The 2-ranks of connected compact Lie groups (Q390052)

The 2-rank of a compact Lie group \(G\) is the maximal possible rank of the elementary 2-subgroup \(\mathbb{Z}_2\times \cdots \times \mathbb{Z}_2\) of \(G\). The study of 2-ranks of compact Lie groups was initiated by \textit{A. Borel} and \textit{J.-P. Serre} [Comment. Math. Helv. 27, 128--139 (1953; Zbl 0051.01902)]. In the paper under review, the author presents the complete determination of 2-ranks of compact connected simple Lie groups \(G\) by using the maximal antipodal sets \(A_2G\) of \(G\) introduced by the present author and \textit{T. Nagano} [C. R. Acad. Sci., Paris, Sér. I 295, 389--391 (1982; Zbl 0531.53034)] and the \((M_+;M_-)\)-method; see \textit{B.-Y. Chen} and \textit{T. Nagano} [Duke Math. J. 45, 405--425 (1978; Zbl 0384.53024)], respectively. Relations between 2-ranks and the topology are established. The 2-ranks of classical Lie groups are computed. Some concluding the remarks are given.