Some rationality properties of observable groups and related questions (Q2567509)

Let \(G\) be a linear algebraic group over an algebraically closed field \(k\). For every closed \(k\)-subgroup of \(G\) we define \(H^{\prime }=k[ G] ^{H},\) where \(H\) acts on \(k[ G] ,\) the regular function ring, via right translation. For \(R\) a \(k\)-subalgebra of \(k[ G] \) we define \(R^{\prime }=\{ g\in G\,| \,r_{g}\cdot f=f\text{ for all }f\in R\} .\) Now if \(H\leq G\) is closed then \(H\subset H^{\prime \prime }\subset G\) -- note that \(H^{\prime \prime }=( H^{\prime }) ^{\prime }.\) If any finite dimensional rational representation of \(H\) can be extended to a finite dimensional rational representation of \(G\) then \(H\) is called an observable subgroup of \(G\). There are many equivalent conditions for \(H\) to be observable, eight of which are listed: for example \(H\) is observable if and only if \(H=H^{\prime \prime }.\) If \(H\) is observable and \(H^{\prime }\) is a finitely generated \(k\)-algebra then \(H\) is a Grosshans subgroup. On the other hand, if \(H^{\prime \prime }=G\) then \(H\) is called an epimorphic subgroup of \(G\). This paper is a study of observable, Grosshans, and epimorphic subgroups in the case where \(k\) is not algebraically closed. We summarize the case where \(H\) is observable. The following are equivalent to \(H\) being observable (here \(G^{\circ }\) refers to the connected component of \(G\)): (1) \(H\) is \(k\)-observable. {(2)} \(H\) is an isotropy subgroup of \(G.\) (3) There exist finitely many \(f\in k[ G/H] \) which separate \( G/H.\) {(4)} \(G/H\) is a quasi-affine variety over \(k\). {(5)} \(H\) has the extension property, e.g. every \(k\)-rational representation of \(H\) extends to a \(k\)-rational representation of \(G\). {(6)} There is a \(k\)-rational representation \(\pi :G\to \text{GL} ( V) \) and a \(v\in V( k) \) such that \(H=G_{v}\) and \( G/H\cong G\cdot v.\) {(7)} The quotient field of the ring of \(G^{\circ }\cap H\)-invariants in \(k [ G^{\circ }] \) is equal to the field of \(G^{\circ }\cap H\)-invariants in \(k( G^{\circ }) .\) These equivalent statements mirror those given in the case where \(k\) is algebraically closed -- indeed, many of them are proved by piecing together results about properties which are invariant under algebraic field extension. Similarly, the following are equivalent to \(H\) being \(k\)-epimorphic: (i) \(k[ G/H] =k\) {(ii)} \(\dim _{k}k[ G/H] \) is finite. (iii) For \(V\) a rational \(G\)-module over \(k\) the spaces of fixed points of \(G \) and \(H\) in \(V\) are the same. (iv) For \(V\) a rational \(G\)-module over \(k\) with \(V=X\oplus Y,\) \(X,Y\) \(H\)-invariant we have that \(X\) and \(Y\) are also \(G\)-invariant. (v) Any morphism of algebraic \(k\) groups from \(G\) to another group is determined by the values on \(H\). Finally, let \(H\) be an observable \(k\)-subgroup of \(G\), where \(k\) is a perfect field with infinitely many elements. We say an observable subgroup \(H \) of \(G\) satisfies the codimension 2 condition over \(k\) if there is a finite dimensional rational representation \(\varphi :G\to \text{GL} ( V) \) and a \(v\in V\) such that \(H=G_{v}\) and each irreducible component of \(\overline{G\cdot v}\setminus G\cdot v\) has codimension at least 2 in \(G\cdot v.\) It is shown that \(H\) satisfies the codimension 2 condition over \(k\) if and only if one of \(k[ G] ^{H},\,k[ G ] ^{H^{\circ }},\,k[ G^{\circ }] ^{H\cap G^{\circ }},\) or \(k [ G^{\circ }] ^{H^{\circ }}\) is a finitely-generated \(k\)-algebra. Furthermore, these conditions imply that \(H\) is a Grosshans subgroup of \(G\), i.e. \(k[ G] ^{H( k) }\) is a finitely generated \(k\) -algebra, and moreover if \(H( k) \) is Zariski dense in \(H\) then the converse to this is true, giving an equivalence of the three statements.