The semicentre of a group algebra

Abstract

We study the semicentre of a group algebra K[G] where K is a field of characteristic zero and G is a polycyclic-by-finite group such that Delta(G) is torsion-free abelian. Several properties about the structure of this ring are proved, in particular as to when is the semicentre a UFD. Examples are constructed when this is not the case. We also prove necessary and sufficient conditions for every normal element of K[G] which belongs to K[Delta(G)] to be the product of a unit and a semi-invariant.