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10 answers
7k views

Resources on invariant theory

What are resources on invariant theory? Basically I've run into a need to teach myself some of the basics of invariant theory and was looking for a good place to start. I'd prefer online / freeish ...
18 votes
1 answer
3k views

Why is Mumford's GIT-quotient so effective?

According to remark 6.14 in Shigeru Mukai's An introduction to invariants and moduli (unfortunately, the page is not available on Google Books, so I explain it below), the GIT-quotient of an affine ...
evgeny's user avatar
  • 1,980
12 votes
1 answer
502 views

Moduli of smooth curves in $|\mathcal{O}_{\mathbb{P}^1\times\mathbb{P}^1}(2,2)| $ and their invariants

It is well known that any smooth curve $C\in |\mathcal{O}_{\mathbf{P}^1\times\mathbf{P}^1}(2,2)| $ has geometric genus equal to 1, so its isomorphism class is determined by its $j$-invariant. ...
DDT's user avatar
  • 297
11 votes
1 answer
918 views

When Are Quotients Complete Intersections?

Let $S_{n}$ denote the permutation group on $n$ letters and $G\subset S_{n}$ a transitive subgroup. The inclusion of $G$ in $S_{n}$ defines an action of $G$ on $\mathbb{C}^{n}$. By finding a ...
Clay Cordova's user avatar
  • 2,097
11 votes
2 answers
684 views

Invariants of $\mathrm{GL}_n$ representations

$\DeclareMathOperator\GL{GL}$Let $V=\mathbb C^n$ be the natural representation of $\GL_n(\mathbb C)$ and let $W=\operatorname{Sym}^2(V)$ be the symmetric square representation. Let $W^k$ denote the ...
jack's user avatar
  • 673
11 votes
0 answers
451 views

Semistability of tensor products under automorphisms of tensored vector spaces

Let $A,B,C,D,E,F$ be vector spaces over a field. Let $x\in A \otimes B \otimes C$ and $y \in D \otimes E \otimes F$ be tensors that are semistable with respect to the natural actions of $\text{SL}(A) ...
Will Sawin's user avatar
  • 149k
10 votes
2 answers
994 views

Character variety of the free group

A classical result of Fricke--Klein--Vogt from the late 1800s implies that the character variety $\chi_\mathbb{C}$ associated to the free group $F_2$ and the algebraic group $\mathrm{SL}_2(\mathbb{C})$...
Dr. Evil's user avatar
  • 2,751
10 votes
0 answers
238 views

Progress since Luna's theorem on smooth invariants

In 1976, Luna proved the following important theorem of smooth invariant theory: Let $G$ be a real reductive Lie group and a representation of $G$ on a real finite dimensional vector space $V$. ...
Igor Khavkine's user avatar
9 votes
1 answer
346 views

Standard Monomial basis for other types

For the algebraic group $SL_n$ (type $A_{n-1}$) and for a dominant weight $\lambda$ the standard monomials are indexed by the semi-standard young tableaux of shape $\lambda$ and they form a basis for ...
Mark Shiffor's user avatar
9 votes
1 answer
294 views

A duality result for Coxeter groups

Short version: if $G$ is a Coxeter group and $H \subset G$ is a parabolic subgroup, both acting on a space $V$, is it true that the invariant-coinvariant algebra $(S(V)_G)^H$ has a natural bilinear ...
Pablo Zadunaisky's user avatar
9 votes
1 answer
300 views

Invariants and stablizers for the $PGL(V)$ action on $End(V\otimes V)$

Let $K$ be a field of characteristic zero, and $V$ a finite dimensional vector space over $K$. Consider the action of the algebraic group $G:=PGL(V)$ on the vector space $W:=End_K(V^{\otimes 2})$ by ...
Ehud Meir's user avatar
  • 5,039
8 votes
0 answers
235 views

Stability of nodal hypersurfaces

We denote by $\Pi_{n,d}$ the space of homogeneous polynomials of degree $d$ in $n+1$ variables $x_0,\ldots,x_n$, i.e. $\Pi_{n,d}=\Gamma(\mathbb{P}^n(\mathbb{C}),\mathcal{O}(d))$. The group $G=SL(n+1)$ ...
Nikolay Konovalov's user avatar
7 votes
2 answers
772 views

