Antipodal sets of symmetric \(R\)-spaces (Q1948070)

A symmetric \(R\)-space is a Riemannian symmetric space which can be realized as an orbit for the isotropy action in a Riemannian symmetric space. A subset \(S\) in a Riemannian symmetric space \(M\) is said to be antipodal if \(s_x(y)=y\) for every \(x,y\in S\), where \(s_x\) denotes the geodesic symmetry at \(x\). An antipodal set is discrete. It is proven that, in a symmetric \(R\)-space \(M\), any antipodal set is included in a great antipodal set, i.e. an antipodal set with maximal cardinality, and that any two great antipodal sets \(S_1\) and \(S_2\) are congruent, i.e. there is an element \(g\) in the connected identity component of the group of isometries of \(M\) such that \(S_2=gS_1\). The proof uses the following description of symmetric \(R\)-spaces: Hermitian symmetric spaces of compact type are \(R\)-spaces and any symmetric \(R\)-space is a real form of a Hermitian symmetric space of compact type.