On the notion of canonical dimension for algebraic groups (Q2577484)

Let \(G\) be an algebraic group over an algebraically closed field of characteristic zero, and let \(X\) be a \(G\)-variety In this article, the authors introduce the notion of canonical dimension of the action. For generically free actions, this notion is somewhat related to the essential dimension, studied in [\textit{Z. Reichstein}, ``On the notion of essential dimension for algebraic groups''. Transform. Groups 5, No. 3, 265--304 (2000; Zbl 0981.20033) and \textit{Z. Reichstein} and \textit{B. Youssin},``Essential dimensions of algebraic groups and a resolution theorem for \(G\)-varieties'', Can. J. Math. 52, No. 5, 1018--1056 (2000; Zbl 1044.14023)]. Both these invariants measure how far the generically free actions are from being split. For a given algebraic group \(G\), they define the canonical dimension of \(G\), denoted by \(cd(G)\) to be the maximal value of the canonical dimension of all generically free \(G\)-varieties. An algebraic group is called special if every generically free \(G\)-variety is split. If \(G\) is connected, then \(cd(G)=0\) if and only if \(G\) is special. The authors calculate the canonical dimension for certain algebraic groups. Finally, they apply their results to compute the minimal number of parameters needed to define a generic hypersurface of degree \(d\) in projetive \(n\)-space.