Kostant's convexity theorem and the compact classical groups (Q4376552)

The author reviews Kostant's convexity theorem for adjoint orbits of compact connected Lie groups which asserts that the orthogonal projection of such an orbit \({\mathcal O}\) to a maximal toral subalgebra \({\mathfrak t}\) is equal to the convex hull of the Weyl group orbit of \({\mathcal O} \cap {\mathfrak t}\). Several examples are worked out in detail. Finally the author uses the theorem to show that the convex hull of \({\mathcal O}\) is the union of the orbits through the convex hull of \({\mathcal O} \cap {\mathfrak t}\).