Observable actions of algebraic groups (Q848903)

Let \(G\) be an affine algebraic group acting on an affine algebraic variety \(X\), all taken over an algebraically closed field \(k\). This action is called observable if for any \(G\)-stable proper closed subset \(Y\) in \(X\) there is a nonzero \(G\)-invariant regular function \(f\) on \(X\) such that \(f|_Y=0\). The authors prove that, for irreducible \(X\), the action is observable if and only if (1) it is stable (i.e., there is a nonempty open subset of \(X\) consisting of closed orbits); and (2) the field of \(G\)-invariant rational functions on \(X\) is equal to the quotient field of the algebra of \(G\)-invariant regular functions on \(X\). For a reductive \(G\), this implies the existence of a unique maximal \(G\)-stable closed subset \(X_{\text{soc}}\) in \(X\) such that the natural action of \(G\) on \(X_{\text{soc}}\) is observable.