Linear maps on operator algebras that preserve elements annihilated by a polynomial

Abstract

In this paper some purely algebraic results are given concerning linear maps on algebras which preserve elements annihilated by a polynomial of degree greater than 1 and with no repeated roots and applied to linear maps on operator algebras such as standard operator algebras, von Neumann algebras and Banach algebras. Several results are obtained that characterize such linear maps in terms of homomorphisms, anti-homomorphisms, or, at least, Jordan homomorphisms.