Idempotent factorization of matrices over a Pr\"ufer domain of rational functions

Abstract

We consider the smallest subring $D$ of $\mathbb{R}(X)$ containing every element of the form $1/(1+x^2)$, with $x\in \mathbb{R}(X)$. $D$ is a Pr\"ufer domain called the minimal Dress ring of $\mathbb{R}(X)$. In this paper, addressing a general open problem for Pr\"ufer non B\'ezout domains, we investigate whether $2\times 2$ singular matrices over $D$ can be decomposed as products of idempotent matrices. We show some conditions that guarantee the idempotent factorization in $M_2(D)$.