Elliptic triangle groups in \(PU(2,1)\), Lagrangian triples and momentum maps (Q882483)

The article clarifies the possible eigenvalues of elliptic matrices \(A,B,C\in PU(2,1)\) satisfying \(ABC= 1\) by using the group-valued momentum map \(\widetilde\mu\). In more detail, let \(C_1\), \(C_2\) be two conjugacy classes of elliptic elements in \(PU(2,1)\). Let \(\mathbb{T}^2/\sigma_2\) be the total space of all conjugacy classes (a class is identified with an unordered pair of angles), let moreover \[ \widetilde\mu: (C_1\in C_2)\cap \mu^{-1}@>\mu>> PU(2,1)@>\pi>> \mathbb{T}^2/\sigma_2 \] be the momentum mapping (where \(\mu\) is the multiplication and \(\pi\) the natural projection). Main results: \(\widetilde\mu\) is onto if and only if \[ \vartheta_1- 2\vartheta_2+ \vartheta_3- 2\vartheta_4\geq 2\pi,\;2\vartheta_1- \vartheta_2+ 2\vartheta_3- \vartheta_4\geq 6\pi, \] where \(\{\vartheta_1,\vartheta_2\}\), \(\{\vartheta_3, \vartheta_4\}\) with \(\vartheta_1\geq \vartheta_2\) and \(\vartheta_3\geq \vartheta_4\) are angles corresponding to the classes \(C_1\), \(C_2\), respectively. In general, the image of \(\widetilde\mu\) is the union of one, two or three convex polygons in \(\mathbb{T}^2/\sigma_2\). A subtle analysis of the elliptic triangle groups (\(A\), \(B\) and \(AB\) are elliptic) especially in the Lagrangian subcase (the generators are products of two reflections) and of the Mostow lattices (with the relevant discrete groups), is given as an application of the general results.