Test polynomials, retracts, and the Jacobian conjecture

Abstract

Let K[x,y] be the algebra of two-variable polynomials over a field K. A polynomial p=p(x, y) is called a test polynomial (for automorphisms) if, whenever ϕ(p)=p for a mapping ϕof K[x,y], this ϕmust be an automorphism. Here we show that p \in C[x,y] is a test polynomial if and only if p does not belong to any proper retract of C[x,y]. This has the following corollary that may have application to the Jacobian conjecture: if a mapping ϕof C[x,y] with invertible Jacobian matrix is ``invertible on one particular polynomial", then it is an automorphism. More formally: if there is a non-constant polynomial p and an injective mapping ψof C[x,y] such that ψ(ϕ(p)) =p, then ϕis an automorphism.