Exceptional \(\mathbb Z_2 \times \mathbb Z_2\)-symmetric spaces (Q2270629)

Let \(G\) be a connected Lie group and \(\sigma\) an involutive automorphism of \(G\). Then let \(G^\sigma\) denote the subgroup of \(G\) of fixed points of \(\sigma\). Further, for a subgroup \(H\) of \(G\), let \(H_0\) denote its identity component. Suppose that \(K\) is a closed subgroup of \(G\) such that \((G^\sigma)_0 \subseteq K \subseteq G^\sigma\). Then the homogeneous space \(G/K\) is called \(\mathbb{Z}_2\times\mathbb{Z}_2\)-symmetric if there are two automorphisms \(\sigma, \tau \in \Aut(G)\setminus\{id_G\}\) such that \(\sigma\not=\tau\), \(\sigma^2=\tau^2=id_G\), \(\sigma\tau=\tau\sigma\) and \((G^\sigma \cap G^\tau)_0 \subseteq K \subseteq G^\sigma\cap G^\tau\). The author gives a classification of the \(\mathbb{Z}_2\times\mathbb{Z}_2\)-symmetric spaces \(G/K\) in the case where \(G\) is an exceptional compact Lie group or \(Spin(8)\). This is equivalent to a classification of \(\mathbb{Z}_2\times\mathbb{Z}_2\)-gradings on the exceptional simple Lie algebras \(\mathfrak{e}_6, \mathfrak{e}_7, \mathfrak{e}_8, \mathfrak{f}_4, \mathfrak{g}_2\) and \(\mathfrak{so}(8)\). To determine the latter classification, the author uses a list of all symmetric subalgebras of symmetric subalgebras in the exceptional compact Lie algebras. Then he checks in each case whether the pair of symmetric subalgebras gives rise to a \(\mathbb{Z}_2\times\mathbb{Z}_2\)-symmetric space, taking advantage of a dimension count and several general methods developed in the article. To complete the classification he uses structure theory to derive that the arising list is complete. The classification for the case of simple classical Lie algebras (except \(\mathfrak{so}(8)\)) has been obtained by \textit{Y. Bahturin} and \textit{M. Goze} [Pac. J. Math. 236, No. 1, 1--21 (2008; Zbl 1156.53030)].