Geometrically multiplicative non-archimedean norms

Abstract: Universally (or geometrically) multiplicative norms on Banach algebras over complete non-archimedean fields were used by Berkovich in his works on non-archimedean geometry, and later they were studied in some detail by Poineau. In this paper, we perform a more thorough study of the question when multiplicativity, spectrality and spectral multiplicativity of norms on algebras over real valued fields are preserved by ground field extensions. We obtain precise criteria quite analogous to the classical theory of geometric irreducibility and reducedness. In particular, we generalize the results of Poineau in a few aspects.