On the orbit spaces of irreducible representations of simple compact Lie groups of types \(B\), \(C\), and \(D\) (Q404177)

Let \(V\) be a real vector space and \(G \subset \mathrm{GL}(V )\) a compact connected linear group. The author considers the question whether the orbit space (topological quotient) \(V/G\) is a smooth manifold. The case in which \(G\) is either abelian or of type \(A_r\) has been studied in a previous work of the author. In this article, the other classical compact Lie groups are considered. It is proved that the orbit space of an irreducible representation of a simple connected compact Lie group of types \(B_r\), \(C_r\), or \(D_r\) is not a smooth manifold unless \(V\) is the (semi)spinor representation of \(B_5\) or \(D_6\). In the last two cases, the answer is not known.