Polynomial functions of the odd orthogonal group (Q1059152)

Let K be an infinite field of characteristic \(\neq 2\), and let n be odd. The main goal of this paper is a description of the kernel J of the restriction map from the polynomial functions on \(G=GL(n,K)\) to the polynomial functions \((=\) full affine algebra) of the orthogonal group \(\Gamma =\{g\in G:\) \(g^{\top}Yg=Y\}\), where Y has 1's on the reverse diagonal and 0's elsewhere. The author obtains explicit generators for J, thereby generalizing a classical characteristic 0 result of H. Weyl originally derived in the framework of invariant theory. Here the arguments rely heavily on comparisons with functions on the ''big cell'' of G or \(\Gamma\) in the Bruhat decomposition. One complication is the disconnectedness of \(\Gamma\).