Quotients by the additive group $\mathbb G_a$

Geometric invariant theory doesn't work so well for non-reductive groups, since invariant rings are not generally finitely generated. However, in many cases the action of a non-reductive group has a ...
Will Mayer's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
305 views

An explicit negative solution to the Lüroth problem for non-algebraically closed fields

Let $\mathsf{k}$ be a field of characteristic $0$, and consider $\mathsf{k}(x,y)$. If $\mathsf{k}$ is algebraically closed, then every field $L$ such that the inclusion $\mathsf{k} \subset L \subset \...
jg1896's user avatar
  • 3,318
7 votes
1 answer
718 views

GIT and singularities

Let $G$ be a complex reductive group acting on a complex affine variety $X$ and let $X // G = \operatorname{Spec}\mathbb{C}[X]^G$ be the GIT quotient. Is there a relationship between the singular ...
Simon Parker's user avatar
  • 1,383
6 votes
2 answers
701 views

Invariants of the maximal unipotent subgroup of GL(n) acting on the space of n by n matrices

Let $G=GL(n,\mathbb{C})$ and let $U\subset G$ be a maximal unipotent subgroup. (For example,assume that U is the set of upper triangular matrices with ones in the diagonal.) Now let $X=M_{n}(\mathbb{C}...
Raul Gomez's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
605 views

Invariant section of a linearized sheaf

I am struggling to understand what an invariant section with respect to a linearization of a line sheaf is. In Geometric Invariant Theory, given a $k$-scheme $X$ (being $k$ an algebraically closed ...
Samantha Smith's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
450 views

Invariant ideal generated by invariant elements

Let $G$ be a complex reductive group acting linearly on $\mathbb{C}^n$ and let $X$ be a $G$-invariant closed subvariety of $\mathbb{C}^n$. Is $X$ the zero-set of finitely many $G$-invariant functions? ...
Simon Parker's user avatar
  • 1,383
5 votes
0 answers
351 views

What representation theoretic properties does the semi-invariant ring tell us?

I'm asking this question as a continuation of discussion and answer given by Hugh Thomas at the following post: Why do people study semi-invariant ring (in general)? I have been studying about semi-...
It'sMe's user avatar
  • 839
4 votes
1 answer
186 views

Are the two notions of free $\mathbb{G}_a$-actions equivalent?

Consider a finitely generated integral $\mathbb{C}$-domain $B$. An algebraic $\mathbb{G}_a$-action on $X:=\mathrm{Spec}(\mathcal{O}(X))$ is equivalent to a locally nilpotent $\mathbb{C}$-derivation $$\...
Yikun Qiao's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
757 views

Quotient of affine space by cyclic permutation

The quotient of the affine space $\mathbb{A}^n$ by the symmetric group $Sym_n$ is again an affine space of the same dimension, and invariants are given by elementary symmetric polynomials. What ...
Jérémy Blanc's user avatar
4 votes
0 answers
113 views

Cover by $K$-invariant affine open sets

Let $X$ be a non-singular complex algebraic variety (quasi-projective if necessary) and $K$ a connected compact Lie group acting on $X$ real algebraically, i.e. the action map $K \times X \to X$ is ...
Simon Parker's user avatar
  • 1,383
4 votes
0 answers
239 views

Invariants of linear endomorphisms of tensor products

Let $V$ and $W$ be two finite dimensional vector spaces over an algebraically closed field $K$ of characteristic zero. Consider the coordinate ring $K[\mathrm{End}(V\otimes W)]$ of the affine space ...
Ehud Meir's user avatar
  • 5,039
4 votes
0 answers
119 views

Invariants and subgroups

Let $G$ be an affine algebraic group over some algebraically closed field $K$, and let $H$ be a closed subgroup. Assume that $G$ acts algebraically on an affine variety $X$. Assume that $X'\subseteq ...
Ehud Meir's user avatar
  • 5,039
4 votes
0 answers
406 views

Categorical quotients for quasi-affine varieties

Let $X$ be an affine variety and let $G$ be a reductive algebraic group acting on $X$. Let $U \subset X$ be a $G$-invariant open set. Under what hypothesis there exists a categorical quotient of $U$ ...
a_g's user avatar
  • 63
3 votes
2 answers
367 views

Intersection theory for $G$-varieties - an action on the chow ring?

