An invariant for triples in the Shilov boundary of a bounded symmetric domain (Q2369819)

The classical definition of the Maslov index for triples of Lagrangian subspaces of a real symplectic vector space given in [\textit{G. Lion} and \textit{M. Vergne}, The Weil representation, Maslov index and Theta series. Progress in Mathematics, 6. Birkhäuser (1980; Zbl 0444.22005)] can be interpreted and generalized in terms of Jordan algebras and bounded symmetric domains [see \textit{J.-L. Clerc} and \textit{B. Orsted}, Transform. Groups 6, No. 4, 303--320 (2001; Zbl 1078.53076) and \textit{J.-L. Clerc} and \textit{K.-H. Neeb}, Transform. Groups 11, No. 3, 387--426 (2006; Zbl 1112.32010)]. Let \(D\) be a bounded symmetric domain and \(G\) the identity component of the group of biholomorphic automorphisms of \(D\). The action of every element \(g\in G\) extends to a neighborhood of the topological closure of \(D\) and preserves the Shilov boundary \(S\) of \(D\). In this setting a special \(G\)-invariant mapping \(\iota:S\times S\times S\rightarrow \mathbb R\) is interpreted as the Maslov index of \(S\). In the above papers the construction of \(\iota\) is developed and studied for domains of tube type. In the present paper the author extends the construction of \(\iota\) in the general situation. The main problem is the definition of \(\iota\) for elements \((\sigma_1,\sigma_2,\sigma_3)\in S\times S\times S\) where at least two components agree. This is solved by a limit process using the concept of so-called \(\Gamma\)-radial convergence [see also \textit{J.-L. Clerc}, J. Math. Pures Appl., IX. Sér. 83, No. 1, 99--114 (2004; Zbl 1061.53056)]. The paper contains a detailed description of bounded Hermitian domains in terms of positive Hermitian Jordan triple systems and of the wedge structure on \(S\) and the notion of \(\Gamma\)-radial convergence. The author also describes the geometric properties of those triples in \(S\times S\times S\) which correspond to the extremal values of the Maslov index [see also \textit{J.-L. Clerc} and \textit{B. Orsted}, Asian J. Math. 7, No. 2, 269--295 (2003; Zbl 1079.53120)].