derivation of \(R\) such that \(\mathrm{GKdim}(R[x;d])<\mathrm{GKdim}(R)+2<\infty\), then \(\mathrm{GKdim}(R[x;d])=\mathrm{GKdim}(R)+1\). In particular, \(\mathrm{GKdim}(R[x;d])\) must be a positive integer.