Reality properties of conjugacy classes in<Emphasis Type="Italic">G</Emphasis><Subscript>2</Subscript>

LetG be an algebraic group over a fieldk. We callg εG(k) real ifg is conjugate tog ⁻¹ inG(k). In this paper we study reality for groups of typeG ₂ over fields of characteristic different from 2. LetG be such a group overk. We discuss reality for both semisimple and unipotent elements. We show that a semisimple element inG(k) is real if and only if it is a product of two involutions inG(k). Every unipotent element inG(k) is a product of two involutions inG(k). We discuss reality forG ₂ over special fields and construct examples to show that reality fails for semisimple elements inG ₂ over ℚ and ℚ_p. We show that semisimple elements are real forG ₂ overk withcd(k) ≤ 1. We conclude with examples of nonreal elements inG ₂ overk finite, with characteristick not 2 or 3, which are not semisimple or unipotent.     

Mappings of group shifts

A group shift is a proper closed shift-invariant subgroup ofG ^ℤ ₂ whereG is a finite group. We consider a class of group shifts in whichG is a finite field and show that mixing is a necessary and sufficient condition on such a group shift for all codes from it into another group shift to be affine and all codes from another group shift into it to be affine. As a corollary, it will follow forG=ℤ _p that two mixing group shifts are topologically conjugate if and only if they are equal.     

Orbit equivalence and permutation groups defined by unordered relations

For a set Ω an unordered relation on Ω is a family R of subsets of Ω. If R is such a relation we let G(R)\mathcal{G}(R) be the group of all permutations on Ω that preserve R, that is g belongs to G(R)\mathcal{G}(R) if and only if x∈R implies x ^g ∈R. We are interested in permutation groups which can be represented as G=G(R)G=\mathcal{G}(R) for a suitable unordered relation R on Ω. When this is the case, we say that G is defined by the relation R, or that G is a relation group. We prove that a primitive permutation group ≠Alt(Ω) and of degree ≥11 is a relation group. The same is true for many classes of finite imprimitive groups, and we give general conditions on the size of blocks of imprimitivity, and the groups induced on such blocks, which guarantee that the group is defined by a relation.     

Finite dimensional representations and subgroup actions on homogeneous spaces

LetH be an ℝ-subgroup of a ℚ-algebraic groupG. We study the connection between the dynamics of the subgroup action ofH onG/G _ℤ and the representation-theoretic properties ofH being observable and epimorphic inG. We show that ifH is a ℚ-subgroup thenH is observable inG if and only if a certainH orbit is closed inG/G _ℤ; that ifH is epimorphic inG then the action ofH onG/G _ℤ is minimal, and that the converse holds whenH is a ℚ-subgroup ofG; and that ifH is a ℚ-subgroup ofG then the closure of the orbit underH of the identity coset image inG/G _ℤ is the orbit of the same point under the observable envelope ofH inG. Thus in subgroup actions on homogeneous spaces, closures of ‘rational orbits’ (orbits in which everything which can be defined over ℚ, is defined over ℚ) are always submanifolds.     

On s-quasinormal and c-normal subgroups of a finite group

Let F be a saturated formation containing the class of supersolvable groups and let G be a finite group. The following theorems are shown： （1） G ∈ F if and only if there is a normal subgroup H such that G/H ∈ F and every maximal subgroup of all Sylow subgroups of H is either c-normal or s-quasinormally embedded in G; （2） G ∈F if and only if there is a soluble normal subgroup H such that G/H∈F and every maximal subgroup of all Sylow subgroups of F（H）, the Fitting subgroup of H, is either e-normally or s-quasinormally embedded in G.     

Simple groups of finite morley rank and Tits buildings

Theorem A:If ℬ is an infinite Moufang polygon of finite Morley rank, then ℬ is either the projective plane, the symplectic quadrangle, or the split Cayley hexagon over some algebraically closed field. In particular, ℬ is an algebraic polygon. It follows that any infinite simple group of finite Morley rank with a spherical MoufangBN-pair of Tits rank 2 is eitherPSL ₃(K),PSp ₄(K) orG ₂(K) for some algebraically closed fieldK. Spherical irreducible buildings of Tits rank ≥ 3 are uniquely determined by their rank 2 residues (i.e. polygons). Using Theorem A we show Theorem B:If G is an infinite simple group of finite Morley rank with a spherical Moufang BN-pair of Tits rank ≥ 2, then G is (interpretably) isomorphic to a simple algebraic group over an algebraically closed field. Theorem C:Let K be an infinite field, and let G(K) denote the group of K-rational points of an isotropic adjoint absolutely simple K-algebraic group G of K-rank ≥ 2. Then G(K) has finite Morley rank if and only if the field K is algebraically closed. We also obtain a result aboutBN-pairs in splitK-algebraic groups: such aBN-pair always contains the root groups. Furthermore, we give a proof that the sets of points, lines and flags of any ℵ₁-categorical polygon have Morley degree 1. Partially sponsored by the Edmund Landau Center for Research in Mathematical Analysis, supported by the Minerva Foundation (Germany). Supported by the Minerva Foundation (Germany). Research Director at the Fund for Scientific Research-Flanders (Belgium).     

