Complete reducibility of subgroups of reductive algebraic groups over nonperfect fields III

Let G be a reductive group over a nonperfect field k. We study rationality problems for Serre’s notion of complete reducibility of subgroups of G. In our previous work, we constructed examples of subgroups H of G that are G-completely reducible but not G-completely reducible over k (and vice versa). In this article, we give a theoretical underpinning of those constructions. Then using Geometric Invariant Theory, we obtain a new result on the structure of G(k)-(and G-) orbits in an arbitrary affine G-variety. We discuss several related problems to complement the main results.     

Complete reducibility,Külshammer’s question,conjugacy classes: A D4 example

Let k be a nonperfect separably closed field. Let G be a connected reductive algebraic group defined over k. We study rationality problems for Serre’s notion of complete reducibility of subgroups of G. In particular, we present a new example of subgroup H of G of type D₄ in characteristic 2 such that H is G-completely reducible but not G-completely reducible over k (or vice versa). This is new: all known such examples are for G of exceptional type. We also find a new counterexample for Külshammer’s question on representations of finite groups for G of type D₄. A problem concerning the number of conjugacy classes is also considered. The notion of nonseparable subgroups plays a crucial role in all our constructions.     

A geometric approach to complete reducibility

Let G be a connected reductive linear algebraic group. We use geometric methods to investigate G-completely reducible subgroups of G, giving new criteria for G-complete reducibility. We show that a subgroup of G is G-completely reducible if and only if it is strongly reductive in G; this allows us to use ideas of R.W. Richardson and Hilbert–Mumford–Kempf from geometric invariant theory. We deduce that a normal subgroup of a G-completely reducible subgroup of G is again G-completely reducible, thereby providing an affirmative answer to a question posed by J.-P. Serre, and conversely we prove that the normalizer of a G-completely reducible subgroup of G is again G-completely reducible. Some rationality questions and applications to the spherical building of G are considered. Many of our results extend to the case of non-connected G. Mathematics Subject Classification (2000) 20G15, 14L24, 20E42     

Reduction of structure for torsors over semilocal rings

Let G be a reductive affine group scheme defined over a semilocal ring k. Assume that either G is semisimple or k is normal and noetherian. We show that G has a finite k-subgroup S such that the natural map H ¹(R, S) → H ¹(R, G) is surjective for every semilocal ring R containing k. In other words, G-torsors over Spec(R) admit reduction of structure to S. We also show that the natural map H ¹(X, S) → H ¹(X, G) is surjective in several other contexts, under suitable assumptions on the base ring k, the scheme X/k and the group scheme G/k. These results have already been used to study loop algebras and essential dimension of connected algebraic groups in prime characteristic. Additional applications are presented at the end of this paper. V. Chernousov was partially supported by the Canada Research Chairs Program and an NSERC research grant. Z. Reichstein was partially supported by NSERC Discovery and Accelerator Supplement grants.     

Krull–Schmidt reduction of principal bundles in arbitrary characteristic

Let M be an irreducible projective variety defined over an algebraically closed field k, and let E_G be a principal G-bundle over M, where G is a connected reductive linear algebraic group defined over k. We show that for E_G there is a naturally associated conjugacy class of Levi subgroups of G. Given a Levi subgroup H in this conjugacy class, the principal G-bundle E_G admits a reduction of structure group to H. Furthermore, this reduction is unique up to an automorphism of E_G.     

Reducible subgroups of exceptional algebraic groups

Let G be a simple algebraic group over an algebraically closed field. A closed subgroup H of G is called G-completely reducible (G-cr) if, whenever H is contained in a parabolic subgroup P of G, it is contained in a Levi factor of P. In this paper we complete the classification of connected G-cr subgroups when G has exceptional type, by determining the $L_0$-irreducible connected reductive subgroups for each simple classical factor $L_0$ of a Levi subgroup of G. As an illustration, we determine all reducible, G-cr semisimple subgroups when G has type $F_4$ and various properties thereof. This work complements results of Lawther, Liebeck, Seitz and Testerman, and is vital in classifying non-G-cr reductive subgroups, a project being undertaken by the authors elsewhere.     

