Sequences of divided powers in irreducible, cocommutative Hopf algebras

Abstract

In Hopf algebras with one grouplike element, M. E. Sweedler showed that over perfect fields, sequences of divided powers in cocommutative, irreducible Hopf algebras can be extended if certain “coheight” conditions are met. Here, we show that with a suitable generalization of “coheight", Sweedler’s theorem is true over nonperfect fields. (We also point out, that in one case Sweedler’s theorem was false, and additional conditions must be assumed.) In the same paper, Sweedler gave a structure theorem for irreducible, cocommutative Hopf algebras over perfect fields. We generalize this theorem in both the perfect and nonperfect cases. Specifically, in the nonperfect case, while a cocommutative, irreducible Hopf algebra does not, in general, satisfy the structure theorem, the sub-Hopf algebra, generated by all sequences of divided powers, does. Some additional properties of this sub-Hopf algebra are also given, including a universal property.