Double coset decompositions of algebraic groups arising from two involutions I (Q1897800)

Let \(G\) be a real reductive algebraic group, \(\tau\), \(\sigma\) two involutive automorphisms of \(G\), \(H := G^\sigma\), and \(L := G^\tau\), where \(G^\rho\) denotes the group of fixed points for an automorphism \(\rho\) of \(G\). In the paper under review the author studies the double coset decomposition \(H \setminus G/L\) under the condition that \(G\) is connected and, in addition, one of the following three conditions is satisfied: (a) \(G\) is compact and \(\tau\) and \(\sigma\) commute, (b) \(\sigma\) or \(\tau\) is a Cartan involution, (c) \(\sigma = \tau\). Note that if (b) is satisfied, then, after conjugating one of the involutions with a suitable inner automorphism, one may also assume that \(\tau\) and \(\sigma\) commute. The core of the paper consists of a description of standard representatives of the double coset decomposition \(H \setminus G/L\) for a many triples \((G, \tau, \sigma)\), mainly where \(G\) is a general linear group over the field of reals, complex numbers or quaternions. This is essentially done by a case by case analysis. In a note added in proof the author announces that he has obtained a general theory to describe the double coset decomposition \(H\setminus G/L\) for reductive Lie groups [the author, Double coset decompositions of reductive Lie groups arising from two involutions, Preprint].