Vector invariants for the two-dimensional modular representation of a cyclic group of prime order (Q990758)

Assume that a finite group \(G\) is represented on a vector space \(V\) over a field \(F\) and \(\{x_1,\ldots,x_n\}\) is a basis for \(V^{\ast}=\mathrm{hom}_{F}(V,F)\). Then \(G\) also acts on the symmetric algebra, \(F[V]=F[x_1,\ldots,x_n]\), of \(V^{\ast}\), by \((g\cdot f)(v)=f(g^{-1}v)\). Let us remark that if \(F\) is the prime field \(F_p\), then \(F[V]\) is not the algebra of regular functions on \(V\), because the functions \(x_1\) and \(x_1^p\) coincide on \(V\). The algebra of elements of \(F[V]\) that are left invariant by the action of \(G\) is denoted by \(F[V]^G\). The case is called modular if the characteristic of \(F\) is \(p>0\) and \(p\) divides \(|G|\). Consider the non-modular case. Then \(F[V]^G\) possesses some nice properties. For example, it is always Cohen-Macaulay. Further, \(F[V]^G\) is a polynomial algebra if and only if \(|G|\) is generated by reflections (group elements fixing a hyperplane of \(V\)). It was established by Noether for \(p=0\) and by \textit{J. Fogarty} [Electron.~Res.~Announc.~Am.~Math.~Soc. 7, 5--7 (2001; Zbl 0980.13003)], \textit{P. Fleischmann} [Adv.~Math.~156 (1), 23--32 (2000; Zbl 0973.13003)] for \(p>0\) that \(F[V]^G\) is generated by elements of degree less than or equal to \(|G|\). But in the modular case these results do not hold. There are now several references for modular invariant theory, for example, [see \textit{M. D. Neusel} and \textit{L. Smith}, Invariant theory of finite groups. Mathematical Surveys and Monographs. 94. Providence, RI: American Mathematical Society (AMS) (2002; Zbl 0999.13002); \textit{H. Derksen} and \textit{G. Kemper}, Computational invariant theory. Encyclopaedia of Mathematical Sciences. Invariant Theory and Algebraic Transformation Groups. 130(1). Berlin: Springer (2002; Zbl 1011.13003)]. In the paper under review \(G=C_p\) is the cyclic group, the characteristic of \(F\) is \(p>0\), and \(G\) acts diagonally on \(V=mV_2=V_2\oplus \cdots \oplus V_2\), where \(V_2\) stands for the 2-dimensional indecomposable representation of \(C_p\). The algebra of invariants \(F[mV_2]^{C_p}\) was first studied by \textit{D. R. Richman} [Adv. Math. 81, No. 1, 30--65 (1990; Zbl 0715.13002)]. He showed that the algebra is not generated by elements of degree less than \(m(p-1)\), thus demonstrating that the Noether bound on degrees of generators does not hold in the modular case. A set of generators was established by \textit{H.E.A. Campbell} and \textit{I. P. Hughes} [Adv.~Math. 126, 1--20 (1997; Zbl 0877.13004)]. \textit{R. J. Shank} and \textit{D. L. Wehlau} [J.~Symbolic Comput. 34 (5), 307--327 (2002; Zbl 1048.13002)] described a minimal generating set for the algebra of invariants. In the paper under review, a new proof of the result of Shank and Wehlau is given. Moreover, it is shown that the obtained generating set is also a SAGBI basis for \(F[mV_2]^{C_p}\) and a procedure for finding explicit decomposition of \(F[mV_2]\) into a direct sum of indecomposable \(C_p\)-modules is described. As an application, a generating set for the algebra of invariants \(F[mV_2]^{SL_2(F_p)}\) is obtained. Finally, it is shown that \(F[mV_2]^{SL_2(F_p)}\) is generated by elements of degree less than or equal to \((p+m-2)(p-1)\) and this upper bound is explicit.