Let $G$ be a reductive algebraic group. Let $X$ be a $G$-variety and consider any closed subvariety $Z$ of $X$. Since any $g\in G$ acts as an automorphism, we know that $g.Z$ is again a closed ...
Jesko Hüttenhain's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
260 views

Invariants of general linear groups under torus action

Let $G=GL_n$ be the general linear group (let's say over an algebraically closed field of char $=0$). Let's denote as $T$ the torus of diagonal matrices: is there an explicit description of the ...
Tommaso Scognamiglio's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
371 views

Is this quotient of a threefold known? What are its singularities?

Assume $G$ is the Klein four group $G=\{1,\sigma_1,\sigma_2,\sigma_3\}$. Let $G$ act on $X=\mathbb{A}^2\times\mathbb{P}^1$ via: $$\sigma_1\cdot(x,y,[\lambda:\mu])=(-x,y,[\lambda:-\mu]) \text{ and } ...
Bernie's user avatar
  • 1,025
3 votes
1 answer
310 views

When the affine quotient is faithfully flat?

It may be easy for the expert. Consider the map from $n$ by $m$ matrices (over $\mathbb{C}$ )to the $n$ by $n$ symmetric matrices $\phi\colon A\mapsto A A^T$. My question is when this map is ...
Jia-jun Ma's user avatar
3 votes
0 answers
129 views

Orbit space of the action of $\mathrm{GL}(V)$ on the Grassmannian of $V\wedge V$

$ \newcommand{\K}{\mathbb{K}} \newcommand{\R}{\mathbb{R}} \newcommand{\C}{\mathbb{C}} \newcommand{\N}{\mathbb{N}} \DeclareMathOperator{\GL}{GL} \DeclareMathOperator{\Grass}{Grass} $Consider $\K\in\{\R,...
Seba's user avatar
  • 126
3 votes
0 answers
345 views

On Noether's Problem

Noether's problem is a famous problem in invariant theory, introduced in the 1910's by Emmy Noether in relation to the inverse Galois problem. It is as follows: Noether's Problem: Let $F=k(x_1,\dotsc,...
jg1896's user avatar
  • 3,318
3 votes
0 answers
164 views

Class of finite quotient affine space in Grothendieck ring of varieties

Let $G$ be a finite group acting linearly on affine space $\mathbb{A}^n_k$ over $k = \mathbb{C}$. Since the action is linear, it can be extended to an action of $\operatorname{GL}_n(\mathbb{C})$, ...
jessetvogel's user avatar
3 votes
0 answers
175 views

Nef cone of a GIT quotient

I want to know how to calculate nef cone of a GIT quotient. In particular let $X$ be a projective variety and $L$ be an ample line bundle on $X$ and $G$ be a reductive algebraic group and chosen a $G$ ...
gary's user avatar
  • 61
3 votes
0 answers
147 views

A good stratification of a variety on which an algebraic group acts

Let $X$ be an algebraic variety over an algebraically closed field $k$ of characteristic 0 (a reduced separated scheme of finite type over $k$). Let $G$ be a connected linear algebraic group over $k$ (...
Mikhail Borovoi's user avatar
3 votes
0 answers
140 views

Topological criterion for GIT semistability

Let $X$ be a complex algebraic variety and $G$ a complex reductive group acting on $X$. Let $L$ be a linearization of this action, i.e. a line bundle with a linear action of $G$ covering that of $X$. ...
user118489's user avatar
3 votes
0 answers
325 views

Ring of invariants and Borel subgroup

Let $G$ be a connected algebraic group (can assume $G$ to be reductive) acting on a $k$-algebra $A$. Let $B$ be a Borel subgroup of $G$. Q. Is it generally true that the the ring of invariants $A^...
Une's user avatar
  • 113
3 votes
0 answers
213 views

Categorical quotient of open subsets of affine varieties

Let $X$ be a complex affine variety and $G$ be a complex reductive group acting on $X$. Let $X//G=\operatorname{Spec}\mathbb{C}[X]^G$ and $$\pi:X\to X//G$$ be the GIT quotient of $X$ by $G$. Suppose ...
SHP's user avatar
  • 779
2 votes
0 answers
52 views

Normal form of this group action?

