Factoriality and class groups of cluster algebras

Abstract

Locally acyclic cluster algebras are Krull domains. Hence their factorization theory is determined by their (divisor) class group and the set of classes containing height-1 prime ideals. Motivated by this, we investigate class groups of cluster algebras. We show that any cluster algebra that is a Krull domain has a finitely generated free abelian class group, and that every class contains infinitely many height-1 prime ideals. For a cluster algebra associated to an acyclic seed, we give an explicit description of the class group in terms of the initial exchange matrix. As a corollary, we reprove and extend a classification of factoriality for cluster algebras of Dynkin type. In the acyclic case, we prove the sufficiency of necessary conditions for factoriality given by Geiss–Leclerc–Schröer.