Enveloping algebras of Slodowy slices and the Joseph ideal (Q2466992)

Summary: Let \(G\) be a simple algebraic group over an algebraically closed field \(k\) of characteristic \(0\), and \(\mathfrak g=\text{Lie}\,G\). Let \((e,h,f)\) be an \(\mathfrak{sl}_2\)-triple in \(\mathfrak g\) with \(e\) being a long root vector in \(\mathfrak g\). Let \((\cdot,\cdot)\) be the \(G\)-invariant bilinear form on \(\mathfrak g\) with \((e,f)=1\) and let \(\chi\in\mathfrak{g}^*\) be such that \(\chi(x)=(e,x)\) for all \(x\in\mathfrak g\). Let \({\mathcal S}\) be the Slodowy slice at \(e\) through the adjoint orbit of \(e\) and let \(H\) be the enveloping algebra of \({\mathcal S}\) [\textit{A. Premet}, Adv. Math. 170, No. 1, 1--55 (2002; Zbl 1005.17007)]. In this note we give an explicit presentation of \(H\) by generators and relations. As a consequence we deduce that \(H\) contains an ideal of codimension \(1\) which is unique if \(\mathfrak g\) is not of type \(\mathrm A\). Applying \textit{S. Skryabin}'s equivalence of categories [Math. Z. 243, No. 3, 563--597 (2003; Zbl 1054.17015)] we then construct an explicit Whittaker model for the Joseph ideal of \(U(\mathfrak{g})\). Inspired by Joseph's preparation theorem we prove that there exists a homeomorphism between the primitive spectrum of \(H\) and the spectrum of all primitive ideals of infinite codimension in \(U(\mathfrak{g})\) which respects Goldie rank and Gelfand--Kirillov dimension. We study highest weight modules for the algebra \(H\) and apply earlier results of \textit{D. Miličić} and \textit{W. Soergel} [Comment. Math. Helv. 72, No. 4, 503--520 (1997; Zbl 0956.17004)] and \textit{E. Backelin} [Int. Math. Res. Not. 1997, No. 4, 153--172 (1997; Zbl 0974.17007)] to express the composition multiplicities of the Verma modules for \(H\) in terms of some inverse parabolic Kazhdan--Lusztig polynomials. Our results confirm in the minimal nilpotent case the de Vos--van Driel conjecture on composition multiplicities of Verma modules for finite \({\mathcal W}\)-algebras. We also obtain some general results on the enveloping algebras of Slodowy slices and determine the associated varieties of related primitive ideals of \(U(\mathfrak{g})\). A sequel to this paper will treat modular aspects of this theory.