Subgeometries of (exceptional) Lie incidence geometries induced by maximal root subsystems (Q6914385)

A maximal subgroup \(H\) of a group \(G\) of Lie type is called a maximal full rank subgroup of \(G\) by the authors if it is also a group of Lie type and has the same rank as \(G\). In case \(G\) is simple, such subgroups \(H\) are found via root subsystems of the same rank as the root system of \(G\). The authors ask how \(H\) acts on the building belonging to \(G\) and how the building that is related to \(H\) sits in the building belonging to \(G\). Since in the case of classical groups the answer is known, the authors concentrate on \(G\) being of exceptional type over an arbitrary field.\N\NTo answer their question, the long root subgeometries \(\Gamma(G)\) and other parapolar spaces related to \(G\) are considered. \(\Gamma(H)\) is naturally (and fully) embedded in \(\Gamma(G)\), and there is always, what the authors call, a companion geometry \(\Gamma^*(H)\), also embedded in \(\Gamma(G)\) as a kind of complement to \(\Gamma(H)\). The two geometries \(\Gamma(H)\) and \(\Gamma^*(H)\) are coupled in the sense that each point of one geometry is uniquely (geometrically) defined by a corresponding object in the other geometry.\N\NThe main result of the paper is a determination of the companion geometries of the maximal full rank subgroups of the Chevalley groups with associated simply laced Dynkin diagrams. As a consequence, some rather unexpected inclusions are obtained of irreducible Lie incidence geometries of the same rank. For example, the Grassmannian \(A_{8,3}(\mathbb{K})\) is a subgeometry of the long root geometry \(E_{8,8}(\mathbb{K})\), \(\mathbb{K}\) a commutative field.\N\NThe proof provides a general treatment including the classical types \(A_n\) and \(D_n\). Independently, geometric constructions of the subgeometries related to the maximal full rank subgroups in the exceptional simply laced cases are presented. Furthermore, geometric and combinatorial constructions are given for buildings of exceptional types \(F_4\) and \(G_2\). Lastly, applications to non-thick buildings are discussed.