Factorization and unbounded approximate identities in Banach algebras

Abstract

Cohen's Factorization Theorem says, in its basic form, that if A is a Banach algebra with a bounded left approximate identity, then every element x ∈ A may be written as a product x = ay for some a, y ∈ A. Such is the beauty and importance of this result that much interest attaches to the question of whether the hypothesis of a bounded left approximate identity can be weakened, or whether a converse result exists. This paper contributes to the study of that question.