Generically split projective homogeneous varieties (Q963739)

Let \(k\) denote a field, \(G\) an exceptional simple algebraic group over \(k\) of inner type. The aim is to classify projective \(G\)-homogeneous varieties \(X\) such that \(G\) splits over the field of rational functions \(k(X)\). The difficult part is to show nonsplitting. For this the authors use the \textit{\(J\)-invariant} introduced and classified in [\textit{V. Petrov, N. Semenov, K. Zainoulline}, Ann. Sci. Éc. Norm. Supér. (4) 41, No. 6, 1023--1053 (2008; Zbl 1206.14017)]. This motivic invariant of \(G\) depends on a prime \(p\) and is a sequence of integers encoding structure of Chow groups with mod \(p\) coefficients. The classification allows to give what they call a 2-line proof of the triviality of the kernel of the Rost invariant for groups of type \(E_7\). (Both lines in this proof need to be wrapped repeatedly.) One does not need to know concrete realizations of algebraic groups in this approach. The second author has used the classification to construct cohomological invariants for groups of type \(E_8\) and to solve a problem of Serre.