On the associated variety of a primitive ideal (Q1076784): Difference between revisions

The aim of this paper is to close the last gap in the classification of the primitive spectrum of the enveloping algebra \(U({\mathfrak g})\) of a semisimple Lie algebra \({\mathfrak g}\) over the complex field by showing that the associated variety of a primitive ideal of \(U({\mathfrak g})\) is the closure of the nilpotent orbit in \({\mathfrak g}^*\) determined by comparing the Springer and Goldie rank classifications of Weyl group representations, thus extending work of the author [Compos. Math. 42, 23--30 (1980; Zbl 0446.17005)] and of \textit{W. Borho} and \textit{J.-L. Brylinski} [Invent. Math. 69, 437--476 (1982; Zbl 0504.22015)]. The proof draws on the work of several others and has four main ingredients. (1) The adaption of a theorem of \textit{O. Gabber} [Am. J. Math. 103, 445--468 (1981; Zbl 0492.16002)] which states that for any finite dimensional Lie algebra \({\mathfrak a}\) and any finitely generated d-homogeneous \(U({\mathfrak a})\)-module \(M\), the associated variety \({\mathcal V}(M)\) is equidimensional. (2) The fact that the Casselman functor \(\eta\) is faithful as proved by \textit{O. Gabber} [see the author's mimeographed notes, Applications de la théorie des anneaux aux algèbres enveloppantes (Paris, 1980)]. (3) A result of \textit{R. Hotta} [Tôhoku Math. J., II. Ser. 36, 49--74 (1984; Zbl 0545.20029)] which establishes that a construction of Weyl group representations from nilpotent orbits defined in a paper of the author [J. Algebra 88, 238--278 (1984; Zbl 0539.17006)] is in fact the Springer correspondence. It implies that certain polynomials which were attached to irreducible varieties associated to nilpotent orbits are linearly independent and this fact can be used to separate these varieties and the nilpotent orbits themselves. (4) The existence and certain properties of polynomials determining the Goldie ranks of so-called coherent families of primitive quotients. The method was motivated by work of \textit{D. Barbasch} and \textit{D. A. Vogan} [Math. Ann. 259, 153--199 (1982; Zbl 0489.22010) and J. Algebra 80, 350--382 (1983; Zbl 0513.22009)].