Classification of semisimple symmetric spaces with proper SL(2, R)-actions

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Abstract: We give a complete classification of irreducible symmetric spaces for which there exist proper SL(2,R)-actions as isometries, using the criterion for proper actions by T. Kobayashi [Math. Ann. '89] and combinatorial techniques of nilpotent orbits. In particular, we classify irreducible symmetric spaces that admit surface groups as discontinuous groups, combining this with Benoist's theorem [Ann. Math. '96].


The motivation behind this paper is to address a problem introduced in [\textit{T. Kobayashi}, ``Discontinuous groups for non-Riemannian homogeneous spaces, in: Mathematics unlimited -- 2001 and beyond. Berlin: Springer. 723--747 (2001; Zbl 1023.53031)] namely ``Fix a simply connected symmetric space \(\tilde{M}\) as a model space. What discrete groups can arise as the fundamental groups of complete affine manifolds \(M\) which are locally isomorphic to the space \(\tilde{M}\)? which can rephrased as ``Fix a symmetric pair \((G,H)\). What discrete groups does \(G/H\) admit as discontinuous groups?NEWLINENEWLINE It is known that if there exists a Lie group homorphism \(\Phi: \mathrm{SL}(2,{\mathbb R}) \mapsto G\) such that \(\mathrm{SL}(2,{\mathbb R})\) acts on \(G/H\) properly via \(\Phi\) then the space \(G/H\) admits an infinite discontinuous group. The author sets out to prove the converse when \(G/H\) is a semisimple symmetric space.NEWLINENEWLINEIndeed, he proves two main results. In the first one, for a connected linear semisimple Lie group \(G\), he provides four criteria (expanded to nine later in the text) that are equivalent for a symmetric pair \((G,H)\) to possess a Lie group homomorphism \(\Phi: \mathrm{SL}(2,{\mathbb R}) \mapsto G\) such that \(\mathrm{SL}(2,{\mathbb R})\) acts on \(G/H\) properly via \(\Phi\). In the second main result, he provides a complete list of pairs \((\mathfrak g,\mathfrak h)\) such that these equivalent conditions hold.NEWLINENEWLINEThe criterion found in [\textit{Y. Benoist}, Ann. Math. (2) 144, No. 2, 315--347 (1996; Zbl 0868.22013)] and the one found in the paper by Kobayashi cited above play an important role in the proofs.NEWLINENEWLINEThe mains results of this paper were announced in [\textit{T. Okuda}, Proc. Japan Acad., Ser. A 87, No. 3, 35--39 (2011; Zbl 1221.22020)] with sketches of proofs.




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