Integral geometry under \(G_2\) and \(Spin(7)\) (Q1758912)

For a finite-dimensional vector space \(V\), we let \(\mathrm{Val}=\mathrm{Val}(V)\) the vector space of all continuous and translation invariant valuations on \(V\). Assume that \(V\) is endowed with a scalar product and let \(G\) be a compact subgroup of \(\mathrm{SO}(V)\). Denote by \(\mathrm{Val}^G\) the subspace of all \(G\)-invariant valuations. The following three fundamental problems of integral geometry arise. (i) Determine the dimension of \(\mathrm{Val}^G\) and give a geometrically meaningful basis of this space. (ii) Compute the algebra structure of \(\mathrm{Val}^G\). (iii) Compute the whole array of kinematic formulas and additive kinematic formulas. In the paper under review, the authors solve these problems for the exceptional groups \(G_2\) and \(\mathrm{Spin}(7)\). The proofs exploit the properties \(\mathrm{SU}(3)<G_2<\mathrm{Spin}(7)\), \(\mathrm{SU}(4)<\mathrm{Spin}(7)\) and the fact that \(G_2\) and \(\mathrm{Spin}(7)\) act 2-transitively on the unit sphere. Earlier results on the subject are due to Blaschke, Chern, Santalo, Hadwiger, Alesker, Tasaki, and others.