On generic quadratic forms (Q1755279)

Let \(k\) be a field of characteristic different from two and let $F_g=k(t_1,\dots,t_n)$ be the field of rational function over $k$ in variables $t_1,\dots,t_n$ for some $n\geq 2$. The diagonal quadratic form $q_g$ defined by $q_g(x_1,\dots,x_n)=\sum_{1\leq i\leq b}t_ix_i^2$ on the vector space $F_g^n$ is said to be generic. Furthermore the standard generic quadratic form $q$ over $k(t_{ij})_{1\leq i\leq j\leq n}$ with $n(n+1)/2$ variables $t_{ij}$ is defined by the formula $q(x_1,\dots, x_n)=\sum_{1\leq i\leq j\leq n}t_{ij}x_ix_j$. \par The main result of the present paper determines the Chow ring $\text{CH}X$ of all orthogonal Grassmannians $X$ associated with the generic and the standard generic quadratic forms. More precisely, the author shows that the Chow ring is generated by the Chern classes of the tautological vector bundle of $X$, and gives a complete list of relations satisfied by these Chern classes. As an application he shows that the additive group of $\text{CH}X$ is torsion-free.