Factorization of ideals

Abstract

We study the factorization of ideals of a commutative ring, defining multiple different kinds of “nonfactorable” ideals and several “factorability” properties weaker than unique factorization. We characterize (some of) these notions, determine the implications between them, and give several examples to illustrate the differences. We also examine how these properties behave with respect to localization, direct products, idealizations, polynomial rings, monoid domains, (generalized) power series rings, and the classical D + M construction. Along the way, we give some new characterizations of the finite superideal rings introduced by A.J. Hetzel and A.M. Lawson.

Keywords:

• Commutative rings
• factorization
• ideals
• multiplicative ideal theory

2010 MATHEMATICS SUBJECT CLASSIFICATION:

• 13A05
• 13A15
• 13E99
• 13F15