Questions tagged [algebraic-groups]
Algebraic varieties with group operations given by morphisms, or group objects in the category of algebraic varieties, the category of algebraic schemes, or closely related categories.
2,105
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Elementary reference for algebraic groups
I'm looking for a reference on algebraic groups which requires only knowledge of basic material on the theory of varieties which you could find in, for example, Basic Algebraic Geometry 1 by ...
20
votes
3
answers
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Is there a scheme parametrizing the closed subgroups of an algebraic group?
In the following, let $G=\operatorname{GL}_n(\mathbb{C})$ or $G=\operatorname{\mathbb PGL}_n(\mathbb{C})$, depending on whichever has a better chance of yielding an affirmative answer. One could more ...
20
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6
answers
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How do I stop worrying about root systems and decomposition theorems (for reductive groups)?
I apologize for this being a very very vague question.
Just as personal experience, I never feel that I fully grasped the theory of root systems in Lie algebras and Lie/algebraic groups (I shall ...
20
votes
4
answers
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Computing the Zariski closure of a subgroup of SL(n,Z)
Suppose $\Gamma$ is a finitely generated subgroup of $SL(n,\mathbb{Z})$, given as a list of generators. We would like to (somewhat efficiently) try to compute the Zariski closure of $\Gamma$, which is ...
20
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2
answers
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Which p-adic algebraic groups are type I?
It was proved by Jacques Dixmier (Sur les représentations unitaires des groupes de Lie algébriques, Annales de l'institut Fourier, 7 (1957), p. 315-328, doi: 10.5802/aif.73, MR 20 #5820, Zbl 0080....
20
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2
answers
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Solving equations in SO(3) : an open problem by Jan Mycielski
I am interested in a problem closely related to a problem stated by Jan Mycielski in his paper Can One Solve Equations in Group? (The American Mathematical Monthly, 1977, http://www.jstor.org/stable/...
20
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1
answer
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Does the ring $R = \mathbb{Z}[X^{\pm1}]$ of Laurent polynomials over $\mathbb{Z}$ satisfy $SL_2(R) = E_2(R)$?
Let $R = \mathbb{Z}[X^{\pm1}]$ be the ring of Laurent polynomials on one indeterminate over $\mathbb{Z}$. Let $E_2(R)$ be the subgroup of $GL_2(R)$ generated by the matrices that differ from the ...
20
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1
answer
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Semisimplicity for tensor products of representations of finite groups
Let $G$ be a group and $k$ a field of characteristic $p>0$. Let $$\rho_i: G\to GL(V_i),~ i=1,2$$ be two finite-dimensional semisimple $k$-representations of $G$, with $\dim(V_1)+\dim(V_2)<p+2.$ ...
20
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0
answers
754
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Should the Dynkin diagrams of types $A_1$ and $B_2$ be labelled $C_1$ and $C_2$?
The labels $A$--$G$ attached to connected Dynkin diagrams are of course arbitrary,
the result of historical accidents. In order to avoid repetitions, the four infinite
families $A_\ell, B_\ell, C_\...
19
votes
1
answer
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What are the equations for $SL_3/SL_2$?
Consider $SL_2$ embedded into $SL_3$ as upper left block matrices. The quotient $SL_3/SL_2$ is an affine variety, as is any quotient of reductive groups. How does one describe $SL_3/SL_2$? What are ...
19
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2
answers
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Hopf algebra reference
I was talking this morning to a colleague who thinks about combinatorial Hopf algebras. He mentioned several rings, which are of interest in combinatorics, for which he didn't know whether a Hopf ...
18
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5
answers
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Comparing algebraic group orbits over big and small algebraically closed fields
For an affine algebraic group $G$ it's often convenient (and harmless) to work concretely over an algebraically
closed field of definition $k$ while identifying $G$ with its group of rational points ...
