Deficiencies of Certain Real Uniform Algebras

Abstract

Let U be a complex uniform algebra, Z and dZ its maximal ideal space and its Šilov boundary, respectively. The Dirichlet (respectively Arens-Singer) deficiency of U is the codimension in CR(∂Z) of the closure of Re U (respectively of the real linear span of log|U-1|). Algebras with finite Dirichlet deficiency have many interesting properties, especially when the Arens-Singer deficiency is zero. (See, e.g. [5].) By a real uniform algebra we mean a real commutative Banach algebra A with identity 1, and norm ‖ ‖ such that ‖f2‖ = ‖f‖2 for each fin A