The algebra generated by nilpotent elements in a matrix centralizer

Abstract

For an arbitrary square matrix $S$, denote by $C(S)$ the centralizer of $S$, and by $C(S)_N$ the set of all nilpotent elements in $C(S)$. In this paper, we use the Weyr canonical form to study the subalgebra of $C(S)$ generated by $C(S)_N$. We determine conditions on $S$ such that $C(S)_N$ is a subalgebra of $C(S)$. We also determine conditions on $S$ such that the subalgebra generated by $C(S)_N$ is $C(S).$