Abstract
Let H be a reductive subgroup of a reductive group G over an algebraically closed field k. We consider the action of H on G n, the n-fold Cartesian product of G with itself, by simultaneous conjugation. We give a purely algebraic characterization of the closed H-orbits in G n, generalizing work of Richardson which treats the case H = G. This characterization turns out to be a natural generalization of Serre’s notion of G-complete reducibility. This concept appears to be new, even in characteristic zero. We discuss how to extend some key results on G-complete reducibility in this framework. We also consider some rationality questions.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bardsley P., Richardson R.W.: Etale slices for algebraic transformation groups in characteristic p. Proc. Lond. Math. Soc. (3) 51(2), 295–317 (1985)
Bate M., Martin B., Röhrle G.: A geometric approach to complete reducibility. Invent. Math. 161(1), 177–218 (2005)
Bate M., Martin B., Röhrle G.: Complete reducibility and commuting subgroups. J. Reine Angew. Math. 621, 213–235 (2008)
Bate M., Martin B., Röhrle G.: Complete reducibility and separable field extensions. C. R. Math. Acad. Sci. Paris 348, 495–497 (2010)
Bate M., Martin B., Röhrle G., Tange R.: Complete reducibility and separability. Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 362(8), 4283–4311 (2010)
Bate M., Martin B., Röhrle, G., Tange, R.: Closed orbits and uniform S-instability in geometric invariant theory. Preprint. arXiv:0904.4853v3 [math.AG] (2009)
Borel, A.: Linear algebraic groups. In: Graduate Texts in Mathematics, vol. 126. Springer-Verlag, New York (1991)
Borel A., Tits J.: Eléments unipotents et sous-groupes paraboliques des groupes réductifs, I. Invent. Math. 12, 95–104 (1971)
Hesselink W.H.: Uniform instability in reductive groups. J. Reine Angew. Math. 303/304, 74–96 (1978)
Kempf G.R.: Instability in invariant theory. Ann. Math. 108, 299–316 (1978)
Kraft, H.: Geometric methods in representation theory. In: Representations of Algebras (Puebla, 1980), pp. 180–258. Lecture Notes in Math., vol. 944. Springer, Berlin (1982)
Kraft, H.: Geometrische Methoden in der Invariantentheorie. Aspects of Mathematics, D1. Friedr. Vieweg & Sohn, Braunschweig (1984)
Liebeck, M.W., Seitz, G.M.: Reductive subgroups of exceptional algebraic groups. Mem. Amer. Math. Soc. 580 (1996)
Liebeck M.W., Seitz G. M: Variations on a theme of Steinberg. Special issue celebrating the 80th birthday of Robert Steinberg. J. Algebra 260(1), 261–297 (2003)
Liebeck M.W., Testerman D.M.: Irreducible subgroups of algebraic groups. Q. J. Math. 55, 47–55 (2004)
Martin B.: Reductive subgroups of reductive groups in nonzero characteristic. J. Algebra 262(2), 265–286 (2003)
Martin B.: A normal subgroup of a strongly reductive subgroup is strongly reductive. J. Algebra 265(2), 669–674 (2003)
McNinch G.: Completely reducible Lie subalgebras. Transform. Groups 12(1), 127–135 (2007)
Mumford, D., Fogarty, J., Kirwan, F.: Geometric Invariant Theory, 3rd edn. Ergebnisse der Mathematik und ihrer Grenzgebiete 34. Springer-Verlag, Berlin (1994)
Newstead, P.E.: Introduction to Moduli Problems and Orbit Spaces. Published for the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bombay. Springer-Verlag, Berlin (1978)
Richardson R.W.: On orbits of algebraic groups and Lie groups. Bull. Austral. Math. Soc. 25(1), 1–28 (1982)
Richardson R.W.: Conjugacy classes of n-tuples in Lie algebras and algebraic groups. Duke Math. J. 57(1), 1–35 (1988)
Seitz G.M.: Abstract homomorphisms of algebraic groups. J. Lond. Math. Soc. (2) 56(1), 104–124 (1997)
Serre J.-P.: Semisimplicity and tensor products of group representations: converse theorems. With an appendix by Walter Feit. J. Algebra 194(2), 496–520 (1997)
Serre, J.-P.: La notion de complète réductibilité dans les immeubles sphériques et les groupes réductifs. Séminaire au Collège de France, résumé dans [29, pp. 93–98] (1997)
Serre, J.-P.: The notion of complete reducibility in group theory. In: Moursund Lectures, Part II. University of Oregon. arXiv:math/0305257v1 [math.GR] (1998)
Serre, J.-P.: Complète réductibilité. Séminaire Bourbaki, 56ème année, no. 932 (2003–2004)
Springer, T.A.: Linear algebraic groups, 2nd edn. In: Progress in Mathematics, vol. 9. Birkhäuser Boston, Inc., Boston (1998)
Springer, T.A.: Théorie des groupes. Résumé des Cours et Travaux, Annuaire du Collège de France, 97e année, pp. 89–102 (1996–1997)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bate, M., Martin, B., Röhrle, G. et al. Complete reducibility and conjugacy classes of tuples in algebraic groups and Lie algebras. Math. Z. 269, 809–832 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00209-010-0763-9
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00209-010-0763-9