Cross-sections, quotients, and representation rings of semisimple algebraic groups

Let G be a connected semisimple algebraic group over an algebraically closed field k. In 1965 Steinberg proved that if G is simply connected, then in G there exists a closed irreducible cross-section of the set of closures of regular conjugacy classes. We prove that in arbitrary G such a cross-section exists if and only if the universal covering isogeny t:[^(G)] ? G \tau :\hat{G} \to G is bijective; this answers Grothendieck’s question cited in the epigraph. In particular, for char k = 0, the converse to Steinberg’s theorem holds. The existence of a cross-section in G implies, at least for char k = 0, that the algebra k[G] ^G of class functions on G is generated by rk G elements. We describe, for arbitrary G, a minimal generating set of k[G] ^G and that of the representation ring of G and answer two Grothendieck’s questions on constructing generating sets of k[G] ^G . We prove the existence of a rational (i.e., local) section of the quotient morphism for arbitrary G and the existence of a rational cross-section in G (for char k = 0, this has been proved earlier); this answers the other question cited in the epigraph. We also prove that the existence of a rational section is equivalent to the existence of a rational W-equivariant map T ⇢ G/T where T is a maximal torus of G and W the Weyl group.     

Affinely equivalent complete flat manifolds

Let E _Aff(Γ,G, m) be the set of affine equivalence classes of m-dimensional complete flat manifolds with a fixed fundamental group Γ and a fixed holonomy group G. Let n be the dimension of a closed flat manifold whose fundamental group is isomorphic to Γ. We describe E _Aff(Γ,G, m) in terms of equivalence classes of pairs (ε, ρ), consisting of epimorphisms of Γ onto G and representations of G in ℝ ^m-n . As an application we give some estimates of card E _Aff(Γ,G, m).     

Difference algebraic subgroups of commutative algebraic groups over finite fields

We study the question of which torsion subgroups of commutative algebraic groups over finite fields are contained in modular difference algebraic groups for some choice of a field automorphism. We show that if G is a simple commutative algebraic group over a finite field of characteristic p, ? is a prime different from p, and for some difference closed field (?, σ) the ?-primary torsion of G(?) is contained in a modular group definable in (?, σ), then it is contained in a group of the form {x∈G(?) :σ(x) =[a](x) } with a∈ℕ\p ^ℕ. We show that no such modular group can be found for many G of interest. In the cases that such equations may be found, we recover an effective version of a theorem of Boxall. Received: 28 May 1998 / Revised version: 20 December 1998     

Groups with Polycyclic-by-Finite Conjugate Classes of Subgroups

Abstract

Neumann characterized the groups in which every subgroup has finitely many conjugates only as central-by-finite groups. If 𝔛 is a class of groups, a group G is said to have 𝔛-conjugate classes of subgroups if G/Core _G (N _G (H)) ∈ 𝔛 for every subgroup H of G. In this paper, we generalize Neumann's result by showing that a group has polycyclic-by-finite classes of conjugate subgroup if and only if it is central-by-(polycyclic-by-finite).     

Stone-weierstrass theorems for group-valued functions

Constructive groups were introduced by Sternfeld in [6] as a class of metrizable groupsG for which a suitable version of the Stone-Weierstrass theorem on the group ofG-valued functionsC(X, G) remains valid. As a way of exploring the existence of such Stone-Weierstrass-type theorems in this context we address the question raised in [6] as to which groups are constructive and prove that a locally compact group with more than two elements is constructive if and only if it is either totally disconnected or homeomorphic to some vector group ℝ ⁿ . It may therefore be concluded that the Stone-Weierstrass theorem can be extended to some noncommutative Lie groups — exactly to those not containing any nontrivial compact subgroup. Research partially supported by Grant CTIDIB/2002/192 of theAgencia Valenciana de Ciencia y Tecnología, and Fundació Caixa-Castelló, grant P1 B2001-08.     

Uniquely factorizable elements and solvability of finite groups

In a finite group G every element can be factorized in such a way that there is one factor for each prime divisor p of | G |, and the order of this factor is p^α for some integer α ≧ 0. We define g ∈G to be uniquely factorizable if it has just one such factorization (whose factors must be pairwise commuting). We consider the existence of uniquely factorizable elements and its relation to the solvability of the group. We prove that G is solvable if and only if the set of all uniquely factorizable elements of G is the Fitting subgroup of G. We also prove various sufficient conditions for the non-existence of uniquely factorizable elements in non-solvable groups. Received: 9 June 2005     

Generalized frobenius groups. II

A pair (G, K) in whichG is a finite group andK a normal nontrivial proper subgroup ofG is said to be an F2-pair (a Frobenius type pair) if |C _G (x)|=|C _G/K (xK)| for allx∈G\K. A theorem of Camina asserts that in this case eitherK orG/K is ap-group or elseG is a Frobenius group with Frobenius kernelK. The structure ofG will be described here under certain assumptions on the Sylowp-subgroups ofG. This author’s research was partially supported by the Technion V.P.R. fund — E.L.J. Bishop research fund. This author’s research was partially supported by the MPI fund.     

