On the singular value decomposition over finite fields and orbits of \(\mathrm{GU} \times \mathrm{GU} \) (Q1983968)

The author classifies the orbits of \(\mathrm{GU}_m(q) \times \mathrm{GU}_n(q)\) on \(M_{m \times n}(q^2)\), which is an analog of the singular value decompositions for complex matrices. Here, \(q\) is a prime power, and the unitary groups \(\mathrm{GU}_n(q)\) are defined as follows: let \(F\) be the field of \(q^2\) elements and denote by \(F_0\) the subfield with \(q\) elements. Then there is a unique automorphism of \(F\) of order \(2\) (with fixed field \(F_0\)). This automorphism is used to define the group \(\mathrm{GU}_n(q)\). The proof of the main result makes use of two basic ingredients: Kronecker's theory of pencils, which gives the orbits of the action of \(\mathrm{GL}_m(K) \times \mathrm{GL}_n(K)\) on \(M_{m \times n}(K) \times M_{n \times m}(K)\) (where the action is given by \((A, B) \rightarrow (X A Y^{-1}, YB X^{-1})\)), and the Lang-Steinberg theorem, which determines the orbits of \(\mathrm{GU}_m(q) \times \mathrm{GU}_n(q)\) on \(M_{m \times n}(q^2)\). Here \(K\) is an algebraic closure of \(F\).