Observable subgroups of algebraic monoids. (Q984424)

In an affine algebraic group \(G\), an algebraic subgroup \(H\) is observable if any finite-dimensional rational representation of it arises from a restriction of a finite-dimensional rational representation of \(G\). Now assume \(G\) is the unit group of an algebraic monoid \(M\) over an algebraically closed field \(k\). The authors extend the notion of observable subgroup of an affine algebraic group to that of observable subgroup of an irreducible affine algebraic monoid. The authors prove that an algebraic subgroup \(H\) of \(G\) is observable if and only if \(H\) is closed in \(M\). In such a case, there is a determinant \(\det\colon M\to k\) such that \(\det(H)=0\). As an application, they prove that when \(H\) is observable, the affinized quotient \(M/_{\text{aff}}H\) of \(M\) by \(H\) is an affine algebraic monoid with unit group \(G/H\). Continuing with [Transform. Groups 14, No. 4, 985-999 (2009; Zbl 1206.14088)], they develop further the notion of observable actions in \(M\). In particular, they investigate the situation that the action of \(H\) on \(M\) by left multiplication is observable.