The ring of invariants of pairs of \(3 \times 3\) matrices (Q2134022)

Let \(M_n\) stand for the algebra of \(n\times n\) matrices over the complex numbers \(\mathbb{C}\), then the general linear group \(\mathrm{GL}_n=\mathrm{GL}_n(\mathbb{C})\) acts on the \(d\)-tuples of matrices, \(M_n^d\), by simultaneous conjugation. Such an action induces an action of \(\mathrm{GL}_n\) on the algebra of polynomial functions \(\mathbb{C}[M_n^d]\) of \(M_n^d\). The algebra of invariants \(\mathbb{C}[M_n^d]^{\mathrm{GL}_n}\) is a classical object in invariant theory, and has a broad range of applications. The description of \(\mathbb{C}[M_2^d]^{\mathrm{GL}_2}\) is well known for every \(d\) but the things become more complicated for \(3\times 3\) matrices, even in the case when \(d=2\). A well known theorem of \textit{Y. Teranishi} [Nagoya Math. J. 104, 149--161 (1986; Zbl 0615.16013)] states that \(\mathbb{C}[M_3^2]^{\mathrm{GL}_3}\) is generated by 11 elements; later on \textit{K. Nakamoto} [J. Pure Appl. Algebra 166, No. 1--2, 125--148 (2002; Zbl 1001.15022)] proved that the latter ring is not freely generated by these 11 elements, and found an explicit relation among them. \textit{H. Aslaksen} et al. [J. Algebra 298, No. 1, 41--57 (2006; Zbl 1100.16019)], by using representation theory, found a simpler system of generators which simplified aslo the relation among them. In the paper under review, the authors obtain a new proof of the relation among these generators. They use, instead of the representation theory of the general linear group, necklace Lie algebras and the Poisson algebra structure on \(\mathbb{C}[M_n^d]^{\mathrm{GL}_n}\).