Division algebras graded by a finite group

Abstract

Let $k$ be a field containing an algebraically closed field of characteristic zero. If $G$ is a finite group and $D$ is a division algebra over $k$, finite dimensional over its center, we can associate to a faithful $G$-grading on $D$ a normal abelian subgroup $H$, a positive integer $d$ and an element of $Hom(M(H),k^{\times }{)}^G$, where $M(H)$ is the Schur multiplier of $H$. Our main theorem is the converse: Given an extension $1\to H\to G\to G/H\to 1$, where $H$ is abelian, a positive integer $d$, and an element of $Hom(M(H),k^{\times }{)}^G$, there is a division algebra with center containing $k$ that realizes these data. We apply this result to classify the $G$-simple algebras over an algebraically closed field of characteristic zero that admit a division algebra form over a field containing an algebraically closed field.

20 pages