proof of spectrum of an element in any unital complex banach algebra is not empty

296 Views Asked by At

This is related to Lang Real and Functional Analysis Chpt XVI, Sec 1.

Let $A$ be a banach algebra. Let $v\in A$. Spectrum of $v$ is defined as $\{z\in C\vert$ $v-ze$ is not invertible$\}$.

Thm 1.2 Let $A$ be an unital commutative normed algebra over real. Assume there is $j\in A$ s.t. $j^2=-e$. Let complex number $C=R+Rj$. Given $v\in A,v\neq 0$, there exists $c\in C$ s.t. $v-ce$ is not invertible in $A$.

Cor 1.4 The spectrum of an element in any complex Banach algebra(commutative or not) with unit element is not empty.

I am having trouble to follow the proof.

"If $A$ is a banach algebra with unit and $v\in A$, then closure of algebra generated by $v$ and unit is a commutative banach algebra. Hence, it follows from Thm 1.2 above."

$\textbf{Q:}$ Why it follows from Thm 1.2 above? Consider $v\in A$. Denote spectrum of $v$ in $A$ as $Sp_A(v)$. Denote the closure of algebra generated by $v$ and unit by $B$. It follows from Thm 1.2 that $Sp_B(v)\neq\emptyset$. Why is $Sp_A(v)\neq\emptyset$? This is more or less like the following statement. Given a ring inclusion map, $B\subset A$, non-units of $B$ are non-units of $A$. Take $B=k[x]$ and $A=k(x)$. Certainly non-units of $B$ other than $0$ are invertible in $A$.

1

There are 1 best solutions below

0
On BEST ANSWER

The proof is indeed wrong for the reason that you say. To fix it, you have to let $B$ be the closure of the algebra generated by $v$ and the elements $(v-ce)^{-1}$ for all $c\in\mathbb{C}$. Then clearly $Sp_B(v)=\emptyset$, and $B$ is still commutative (here we use the fact that if $a$ and $b$ commute and $b$ is invertible then $a$ and $b^{-1}$ commute, since $ab^{-1}=b^{-1}bab^{-1}=b^{-1}abb^{-1}=b^{-1}a$).