18
votes
4
answers
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Longest element of Weyl groups
What is a reduced expression of the longest element of each type of Weyl group. For type $A_n$ it is just $s_n(s_ns_{n-1})...(s_n...s_1)$. I know for type $B_n,C_n,E_7,E_8$,$G_2$ and $D_n$ (n even) it ...
18
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3
answers
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Does there exist something like an $H_3$ and $H_4$ (icosahedral) Lie algebra or algebraic group?
The (finite-dimensional) complex simple Lie algebras have been classified by Killing and Cartan a long time ago in the $\mathsf{A}_n,\mathsf{B}_n,\mathsf{C}_n,\mathsf{D}_n$ families and $\mathsf{G}_2,\...
18
votes
1
answer
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Subgroup $\mathrm{E}_6$ generated by $\mathrm{Spin_7}$ and $\mathrm{SL}_3$
Let $\mathbb{O}$ be the octonion algebra (say over $\mathbb{R}$) and let $J_{3}(\mathbb{O})$ be the set of $3 \times 3$ hermitian matrices with octonion coefficients, that is:
$$ J_3(\mathbb{O}) = \...
17
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4
answers
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Is $O_n({\bf Q})$ dense in $O_n({\bf R})$?
I am wondering if the orthogonal group $O_n({\bf Q})$ is dense in $O_n({\bf R})$?
It is easily checked for $n = 2$ but I think that there is a general principle concerning compact algebraic groups ...
17
votes
7
answers
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Langlands Dual Groups
Can someone explain, explicitly, how to, given a reductive complex algebraic group construct the Langlands dual group? I know it is a group with the cocharacters of G as its characters, but how does ...
17
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2
answers
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Can Hom_gp(G,H) fail to be representable for affine algebraic groups?
Let $G$ and $H$ be affine algebraic groups over a scheme $S$ of characteristic 0 and let $\textbf{Hom}_{S,gp}(G,H)$ be the functor $T \mapsto \text{Hom}\_{T,gp}(G,H)$
Theorem (SGA 3, expose XXIV, 7....
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4
answers
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cohomology theory for algebraic groups
Is there a cohomology theory for algebraic groups which captures the variety structure and restricts to the ordinary group cohomology under certain conditions.
17
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3
answers
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Does every reductive group scheme admit a maximal torus?
A theorem of Grothendieck states that any smooth reductive algebraic group over a field $k$ admits a maximal torus over $k$. My question concerns what happens for schemes.
Let $S$ be a scheme and ...
17
votes
1
answer
658
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Is $GL_n(\mathbb{Q}_p)=GL_n(\mathbb{Z}_p)GL_n(\mathbb{Q})$?
Is $GL_n(\mathbb{Q}_p)=GL_n(\mathbb{Z}_p)GL_n(\mathbb{Q})$? Generally, let $R$ be a discrete valuation ring and $K$ its fraction field. Let $\widehat{R}$ be the completion and $\widehat{K}$ the ...
17
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2
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Is the wonderful compactification of a spherical homogeneous variety always projective?
Let $G/H$ be a spherical homogeneous variety, where $G$ is a complex semisimple group. Assume that the subgroup $H$ is self-normalizing, i.e., $\mathcal{N}_G(H)=H$. Then by results of Brion and Pauer
...
17
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2
answers
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Are the unipotent and nilpotent varieties isomorphic in bad characteristics?
In characteristic 0 or good prime characteristic, there are standard ways to relate the unipotent variety $\mathcal{U}$ of a simple algebraic group $G$ and the nilpotent variety $\mathcal{N}$ of its ...
17
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0
answers
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Actions on ℍⁿ generated by torsion elements
Let $n$ be a large integer.
I am looking for a cocompact properly discontinuous isometric action on $n$-dimensional Lobachevky space which is generated by elements of finite order.
Or equivalently, ...
16
votes
2
answers
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What's the point of a Whittaker model?
