Multiplicative spectrum of ultrametric Banach algebras of continuous functions

Abstract

Let K be an ultrametric complete field and let E be an ultrametric space. Let A be the Banach K-algebra of bounded continuous functions from E to K and let B be the Banach K-algebra of bounded uniformly continuous functions from E to K. Maximal ideals and continuous multiplicative semi-norms on A (resp. on B) are studied by defining relations of stickiness and contiguousness on ultrafilters that are equivalence relations. So, the maximal spectrum of A (resp. of B) is in bijection with the set of equivalence classes with respect to stickiness (resp. to contiguousness). Every prime ideal of A or B is included in a unique maximal ideal and every prime closed ideal of A (resp. of B) is a maximal ideal, hence every continuous multiplicative semi-norms on A (resp. on B) has a kernel that is a maximal ideal. If K is locally compact, every maximal ideal of A (resp. of B) is of codimension 1. Every maximal ideal of A or B is the kernel of a unique continuous multiplicative semi-norm and every continuous multiplicative semi-norm is defined as the limit along an ultrafilter on E. Consequently, on A as on B the set of continuous multiplicative semi-norms defined by points of E is dense in the whole set of all continuous multiplicative semi-norms. Ultrafilters show bijections between the set of continuous multiplicative semi-norms of A, Max ( A ) and the Banaschewski compactification of E which is homeomorphic to the topological space of continuous multiplicative semi-norms. The Shilov boundary of A (resp. B) is equal to the whole set of continuous multiplicative semi-norms.