Trying to generalize a property from UFD to GCD domains.

abstract-algebracommutative-algebradivisibilityring-theory

Let $D$ be a GCD domain, ie. the greatest common divisor of any pair of non-zero elements in $D$ always exists. I'm trying to prove or disprove the following conclusion which is valid when $D$ is a UFD:

For any $d\in D$ and $n\in\mathbb Z^+$, there exist a $t\in D$ such that $\forall a\in D$, $d\mid a^n$ iff $t\mid a$.

If $D$ is an UFD, then we have a factorization $d=\alpha p_1^{e_1}p_2^{e_2}\cdots p_k^{e_k}$, where $\alpha$ is a unit of $D$, $p_i$'s are distinct primes of $D$, $e_i$'s are positive integers. Apparently taking $t=p_1^{\lceil \frac{e_1}n \rceil}p_2^{\lceil \frac{e_2}n\rceil}\cdots p_k^{\lceil \frac{e_k}n\rceil}$ would meet the requirement.

When $D$ is just a GCD domain, intuitively I think this proposition is still valid, but I have no idea how to prove it. Anyone might help me?

Best Answer

I don't think it is true for any GCD, consider smooth functions on interval $(-1,1)$, the irreducibles are $x-a$(probably, im not 100% sure), the existence of flat functions will show that the conclusion is not true.

To be precise, let $D$ be the $\mathbb{R}$-algebra generated by $x$(a function) and all $\phi/x^i$ for integer $i$ $\ge 0$, where $\phi$ is the flat function $e^{-x^2}$. An element in $D$ is a polynomial of $x$ and $\frac{\phi}{x^N}$ for some $N$, gcd of any pair exists. Now take $d=\phi$ in your statement, if such $t$ exists, order of $t$ at $0$ is infinite, it is of the form $\frac{\phi}{x^N}p(x, \phi)$, then $t \nmid \frac{\phi}{x^{N+1}}=a$ but $\phi \mid a^n$.

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