On the moment map for the variety of Lie algebras. (Q1403854)

In the paper under review, the algebraic variety of all complex Lie algebras of fixed dimension is investigated by using the symplectic methods developed by \textit{F. C. Kirwan} [Cohomology of quotients in symplectic and algebraic geometry, Mathematical Notes 31, Princeton University Press (1984; Zbl 0553.14020)] and \textit{L.~Ness} [Am. J. Math. 106, 1281--1329 (1984; Zbl 0604.14006)]. Specifically, let \(n\) be a positive integer, \(V_n\) the complex vector space of all skew-symmetric bilinear maps \({\mathbb C}^n\times{\mathbb C}^n\to{\mathbb C}^n\), and \({\mathcal L}_n\) the algebraic subset of \(V_n\) consisting of all maps that define Lie brackets on \({\mathbb C}^n\) (i.e., satisfy the Jacobi identity). Then \(\text{GL}(n,{\mathbb C})\) naturally acts on \(V_n\) leaving \({\mathcal L}_n\) invariant, and that leads to an action of \(\text{GL}(n,{\mathbb C})\) on \({\mathbb P}V_n\) leaving \(L_n:=\pi ({\mathcal L}_n)\) invariant, where \({\mathbb P}V_n\) is the projective space associated with \(V_n\) and \(\pi :V_n\setminus \{0\} \to {\mathbb P}V_n\) is the natural projection. Now it turns out that the compact subgroup \(\text{U}(n)\) of \(\text{GL}(n,{\mathbb C})\) acts in a Hamiltonian fashion on the symplectic manifold \({\mathbb P} V_n\), and that Hamiltonian action has a \(\text{U}(n) \)-equivariant moment map \(m_n:{\mathbb P}V_n\to {\mathfrak u}(n)^* \simeq\text{i}{\mathfrak u}(n)\). One of the aims of the paper under review is to study the set \(C_n\) of critical points of the function \(F_n(\cdot):=\| m_n(\cdot) \|^2: {\mathbb P}V_n\to {\mathbb R}\) in order to understand the so-called Kirwan-Ness quotient \(L_n/\!/\!/\!\text{GL}(n,{\mathbb C}):=(L_n \cap C_n)/\text{U}(n)\). The main result of the paper (Theorem 4.7) describes the critical points of \(F_n\) in terms of the critical points of \(F_m\), for \(m\leq n\), which correspond to nilpotent Lie algebras. In the author's words, ``Our goal is, however, the possible applications of this `moment map' approach to the study of degenerations, rigidity and irreducible components of \({\mathcal L}_n\).'' In this connection, the paper includes several interesting specific problems and remarks. Everything is illustrated by illuminating examples.