Tame group actions on central simple algebras. (Q2470386)

Let \(k\) be an algebraically closed field of characteristic zero, \(K/k\) a finitely generated field extension, \(A/K\) a finite-dimensional central simple algebra of degree \(n\), and \(G\) a linear algebraic group defined over \(k\). Suppose that the group \(G(k)\) of \(k\)-points on \(G\) acts on \(A\) by \(k\)-algebra automorphisms. The paper under review deals with several aspects of the study of the fixed ring \(A^G\) for this action. The authors achieve their main goals in case the considered action is tame (they show that a number of naturally arising actions possess this property). In this case, one associates a certain subgroup \(S\) of the projective linear group \(\text{PGL}_n\) (defined up-to conjugacy and called the associated stabilizer). The first main result of the paper (stated as Theorem 1.1) shows that the tameness of the action implies that the fixed algebra \(A^G/K^G\) is a form of \(M_n/k\). Here \(S\subset\text{PGL}_n\) acts on the matrix algebra \(M_n\) by conjugation, and \(M_n^S\) denotes the fixed algebra for this action. Assuming in addition that the group \(S\) is reductive, whence the same holds for its preimage \(S^*\) in \(\text{PGL}_n\), the authors prove that \(A^G\) is semisimple. Regarding the inclusion \(\Phi\) of \(S^*\) in \(\text{PGL}_n\) as an \(n\)-dimensional linear representation of \(S^*\), they also obtain that \(A^G\) is commutative if and only if \(\Phi\) is a sum of distinct irreducible representations. Furthermore, it is proved that the centre \(Z(A^G)\) is included in \(K\) if and only if \(\Phi\) is a power of an irreducible representation; specifically, \(A^G\subseteq K\) if and only if \(\Phi\) is irreducible. The second main result of the paper shows which forms of \(M_n^S\) can be realized in the way pointed out by Theorem 1.1. The result is illustrated by an example which proves, in particular, that every finite-dimensional semisimple algebra \(B\) over a finitely generated extension \(F\) of \(k\) appears as \(\widetilde A^{\widetilde G}/\widetilde K^{\widetilde G}\) for some tame action of a linear algebraic group \(\widetilde G\) on a central simple \(\widetilde K\)-algebra \(\widetilde A\) (with a reductive associated stabilizer).