Cluster algebras of infinite rank as colimits

Abstract

We formalize the way in which one can think about cluster algebras of infinite rank by showing that every rooted cluster algebra of infinite rank can be written as a colimit of rooted cluster algebras of finite rank. Relying on the proof of the posivity conjecture for skew-symmetric cluster algebras (of finite rank) by Lee and Schiffler, it follows as a direct consequence that the positivity conjecture holds for cluster algebras of infinite rank. Furthermore, we give a sufficient and necessary condition for a ring homomorphism between cluster algebras to give rise to a rooted cluster morphism without specializations. Assem, Dupont and Schiffler proposed the problem of a classification of ideal rooted cluster morphisms. We provide a partial solution by showing that every rooted cluster morphism without specializations is ideal, but in general rooted cluster morphisms are not ideal.