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I am looking for ideals $I\subset \mathbb{F}_2[x,y]$ with the following properties:

  1. $I$ is generated by two homogeneous elements;
  2. $I$ is invariant under the $SL_2(\mathbb{F}_2)$-action on $\mathbb{F}_2[x,y]$ (given by extending the action on the two dimensional sub vector space spanned by $x,y$).;
  3. The quotient $\mathbb{F}_2[x,y]/I$ is finite.

So far the only examples I know are $(x^n,y^n)$ and $(x^3,x^2+xy+y^2)$. The quotient $\mathbb{F}_2[x,y]/(x^3,x^2+xy+y^2)$ is the cohomology ring $H^*(S^3/Q_8;\mathbb{F}_2)$ for the standard action of the quaternion group on the three sphere.

Are these the only examples. Is it possible to classify all such ideals ?

Edit: Of course $(x^n,y^n)$ is only invariant when $n$ is a power of two (since $x\mapsto x, y\mapsto x+y$ is also an automorphism). So we have even fewer examples.

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    $\begingroup$ The ideal $(x^n,y^n)$ is invariant iff $n$ is a power of 2, isn't it? $\endgroup$
    – YCor
    Commented Dec 15, 2018 at 16:20
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    $\begingroup$ Hi, why is $x^3,y^3$ invariant? $\endgroup$ Commented Dec 15, 2018 at 16:20
  • $\begingroup$ Yes indeed. Thanks to you both. I mixed up things quite a lot. I was also thinking about this question only with the action that flips $x$ and $y$ and not the entire $sl_2$-action. Then I mixed things up sorry. $\endgroup$ Commented Dec 15, 2018 at 16:32

2 Answers 2

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There are tons of examples. Put $u = x^2+xy+y^2$ and $v = xy(x+y)$. Then $u$ and $v$ are $SL_2(\mathbb{F}_2)$ invariant. If $f(s,t)$ and $g(s,t)$ are homogenous polynomials with respect to the grading $\deg s = 2$, $\deg t=3$, then $\langle f(u,v), g(u,v) \rangle$ is a $SL_2(\mathbb{F}_2)$-invariant generated in the manner you describe. I claim that, furthermore, if $\mathbb{F}_2[s,t]/\langle f, g \rangle$ is finite then so is $\mathbb{F}_2[x,y] / \langle f(u,v), g(u,v) \rangle$.

For this claim, we just need to show that $\mathbb{F}_2[x,y]$ is module finite over $\mathbb{F}_2[u,v]$. It is enough to show that the generators $x$ and $y$ are integral over $\mathbb{F}_2[u,v]$. Indeed, they are both roots of the monic polynomial $$z^3 + u z + v.$$ (I found $u$ and $v$ by multiplying out the polynomial $(z+x)(z+y)(z+x+y)$.)

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One can see that $I=(f_1,\dots, f_s)$ is $G$-invariant iff $\alpha\cdot f_i \in I$ for each $\alpha \in G$ and $i$. From this one can prove easily that if $I,J$ are $G$-invariant, then so is $IJ$ and $I+J$. Thus, for example, $(x,y)^n$ are invariant for all $n\geq 0$. One also have that $I=(x^{2^k}, y^{2^k})$ is invariant as pointed out by YCor. So you can generate many other examples. A complete classification seems difficult though.

For the case of two-generated ideals, one could use the above remark and the fact that "Frobenius commutes with linear change of variables" to show:

1) If $I=(f,g)$ is invariant then $J= (f^{2^k}, g^{2^k})$ is invariant.

2) If $I=(f,g)$ is invariant and $\deg(f)> \deg(g)$ then $J=(f^{2^k}, g^l)$ is invariant with $l\leq 2^k$.

For instance the ideal $(x^6, x^2+xy+y^2)$ is invariant.

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    $\begingroup$ Note that these ideals might not be generated by two elements anymore. $\endgroup$ Commented Dec 15, 2018 at 23:32
  • $\begingroup$ @HenrikRüping: Ah, yes, I was thinking about general ideals, not just two-generated ones. I added a few comments about this case. $\endgroup$ Commented Dec 17, 2018 at 0:26

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