Kashkarev has shown that the mod 2 Steenrod algebra is a prime ring. For any odd prime p, we prove that the mod p Steenrod algebra is also a prime ring. In sequel, for any prime p, we show that the mod p Steenrod algebra (a local ring with nil maximal ideal) has infinite little Krull dimension. This contrasts sharply with the case of a commutative (or noetherian) local ring with nil maximal ideal which must have little Krull dimension equal to 0. Also, we show that the Steenrod algebra has no Krull dimension, classical Krull dimension, or Gabriel dimension. |