Algebraic quotients of compact group actions (Q5952402)

The main object of the paper under review is a compact real algebraic group \(K\) acting on a real algebraic (or real analytic) variety \(X\). The author's goal is to find conditions under which the quotient \(X/K\) is again an algebraic (real analytic) variety, and to compare properties of \(X\) and \(X/K\), such as coherence and smoothness. Here is the main result: Theorem 4.1. If \(A\) and \(A'\) are real affine \(K\)-varieties such that \((1)\) \(A/K\) is algebraic; \((2)\) for all \(x\in A\), \(K_x\) is finite and no element of Ad(\(K_x\)) has eigenvalue \(-1\); \((3)\) for every \(x\in A\), the quotient \(A'/K_x\) is algebraic then \((A\times A')/K\) is algebraic. In particular, if \(A/K\) is algebraic and \(K\) acts freely on \(A\), then \((A\times A')/K\) is algebraic. The author also establishes analogues of this result for real analytic \(K\)-subvarieties of \(K\)-modules as well as for so-called \(C\)-analytic subsets of \({\mathbb R}^n\) (zero sets of a finite number of real analytic functions defined on all of \({\mathbb R}^n\)).