Centers of generic algebras with involution. (Q2581386)

Let \(F\) be an infinite field of characteristic different from 2 and let \(V=M_n(F)\oplus M_n(F)\) be the direct sum of two matrix algebras with the action of the general linear group \(\text{GL}_n=\text{GL}_n(F)\) by simultaneous conjugation. Since the center of \(\text{GL}_n\) acts trivially, one has an action of \(\text{PGL}_n\). It is known that the invariant fields \(F(V)^{\text{PSp}_n}\) and \(F(V)^{\text{PO}_n}\) of the projective symplectic and orthogonal groups, are the centers of the generic division algebras of degree \(n\) with symplectic and orthogonal involution, respectively. One of the main problems for these fields is whether they are rational over \(F\). By the results of \textit{D. J. Saltman} [J. Algebra 258, No. 2, 507-534 (2002; Zbl 1099.13013)], \(F(V)^{\text{PO}_n}\) is stably rational for \(n\) odd. For \(n\) even \(F(V)^{\text{PSp}_n}\) and \(F(V)^{\text{PO}_n}\) are stably isomorphic and \(F(V)^{\text{PSp}_n}\) is stably isomorphic to the invariants of a lattice over the Weyl group \(W\) of \(\text{PSp}_n\), where \(W\) is the wreath product of the group \(\mathbb{Z}/2\mathbb{Z}\) of order 2 by \(S_m\), the symmetric group of degree \(m=n/2\). Also, if \(n\) is not divisible by 8, then \(F(V)^{\text{PSp}_n}\) is stably rational. The main result of the paper under review is to make the next step and to show that \(F(V)^{\text{PSp}_n}\) is stably rational when \(n=8s\) for some odd \(s\). For the proof, by the results of \textit{P. I. Katsylo} [Math. Notes 48, No. 2, 751-753 (1990); translation from Mat. Zametki 48, No. 2, 49-52 (1990; Zbl 0729.14034)] and \textit{A. Schofield} [J. Algebra 147, No. 2, 345-349 (1992; Zbl 0785.14030)], combined with the results of Saltman, it is sufficient to consider the case \(n=8\) only. In order to handle this highly nontrivial case, the author replaces the problem for stable rationality of the center of the corresponding generic division algebra with involution with a question of rationality, referred also as a lattice invariant problem, in the special case of the Noether setting for a suitable finite group \(G\).