The structured Gerstenhaber problem. I. (Q2418960)

The main result that the author obtains is the following: \par Theorem. Let $V$ be a finite-dimensional vector space over a field $\mathbb{F}$ with characteristic not $2$, and $b$ be a nondegenerate symmetric or alternating bilinear form on $V$. Denote by $\nu$ the Witt index of $b$, and set $n := \dim V$. \begin{itemize} \item[(a)] The maximal possible dimension for a nilpotent subspace of the set of all $b$-symmetric endomorphisms $\mathcal{S}_b$ is $\nu(n - \nu)$. \item[(b)] The maximal possible dimension for a nilpotent subspace of the set of all $b$-alternating endomorphisms $\mathcal{A}_b$ is $\nu(n - \nu - 1)$. \end{itemize} The author obtains several results on nilpotent $b$-symmetric or $b$-Hermitian endomorphisms of $V$. He provides all relevant definitions and includes detailed proofs. He describes the surrounding area with special attention to the structured Gerstenhaber problem.