Let $d\in\mathbb{N}$. We consider the vector space $V=\mathbb{C}^2\otimes\mathbb{C}[x_0,x_1]_d$ where $\mathbb{C}[x_0,x_1]_d$ is the space of homogeneous binary forms of degree $d$. We have a natural ...
Hans's user avatar
  • 3,031
2 votes
0 answers
188 views

Help with Macaulay2 computation of invariant ring

Consider the algebraic group $G:=\operatorname{SL}_{2}\times\operatorname{SL}_{2}$ acting on $V:=\operatorname{Mat}_{2\times 2}\oplus\operatorname{Mat}_{2\times 2}$ via the action $(A,B)\,\cdot\,(X,Y)=...
It'sMe's user avatar
  • 839
2 votes
0 answers
104 views

Alternatives to the ring of invariants depicting the orbit closures?

Let $G$ be an affine algebraic group over $\mathbb{C}$ and $V=\textrm{Spec}(A)$ an affine $G$-variety. Assume that $G$ is reductive. My understanding is that a central object in studying the action of ...
Hans's user avatar
  • 3,031
1 vote
1 answer
189 views

Is the conjugation action linearizable?

Let $G$ be a reductive algebraic group over some algebraically closed field $k$. Recall that, given an algebraic variety $X$ with an action of $G$, it is said that this action is linearizable if there ...
a_g's user avatar
  • 507
1 vote
1 answer
155 views

Invariant ring of the subvariety

Let $G$ be a linearly reductive algebraic group and $X$ be an affine $G$-variety over an algebraically closed field $\mathbb{K}$. Let $Y\subset X$ be a (closed) affine subvariety of $X$ which is also $...
It'sMe's user avatar
  • 839
1 vote
1 answer
282 views

What does this particular geometric quotient locally look like?

Let $k$ be a field and consider the algebraic group $GL_n$ over $Spec(k)$. It has as a closed (but not normal) algebraic subgroup the group $M$ of monomial matrices, i.e. matrices having exactly one ...
Florian's user avatar
  • 319
1 vote
1 answer
109 views

Orbit spaces of n-tuples of square matrices under simultaneous conjugation

Let $n, p, \geq 1$ be integers. Denote the set of ordered partitions of $p$ by $\Pi$: each $\pi \in \Pi$ is an ordered $k$-tuple $(p_1,p_2, \dotsc, p_k)$ where $p_1+\dotsb+p_k = p$. Write $\pi \leq \...
Jon Elmer's user avatar
  • 185
1 vote
0 answers
257 views

Confusion regarding the invariant rational functions

I was reading S. Mukai's- An Introduction to Invariants and Moduli, and I came across Proposition 6.16 on page 195 (see the screenshot below) It says that "every invariant rational function can ...
It'sMe's user avatar
  • 839
1 vote
0 answers
156 views

Software for computing invariant rings

I have an linearly reductive algebraic group $G$ acting regularly on an affine variety $X$(over an algebraically closed field of characteristic 0). I want to compute the invariant ring $\mathbb{K}[X]^{...
It'sMe's user avatar
  • 839
1 vote
0 answers
80 views

When is $Y$ not an orbit closure?

Let $G$ be a linearly reductive algebraic group acting regularly on an affine space over $\mathbb{A}^n$ an algebraically closed field $\mathbb{K}$. Let $Y$ be a $G$-invariant (closed) affine ...
It'sMe's user avatar
  • 839
1 vote
0 answers
208 views

Is $\langle\chi,\lambda\rangle=0$, whenever the limit exists? Where is the mistake?

Suppose $G$ is a linearly reductive algebraic group acting linearly on a finite dimensional vector space $V$ over $\mathbb{C}$. This induces an action on the coordinate ring $\mathbb{C}[V]$ (see here)....
It'sMe's user avatar
  • 839
1 vote
0 answers
127 views

How to determine if an invariant rational function is defined at the $\theta$-polystable point

Background: Let $A$ be a finite-dimensional (associative and unital) algebra over $\mathbb{C}$. Assume there is a quiver $Q=(Q_0,Q_1)$, where $Q_0$ is the set of vertices and $Q_1$ is the set of ...
It'sMe's user avatar
  • 839
1 vote
0 answers
362 views

Invariant ring of linear algebraic groups

Let $G$ be a connected linear algebraic group. This question concerns Hilbert's 14th Problem for the adjoint action of $G$ on itself. Let $k[G]^G$ denote the algebra of regular functions on $G$ ...
Dr. Evil's user avatar
  • 2,751