Hilbert's 13th problem for algebraic groups (Q7007697)

The resolvent degree \(\mathrm{RD}(n)\) is the smallest integer \(d\) such that every root of the general polynomial \(f(x) = x^n + a_1x^{n-1} + \cdots + a_n\) can be obtained in a finite number of steps, starting with \(\mathbb{C}(a_1, \dots,a_n)\) and adjoining at each step algebraic functions in at most \(d\) variables. The algebraic form of Hilbert's 13th problem asks for the value of \(\mathrm{RD}(n)\). It is known that \(\mathrm{RD}(n) = 1\) for \(n \leq 5\) (the case \(n=5\) was shown by Bring in 1786). In addition, it is known that for all \(n\), \(1 \leq \mathrm{RD}(n) \leq n -\alpha(n)\), where \(\alpha(n)\) is an unbounded but very slow growing function on \(n\). However, it is not known whether \(\mathrm{RD}(n) > 1\) for any \(n \geq 6\).\N\N\textit{B. Farb} and \textit{J. Wolfson} [Enseign. Math. (2) 65, No. 3--4, 303--376 (2019; Zbl 1460.14104)] introduced the resolvent degree \(\mathrm{RD}_k(G)\) for every finite group \(G\) over an arbitrary field \(k\) of characteristic \(0\). By their definition, \(\mathrm{RD}(n) = \mathrm{RD}_{\mathbb{C}}(S_n)\) where \(S_n\) denotes the symmetric group and it is not known whether \(\mathrm{RD}_k(G)\) can be greater than \(1\) for any group \(G\).\N\NIn the current paper, the author extends the definition of \(\mathrm{RD}_k(G)\) to an arbitrary algebraic group \(G\) (not necessarily finite, affine or smooth) defined over an arbitrary field \(k\). The first main result (Theorem 1.1) says that if \(G\) is connected, then \(\mathrm{RD}_k(G) \leq 5\) and furthermore if \(G\) has no simple components of type \(E_8\), then \(\mathrm{RD}_k(G) \leq 1\). The author also conjectures that \(\mathrm{RD}_k(G) \leq 1\) for any connected algebraic group \(G\) over any field \(k\) (Conjecture 1.4). In the paper, the author also explores how \(\mathrm{RD}_k(G)\) depends on the base field \(k\) (Theorems 1.2 and 1.3). The proofs of Theorems 1.2 and 1.3 are completed in Sections 12 and 13 and the proof of Theorem 1.1 is completed in Section 16 by reducing the general case to the case of \(G\) being almost simple. A key point in one of the proofs of the second part of Theorem 1.1 is a theorem of Tits stating that if \(G\) is a simple group over \(k\) of any type other than \(E_8\), then \(G\) has no non-trivial torsors over any field \(K\) closed under taking radicals.\N\NIn the last section of the paper, the author shows how Conjecture 1.4 follows from a positive answer to a long-standing open problem, namely [\textit{J.-P. Serre}, Astérisque 227, 229--257 (Exp. No. 783) (1995; Zbl 0837.12003), Question 2].