Monodromy group for a strongly semistable principal bundle over a curve (Q2492108): Difference between revisions

Let \(G\) be a semisimple linear algebraic group defined over an algebraically closed field \(k\) and let \(X\) be a smooth projective curve, \(x\in X\). When \(k\) has finite characteristic, a strongly semistable (strongly stable) principal \(G\)-bundle over \(X\) is a \(G\)-bundle such that every iterated Frobenius pullback is semistable (stable). (For \(k\) of characteristic \(0\), we make the convention that a strongly semistable (strongly stable) bundle is simply a semistable (stable) bundle.) Given any such principal \(G\)-bundle \(E_G\), the authors construct a monodromy group scheme \(M\), which is contained in the fibre over \(x\) of the adjoint bundle \(\text{ Ad}(E_G)\). Fixing a \(k\)-rational point \(z\in(E_G)_x\), one can identify \(\text{ Ad}(E_G)_x\) with \(G\) and show that the structure group of \(E_G\) can be reduced to \(M\). The authors prove also that \(M\) coincides with \(G\) if and only if the vector bundle \(E_V\) is strongly stable for every irreducible \(G\)-module \(V\). An application of the monodromy group scheme is given, and it is proved that there exist strongly stable principal \(G\)-bundles whose monodromy group scheme coincides with \(G\) when \(k\) is uncountable of positive characteristic. In a final section, the authors consider the case \(k={\mathbb C}\) and show that, for a bundle \(E(\rho)\) associated with a representation of the fundamental group in a maximal compact subgroup \(K(G)\) of \(G\), the monodromy group scheme \(M\) coincides with the Zariski closure in \(G\) of the image of \(\rho\). The construction of \(M\) depends on the use of Tannakian categories and in particular on results of \textit{M.~V.~Nori} [Compos. Math. 33, 29--41 (1976; Zbl 0337.14016); Proc. Indian Acad. Sci., Math. Sci. 91, 73--122 (1982; Zbl 0586.14006)].