math.AC — Commutative Algebra
Prime-Generated Localization Descent for Unique Factorization in Lean
We give a source-grounded exposition of a Lean 4 formalization of prime-generated Nagata factoriality descent. A commutative noetherian integral domain is a unique factorization domain if a localization is a unique factorization domain and every denominator is exactly a finite product of prime elements belonging to the denominator submonoid. The formal statement works with an arbitrary algebra carrying Mathlib’s IsLocalization structure. We explain the two cases for an irreducible element, the multiset cancellation and splitting arguments, and the corollary for submonoids generated by arbitrary sets of primes. A registered polynomial corollary illustrates reuse of the descent package; its Laurent-polynomial premise is proved using Mathlib’s existing polynomial UFD instance, a dependency made explicit here. The exposition is tied to the registered source and dependency pins, distinguishes historical mechanical verification from manuscript review, and situates the development relative to an earlier Lean preprint and an Isabelle/HOL formalization. No new algebraic theorem or priority claim is asserted.