Proper actions of \(\mathrm{SL}(2,\mathbb R)\) on semisimple symmetric spaces (Q2276091)

The paper under review considers proper actions of \(\text{SL}(2,\mathbb R)\) on symmetric spaces \(G/H\), where \(G\) is a semisimple Lie group, \(H\) is a (possibly noncompact) subgroup, and the action is via a homomorphism \(\text{SL}(2,\mathbb R)\to G\). It is shown that such an action exists if and only if there is a nilpotent orbit \({\mathcal O}\) of \(\text{Int} {\mathfrak g}_{\mathbb C}\) in \({\mathfrak g}_{\mathbb C}\) such that \({\mathcal O}\) meets \({\mathfrak g}\) but does not meet \({\mathfrak g}^c\), where \({\mathfrak g}_{\mathbb C}\) is the complexification of \({\mathfrak g}={\mathfrak h}+{\mathfrak q}\) and \({\mathfrak g}^c={\mathfrak h}+i{\mathfrak q}\subset{\mathfrak g}_{\mathbb C}\) is the dual Lie algebra. As a consequence one obtains the classification of semisimple symmetric spaces on which surface groups can act discontinuously.