Picard groups and infinite matrix rings

Abstract:

We describe a connection between the Picard group of a ring with local units $T$ and the Picard group of the unital overring $End(_TT)$. Using this connection, we show that the three groups $Pic(R)$, $Pic(FM(R))$, and $Pic(RFM(R))$ are isomorphic for any unital ring $R$. Furthermore, each element of $Pic(RFM(R))$ arises from an automorphism of $RFM(R)$, which yields an isomorphsm between $Pic(RFM(R))$ and $Out(RFM(R))$. As one application we extend a classical result of Rosenberg and Zelinsky by showing that the group $Out_R(RFM(R))$ is abelian for any commutative unital ring $R$.