Central polynomials and growth functions

Abstract

The growth of central polynomials for the algebra of n × n matrices in characterstic zero was studied by Regev in [13]. Here we study the growth of central polynomials for any finite-dimensional algebra over a field of characteristic zero. For such an algebra A we prove the existence of two limits called the central exponent and the proper central exponent of A. They give a measure of the exponential growth of the central polynomials and the proper central polynomials of A. We study the range of such limits and we compare them with the PI-exponent of the algebra.