Algebraic and Strong Splittings of Extensions of Banach Algebras

Book excerpt: In this volume, the authors address the following: Let $A$ be a Banach algebra, and let $\sum\:\ 0\rightarrow I\rightarrow\frak A\overset\pi\to\longrightarrow A\rightarrow 0$ be an extension of $A$, where $\frak A$ is a Banach algebra and $I$ is a closed ideal in $\frak A$. The extension splits algebraically (respectively, splits strongly) if there is a homomorphism (respectively, continuous homomorphism) $\theta\: A\rightarrow\frak A$ such that $\pi\circ\theta$ is the identity on $A$. Consider first for which Banach algebras $A$ it is true that every extension of $A$ in a particular class of extensions splits, either algebraically or strongly, and second for which Banach algebras it is true that every extension of $A$ in a particular class which splits algebraically also splits strongly. These questions are closely related to the question when the algebra $\frak A$ has a (strong) Wedderburn decomposition. The main technique for resolving these questions involves the Banach cohomology group $\cal H2(A,E)$ for a Banach $A$-bimodule $E$, and related cohomology groups. Later chapters are particularly concerned with the case where the ideal $I$ is finite-dimensional. Results are obtained for many of the standard Banach algebras $A$.