Classification of two-orbit varieties (Q1405748)

Let \(G\) be a complex connected reductive algebraic group. The goal of the paper is to classify all two-orbit \(G\)-varieties. A two-orbit \(G\)-variety is a normal complete algebraic variety \(X\) on which \(G\) acts with precisely two orbits (one which is dense in \(X\) and one which is closed). Let \(H \subset G\) denote the stabilizer of a point in the dense orbit. \(H\) is called the generic stabilizer. Partial work on this problem had been done previously by D. Akhiezer, G. Huckleberry and D. Snow, M. Brion, and D. Feldmüller. The author first reduces the problem to the case that \(G\) is semisimple and then introduces a notion of parabolic induction as a way of obtaining two-orbit \(G\)-varieties from a two-orbit variety for a parabolic subgroup of \(G\). The key step in the classification is a reduction theorem which reduces the problem to classifying all cuspidal two-orbit varieties. That is, those which cannot be obtained by parabolic induction. The author then determines all possible pairs \((G,H)\) with \(G\) being semisimple for which \(H \subset G\) is the generic stabilizer of a two-orbit \(G\)-variety. The author first treats the case when the ranks of \(G\) and \(H\) are equal and secondly when they are unequal. Finally, to complete the classification, the author uses the theory of \textit{D. Luna} and \textit{T. Vust} [Comment. Math. Helv. 58, 186--245 (1983; Zbl 0545.14010)] to see that for each \(G\) and \(H\) there corresponds a unique two-orbit \(G\)-variety which is given explicitly. A consequence of the classification is the confirmation of a conjecture of D. Luna that all two-orbit \(G\)-varieties are spherical (admit a dense orbit of a Borel subgroup). It should be noted that at about the same time this paper was written \textit{A. Smirnov} [Trans. Mosc. Math. Soc. 2003, 193--247 (2003; Zbl 1066.22015)] used different methods to give a complete classification of nearly closed orbits. An orbit is nearly closed if its closure consists of exactly two orbits one of which is closed. That classification recovers the one obtained in this work. A summary of Smirnov's work can be found [in: Invariant theory in all characteristics, CRM Lecture Notes 35, Am. Math. Soc., Providence, RI, 251--257 (2004; Zbl 1067.14044)].