Actions of linear algebraic groups of exceptional type on projective varieties (Q1011620)

Let \(G\) be a complex simple linear algebraic group, and let \(X\) be a smooth projective variety of dimension \(n\) on which \(G\) acts regularly. The general question of interest here is to understand the possible structure of \(X\). Let \(r_G\) denote the minimal codimension of a parabolic subgroup of \(G\). \textit{M. Andreatta} [Osaka J. Math. 38, 151--166 (2001; Zbl 1054.14061)] showed that if \(r_G < n\), then there are no non-trivial regular \(G\)-actions on \(X\). Andreatta further showed that if \(r_G = n\), then \(X\) is homogeneous. When \(r_G = n + 1\) and \(G\) is classical, Andreatta provided a classification of all such \(X\) (for non-trivial actions). In this paper, a classification of all such \(X\) is given when \(G\) is of exceptional type. The proof builds on the aforementioned work of Andreatta and makes use of the fact that \(X\) (with \(G\) acting non-trivially) has an extremal contraction \(\phi: X \to Z\) which is \(G\)-equivariant, and where \(G\) also acts regularly on \(Z\). The proof proceeds through various cases depending on possibilities for \(X\) and the extremal ray \(\phi\), reducing in part to previous work of the author [Math. Ann. 342, 557--563 (2008; Zbl 1154.14037)] on ample divisors.