Algorithmic modality analysis for parabolic groups (Q1281802)

The authors discuss an algorithm which is used to compute upper bounds for the modality of parabolic subgroups \(P\) of reductive algebraic groups \(G\) over an algebraically closed field (i.e., the maximal number of parameters upon which a family of orbits of the adjoint action of \(P\) on the Lie algebra of its unipotent radical \(P_u\) depends). Using this algorithm, the authors give a classification of \(P\) in simple \(G\) such that the semisimple rank of \(P\) is \(2\) and the modality is \(0\). Some partial results are obtained for parabolic subgroups of semisimple rank \(3\). For exceptional simple \(G\), the authors show that \(P\) has modality \(0\) provided the class of nilpotency of \(P_u\) is at most \(2\). In some small rank cases the value of the modality of Borel subgroups is determined.