Tits alternative for 3-manifold groups

Let M be an irreducible, orientable, closed 3-manifold with fundamental group G. We show that if the pro-p completion of G is infinite then G is either soluble-by-finite or contains a free subgroup of rank 2. Both authors are partially supported by “Bolsa de produtividade de pesquisa” from CNPq, Brazil. Received: 16 February 2006     

Base sizes for sporadic simple groups

Let G be a permutation group acting on a set Ω. A subset of Ω is a base for G if its pointwise stabilizer in G is trivial. We write b(G) for the minimal size of a base for G. We determine the precise value of b(G) for every primitive almost simple sporadic group G, with the exception of two cases involving the Baby Monster group. As a corollary, we deduce that b(G) ⩽ 7, with equality if and only if G is the Mathieu group M24 in its natural action on 24 points. This settles a conjecture of Cameron.     

On graphs related to conjugacy classes of groups

LetG be a finite group. Attach toG the following two graphs: Γ — its vertices are the non-central conjugacy classes ofG, and two vertices are connected if their sizes arenot coprime, and Γ* — its vertices are the prime divisors of sizes of conjugacy classes ofG, and two vertices are connected if they both divide the size of some conjugacy class ofG. We prove that whenever Γ* is connected then its diameter is at most 3, (this result was independently proved in [3], for solvable groups) and Γ* is disconnected if and only ifG is quasi-Frobenius with abelian kernel and complements. Using the method of that proof we give an alternative proof to Theorems in [1],[2],[6], namely that the diameter of Γ is also at most 3, whenever the graph is connected, and that Γ is disconnected if and only ifG is quasi-Frobenius with abelian kernel and complements. As a result we conclude that both Γ and Γ* have at most two connected components. In [2],[3] it is shown that the above bounds are best possible. The content of this paper corresponds to a part of the author’s Ph.D. thesis carried out at the Tel Aviv University under the supervision of Prof. Marcel Herzog.     

Homogeneous Riemannian manifolds of positive Ricci curvature

We prove that a homogeneous effective spaceM=G/H, whereG is a connected Lie group andH⊂G is a compact subgroup, admits aG-invariant Riemannian metric of positive Ricci curvature if and only if the spaceM is compact and its fundamental group π₁(M) is finite (in this case any normal metric onG/H is suitable). This is equivalent to the following conditions: the groupG is compact and the largest semisimple subgroupLG⊂G is transitive onG/H. Furthermore, ifG is nonsemisimple, then there exists aG-invariant fibration ofM over an effective homogeneous space of a compact semisimple Lie group with the torus as the fiber. Translated fromMatematicheskie Zametki, Vol. 58, No. 3, pp. 334–340, September, 1995.     

The Socle and finite dimensionality of some Banach algebras

The purpose of this note is to describe some algebraic conditions on a Banach algebra which force it to be finite dimensional. One of the main results in Theorem 2 which states that for a locally compact groupG, G is compact if there exists a measure μ in Soc(L ¹(G)) such that μ(G) ≠ 0. We also prove thatG is finite if Soc(M(G)) is closed and every nonzero left ideal inM(G) contains a minimal left ideal.     

The geodesic flow of a nonpositively curved graph manifold

We consider discrete cocompact isometric actions where X is a locally compact Hadamard space (following [B] we will refer to CAT(0) spaces — complete, simply connected length spaces with nonpositive curvature in the sense of Alexandrov — as Hadamard spaces) and G belongs to a class of groups (“admissible groups”) which includes fundamental groups of 3-dimensional graph manifolds. We identify invariants (“geometric data”) of the action which determine, and are determined by, the equivariant homeomorphism type of the action of G on the ideal boundary of X. Moreover, if are two actions with the same geometric data and is a G-equivariant quasi-isometry, then for every geodesic ray there is a geodesic ray (unique up to equivalence) so that . This work was inspired by (and answers) a question of Gromov in [Gr3, p. 136]. Submitted: May 2001.     

Polar actions on Hilbert space

An isometricH-action on a Riemannian manifoldX is calledpolar if there exists a closed submanifoldS ofX that meets everyH-orbit and always meets orbits orthogonally (S is called a section). LetG be a compact Lie group equipped with a biinvariant metric,H a closed subgroup ofG ×G, and letH act onG isometrically by (h ₁,h ₂) ·x = h ₁ xh ₂ ⁻¹ · LetP(G, H) denote the group ofH ¹-pathsg: [0, 1] →G such that (g(0),g (1)) ∈H, and letP(G, H) act on the Hilbert spaceV = H ⁰([0, 1], g) isometrically byg * u = gug ⁻¹ −g′g ⁻¹. We prove that if the action ofH onG is polar with a flat section then the action ofP(G, H) onV is polar. Principal orbits of polar actions onV are isoparametric submanifolds ofV and are infinite-dimensional generalized real or complex flag manifolds. We also note that the adjoint actions of affine Kac-Moody groups and the isotropy action corresponding to an involution of an affine Kac-Moody group are special examples ofP(G, H)-actions for suitable choice ofH andG. Work supported partially by NSF Grant DMS 8903237 and by The Max-Planck-Institut für Mathematik in Bonn.