Equivariant intersection theory (With an appendix by Angelo Vistoli: The Chow ring of \({\mathcal M}_2\)) (Q1384926)

Let \(G\) be a linear algebraic group acting on a scheme, \(X\). Usually there are not enough invariant cycles on \(X\) to enable one to construct an equivariant Chow group with good properties. Using Totaro's Chow approximation to \(EG\) by open subsets of representations, \(V\), the authors define equivariant Chow groups, \(A_{*}^{G}(X)\), using invariant cycles on \(X \times V\). The construction is reminiscent of Borel equivariant cohomology. This definition leads to equivariant Chow groups which relate well to equivariant K-theory and cohomology. The authors relate \(A_{*}^{G}(X)\) to \(A_{*}(X/G)\), which is very important when \(X/G\) is only a stack. This connection is exploited in an appendix by \textit{A. Vistoli} to calculate the Chow ring of the moduli stack of smooth curves of genus two over a field of characteristic different from \(2\) or \(3\). \rightline\textit{Victor P. Snaith (Southampton).} \vskip 4mm In this paper, the authors develop an algebraic theory to study algebraic group actions. Let \(X\) be a scheme on which a linear algebraic group acts. The authors define the equivariant Chow groups of \(X\). Their definition is modeled after the theory of equivariant cohomology. The results have many profound implications. It is shown, for example, how they can be used to calculate Chow groups of quotient spaces and stacks. Some examples are given, including one in the appendix, written by \textit{A. Vistoli}, of the calculation of the Chow ring of the moduli stack of smooth curves of genus 2. When \(X\) is smooth, then the equivariant Chow groups have an intersection product, giving a graded ring structure. Thus for quotients of smooth schemes, one gets an intersection product on the rational Chow groups. This was shown in characteristic 0 by Gillet and Vistoli, but was not known in all cases for arbitrary characteristic.