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Margulis' normal subgroup theorem states that any normal subgroup of a higher rank lattice is either finite or of finite index. The obvious question is: can one classify finite normal subgroups of such lattices? (even $SL(n, \mathbb{Z})$ and $Sp(2n, \mathbb{Z})$ would be a good start).

flag	asked Apr 18 2011 at 2:20 Igor Rivin 31.1k●3●37●71

	Central subgroups only (if you take lattices in semi-simple connected Lie groups)? – Mark Sapir Apr 18 2011 at 2:46
	@Mark: That's what I thought, but was always puzzled why no one actually stated it this way, so thought that maybe I was missing something... – Igor Rivin Apr 18 2011 at 2:49

Mark Sapir · Accepted Answer · 2011-04-18 02:55:55Z UTC

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These are the central subgroups, see http://www.mathematik.uni-regensburg.de/loeh/seminars/normal_subgroup_thm.pdf . It is proved that every non-central normal subgroup has finite index (page 7).

edited Apr 18 2011 at 2:55

answered Apr 18 2011 at 2:50

Mark Sapir
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Ah, OK, thanks! – Igor Rivin Apr 18 2011 at 3:17

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The fact that finite normal subgroups $N$ in lattices are central in the ambient Lie group, follows by invoking Zariski density of lattices (to the effect that $N$ is actually normal in the ambient Lie group), and then the classical fact that a discrete normal subgroup in a connected group must be central. – Alain Valette May 2 2011 at 8:46

Margulis normal subgroup theorem

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