No label defined (Q4550418)

Let \(K\) be a connected compact Lie group with Lie algebra \(\mathfrak k\) and let \(M\) be a Hamiltonian manifold with moment map \(\mu:M \rightarrow \mathfrak k^*\). Let \(\mathfrak t \subset \mathfrak k\) be a Cartan subalgebra corresponding to a maximal torus \(T\subset K\), and let \(\mathfrak t^+\subset \mathfrak t^*\) be a Weyl chamber. The goal of this paper is to introduce and study a very important notion of a convex Hamiltonian manifold. Namely, a Hamiltonian \(K\)-manifold \(M\) is said to be convex iff \(\psi^{-1}(B)\) is connected for every convex subset \(B\) of \(\mathfrak t^+\). Here \(\psi: M\rightarrow \mathfrak t^+\) is the unique map with \(K\mu(x)\cap\mathfrak t^+=\{\psi(x)\}\) for all \(x\in M\). This general concept encompasses both the case of \(M\) compact as well as the unitary case. It is useful as it rules out a pathological behaviour of \(\mu\). A well-known theorem of F. Kirwan states that if \(M\) is compact and connected then (i) \(\psi(M)\) is convex, and (ii) all fibers of \(\mu\) are connected. In the present paper it is shown that the convexity is equivalent to (i), (ii), and the condition (iii) the map \(\psi:M\rightarrow \psi(M)\) is open. Various examples of ``bad'' moment maps are given. Some consequences of the convexity are revealed.