Block of a finite-dimensional algebra ($Re$)

A block of a finite-dimensional associative algebra $R$ is a two-sided ideal $Re$ associated with a primitive idempotent $e$ in the center of an associative algebra. Its identity is $e$, and $R$ is the product of these blocks. An $R$-module belongs to this block if $eM=M$. For a semisimple algebra, the Artin–Wedderburn theorem says the blocks are its full matrix algebras over division rings. For a group algebra this specializes to a block of a group algebra.

For a finite-dimensional associative algebra, form a graph on its simple modules, joining $S,T$ when ${\mathrm{Ext}}^1(S,T)$ or ${\mathrm{Ext}}^1(T,S)$ is nonzero. Its connected components are exactly the simple modules belonging to each block of a finite-dimensional algebra. They are also the components generated by sharing a Jordan–Hölder factor occurrence in an indecomposable representation that is a projective module.

Indeed, Ext separation of finite-length modules would split the regular module of a block into canonical summands if that block had two graph components. Right multiplication preserves these summands, so its projection supplies a nontrivial central idempotent, contradicting the definition of a block. An indecomposable projective belongs to one block. Finally, a nonsplit extension $0\to U\to V\to W\to 0$ of simple modules is a quotient of the projective cover of $W$: a lift onto $W$ must contain $U$, since otherwise the extension splits. Thus its two endpoints share factors in an indecomposable projective.