Corona-type theorems and division in some function algebras on planar domains

Let $A$ be an algebra of bounded smooth functions on the interior of a compact set in the plane. We study the following problem: if $f,f_1,\dots,f_n\in A$ satisfy $|f|\leq \sum_{j=1}^n |f_j|$, does there exist $g_j\in A$ and a constant $N\in\N$ such that $f^N=\sum_{j=1}^n g_j f_j$? A prominent role in our proofs is played by a new space, C_{\dbar, 1}(K), which we call the algebra of \dbar-smooth functions. In the case $n=1$, a complete solution is given for the algebras $A^m(K)$ of functions holomorphic in $K^\circ$ and whose first $m$-derivatives extend continuously to \ov{K^\circ}. This necessitates the introduction of a special class of compacta, the so-called locally L-connected sets. We also present another constructive proof of the Nullstellensatz for $A(K)$, that is only based on elementary \dbar-calculus and Wolff's method.Comment: 23 pages, 6 figure

Embedding polydisk algebras into the disk algebra and an application to stable ranks

It is shown how to embed the polydisk algebras (finite and infinite ones) into the disk algebra $A(\overline{\mathbb D})$. As a consequence, one obtains uniform closed subalgebras of $A(\overline{\mathbb D})$ which have arbitrarily prescribed stable ranksComment: 5 page