On normality of cones over symmetric varieties (Q2474745)

Let \(G\) be a simply connected semisimple algebraic group, \(\sigma\) be an involution of \(G\) and \(H\) be the normalizer of the subgroup \(G^{\sigma}\) of fixed points. Denote by \(X\) the wonderful compactification of \(G/H\). Let \(L\) be a line bundle over \(X\) generated by global sections and \(A(L)=\bigoplus_{n\geq 0} \Gamma(X,L^n)\) be ring of global sections. This ring is generated in degree one [see \textit{R. Chirivì} and \textit{A. Maffei}, Duke Math. J. 122, No. 1, 93--123 (2004; Zbl 1064.14058)], and so can be identified with the projective coordinate ring of the variety which is the image of \(X\) into \(\mathbb{P}(\Gamma(X,L)^*)\). The variety \(X\) is smooth, so the corresponding cone in \(\mathbb{P}(\Gamma(X,L)^*)\) is normal. If \(V\) is a simple \(G\)-module and \(v\) is a (unique up to non-zero scalar) eigenvector for \(G^{\sigma}\) in \(V\), then the map from \(G/H\) to \(\mathbb{P}(V)\) defined by \(gH\to [g\cdot v]\) extends to a morphism \(\pi\) from \(X\) to \(\mathbb{P}(V)\). Set \(L=\pi^*(\mathcal{O}_{\mathbb{P}(V)}(1))\) and denote by \(B(L)\) the projective coordinate ring of \(\pi(X)\). The authors prove that \(A(L)\) is the integral closure of \(B(L)\) in its quotient field, and that the cone over \(\pi(X)\) is normal if and only if the highest weight of \(V\) is a minuscule weight for the restricted root system of the involution \(\sigma\). These results are generalized via a sort of parabolic induction of a symmetric variety. In the last section, the normality of the subring of the ring of polynomial functions on the symmetric (resp. antisymmetric) matrices of rank less than or equal to a given integer, generated by the minors (resp. Pfaffians) of a fixed order, as well as the normality of the closure of a spherical nilpotent orbit of height less or equal to two are proved.