Let $G$ be a quasi-split connected reductive group over a $p$-adic field $F$. Let $B$ be a Borel subgroup which is defined over $F$, with $B = TU$, $T$ defined over $F$. The choice of $T$ and $B$ ...
16
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3
answers
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What is the difference between p-adic Lie groups and linear algebraic groups over p-adic fields?
I thought they were the same, just different names. Let me make question more precise:
Let $G$ be any linear algebraic group over a p-adic field $\mathbb{Q}_p$, is $G$ a p-adic Lie group w.r.t. the ...
16
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6
answers
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What is an algebraic group over a noncommutative ring?
Let $R$ be a (noncommutative) ring. (For me, the words "ring" and "algebra" are isomorphic, and all rings are associative with unit, and usually noncommutative.) Then I think I know what "linear ...
16
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3
answers
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What is an Oper?
Given a curve C, and a reductive group G, there is a moduli stack Loc_G(C), the stack of G-local systems. I keep reading that there's a substack of "opers" but am having trouble locating a definition....
16
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1
answer
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Grothendieck-Messing theory for finite flat group schemes
Classical Grothendieck-Messing theory relates deformations of $p$-divisible groups to lifts of the Hodge filtration (if the ideal defining the nilpotent immersion is equipped with a PD-structure). If ...
16
votes
1
answer
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Escaping from a centralizer
Let $G = Sym(n)$, $n$ even. Let $H<G$ be the stabilizer of the partition $\{\{1,2\},\{3,4\},\dotsc,\{n-1,n\}\}$, or, what is the same, the centralizer of $(1\;2) \dotsc (n-1\; n)$.
By Stirling's ...
16
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0
answers
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Complete resource of Ngô's course notes on Algebraic Groups and Group Schemes
I'm looking for Ngô's M2 course notes on "Groupes algébriques et schémas en groupes".
The Wayback Machine has an incomplete capture here. However, it apparently lacks chapter 1, 3, and 5.
I ...
15
votes
4
answers
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Subgroups of $SL_2(\mathbb R)$ which contain $SL_2(\mathbb Z)$ as a finite index subgroup
Let $G\subset \mathrm{SL}_2(\mathbb R)$ be a subgroup such that $\mathrm{SL}_2(\mathbb Z)\subset G$.
What are the possible groups such that $\mathrm{SL}_2(\mathbb Z)\subset G$ is of finite index? Is $...
15
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3
answers
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Finitely generated matrix groups whose eigenvalues are all algebraic
Let $G$ be a finitely generated subgroup of $GL(n,\mathbb{C})$. Assume that there exists a number field $k$ (i.e. a finite extension of $\mathbb{Q}$) such that for all $g \in G$, the eigenvalues of $...
15
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3
answers
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Connectedness of the linear algebraic group SO_n
I apologize in advance if my question is too elementary for MO.
It is a well known fact that the linear algebraic group $G = \mathsf{SO}_n$ is connected, and there exist a few different proofs of ...
15
votes
3
answers
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Diagonalizable subgroups of a connected linear algebraic group
Let $G$ be a connected linear algebraic group
over an algebraically closed field $k$ of characteristic 0.
Let $D\subset G$ be a closed diagonalizable subgroup of $G$
(a subgroup of multiplicative type)...
15
votes
2
answers
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Are group schemes in Char 0 reduced? (YES)
A Theorem of Cartier (e.g. Mumford, Lecture 25) states that every separated, finite type group scheme $G/k$ over a field $k$ of characteristic $0$ is reduced. Does this result remain valid if we ...
15
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2
answers
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How Does a Borel Subgroup Know Which Weights Are Dominant
Let $G$ be a simple group (say $SL_n$) and let $B$ be a Borel subgroup (say upper triangular matrices). Then all irreducible representations of $G$ are induced from one-dimensional representations of $...
15
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2
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Hopf algebra duality and algebraic groups
Background:
Let $G$ be a linear algebraic group over an algebraically closed field $k$ and let $I \subseteq k[G]$ be the ideal of the identity element. The hyperalgebra $U(G)$ of $G$ is defined to be ...
15
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4
answers
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Simply connected algebraic groups and reductive subgroups of maximal rank
Recall that a connected semisimple algebraic group $G$ over an algebraically closed field $K$ of arbitrary characteristic was defined by Chevalley to be simply connected if the character group $X(T)$ ...
15
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1
answer
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Pushout of group schemes (question on a lemma in SGA3)
$\DeclareMathOperator\GL{GL}\DeclareMathOperator\SL{SL}\DeclareMathOperator\diag{diag}$In SGA3, Expose XXIV, Lemme 7.2.2 it says (let's say our base scheme $S$ is an algebraically closed field $k$): ...
15
votes
1
answer
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Branching rule of $S_n$ and Springer theory
Let $u\in\mathrm{GL}_n$ be a unipotent element, let $\mathcal{B}_u$ be the variety of Borel subgroups containing $u$, and let $d=\dim \mathcal{B}_u$. Then Springer theory tells us that $H^{2d}(\...
15
votes
1
answer
470
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Dirichlet's unit theorem for reductive schemes
Let $O_{K,S}$ be the ring of $S$-integers in a number field $K$. Dirichlet's unit theorem implies that the group of units in $O_{K,S}$ is a finitely generated group. In other words, the group $\mathbb ...
15
votes
0
answers
881
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How much has been written down about Deligne's geometric approach to the order formula for a finite group of Lie type?
This is a follow-up to a recent mathoverflow question
34387
about computing the orders of finite unitary groups and the comments made there.
Between 1955 (Chevalley's Tohoku paper) and 1968 (...
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answers
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Is the normalizer of a reductive subgroup reductive?
Let $G$ be a reductive algebraic group over an algebraically closed field (of characteristic zero if it matters) and $H \subset G$ a subgroup, also reductive. Is the identity component of the ...
14
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4
answers
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Why are anisotropic tori compact?
I'll do my best to formulate everything in the modern language. Let $F$ be a local field. A torus $S$ is an $F$-group scheme of finite type such that $S \times_F \overline{F}$ is isomorphic to a ...
14
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2
answers
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Symplectic K-theory
For a ring $R$ consider symplectic K-theory defined as follows: let $\operatorname{Sp}(R) = \lim_n \operatorname{Sp}_{2n}(R)$, let $\operatorname{ESp}(R)$ be the subgroup generated by elementary ...
14
votes
2
answers
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Is a representation of $\operatorname{SL}_n$ defined over a field $k$ if its image is contained in $\operatorname{GL}_n(k)$?
Let $k$ be a subfield of $\mathbb{C}$ and let $f\colon \operatorname{SL}_n(\mathbb{C}) \rightarrow \operatorname{GL}_m(\mathbb{C})$ be an algebraic homomorphism such that $f(\operatorname{SL}_n(k)) \...
14
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6
answers
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Does every morphism BG-->BH come from a homomorphism G-->H?
Given a homomorphism f:G→H between smooth algebraic groups, we get an induced homomorphism of algebraic stacks Bf:BG→BH, given by sending a G-torsor P over a scheme X to the H-torsor PxGH, ...
14
votes
2
answers
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Explicit cocycle for the central extension of the algebraic loop group G(C((t)))
Let $G$ be a simple Lie group and let $G(\mathbb{C}((t)))$ be its loop group.
The Lie algebra $\mathfrak{g}[[t]][t^{-1}]$ has a well known central extension
(see e.g.
Wikipedia) given by the cocycle
...
14
votes
3
answers
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Simultaneous diagonalization
I'm pretty sure that the following (if true) is a standard result in linear algebra but unfortunately I could not find it anywhere and even worse I'm too dumb to prove it: Let $k$ be a field, let $V$ ...