On Weakly ℋ-embedded Subgroups of Finite Groups

Let G be a finite group and H a subgroup of G. We say that H is an ?-subgroup in G if N_G(H) ∩ H^g ≤ H for all g ∈ G; H is called weakly ?-subgroup in G if G has a normal subgroup K such that G = HK and H ∩ K is an ?-subgroup in G. We say that H is weakly ? -embedded in G if G has a normal subgroup K such that H^G = HK and H ∩ K is an ?-subgroup in G. In this paper, we investigate the structure of the finite group G under the assumption that some subgroups of prime power order are weakly ?-embedded in G. Our results improve and generalize several recent results in the literature.     

On G-Covering Subgroup Systems for Some Saturated Formations of Finite Groups

Let ? be a class of groups and G a finite group. We call a set Σ of subgroups of G a G-covering subgroup system for ? if G ∈ ? whenever Σ ? ?. For a non-identity subgroup H of G, we put Σ _H be some set of subgroups of G which contains at least one supplement in G of each maximal subgroup of H. Let p ≠ q be primes dividing |G|, P, and Q be non-identity a p-subgroup and a q-subgroup of G, respectively. We prove that Σ _P and Σ _P  ∪ Σ _Q are G-covering subgroup systems for many classes of finite groups.     

On the admissibility of finite groups over global fields of finite characteristic

Let k be a global field of characteristic p. A finite group G is called k-admissible if there exists a division algebra finite dimensional and central over k which is a crossed product for G. Let G be a finite group with normal Sylow p-subgroup P. If the factor group G/P is k-admissible, then G is k-admissible. A necessary condition is given for a group to be k-admissible: if a finite group G is k-admissible, then every Sylow l-subgroup of G for l ≠ p is metacyclic with some additional restriction. Then it is proved that a metacyclic group G generated by x and y is k-admissible if some relation between x and y is satisfied.     

On p-nilpotency of finite groups with some subgroups π-quasinormally embedded

Summary A subgroup H of a group G is said to be π-quasinormal in G if it permutes with every Sylow subgroup of G, and H is said to be π-quasinormally embedded in G if for each prime dividing the order of H, a Sylow p-subgroup of H is also a Sylow p-subgroup of some π-quasinormal subgroups of G. We characterize p-nilpotentcy of finite groups with the assumption that some maximal subgroups, 2-maximal subgroups, minimal subgroups and 2-minimal subgroups are π-quasinormally embedded, respectively.     

On two classes of finite supersoluble groups

Let ? be a complete set of Sylow subgroups of a finite group G, that is, a set composed of a Sylow p-subgroup of G for each p dividing the order of G. A subgroup H of G is called ?-S-semipermutable if H permutes with every Sylow p-subgroup of G in ? for all p?π(H); H is said to be ?-S-seminormal if it is normalized by every Sylow p-subgroup of G in ? for all p?π(H). The main aim of this paper is to characterize the ?-MS-groups, or groups G in which the maximal subgroups of every Sylow subgroup in ? are ?-S-semipermutable in G and the ?-MSN-groups, or groups in which the maximal subgroups of every Sylow subgroup in ? are ?-S-seminormal in G.     

Deformation of proper actions on reductive homogeneous spaces

Let G be a real reductive Lie group and H a closed reductive subgroup of G. We investigate the deformation of standard compact quotients of G/H, that is, of quotients of G/H by discrete groups Γ that are uniform lattices in some closed reductive subgroup L of G acting properly and cocompactly on G/H. For L of real rank 1, we prove that after a small deformation in G, such a group Γ keeps acting properly discontinuously and cocompactly on G/H. More generally, we prove that the properness of the action of any convex cocompact subgroup of L on G/H is preserved under small deformations, and we extend this result to reductive homogeneous spaces G/H over any local field. As an application, we obtain compact quotients of SO(2n, 2)/U(n, 1) by Zariski-dense discrete subgroups of SO(2n, 2) acting properly discontinuously.     

Optimal Subgroups and Applications to Nilpotent Elements

Let G be a reductive group acting on an affine variety X, let x ∈ X be a point whose G-orbit is not closed, and let S be a G-stable closed subvariety of X which meets the closure of the G-orbit of x but does not contain x. In this paper we study G. R. Kempf’s optimal class Ω _G (x; S) of cocharacters of G attached to the point x; in particular, we consider how this optimality transfers to subgroups of G. Suppose K is a G-completely reducible subgroup of G which fixes x, and let H = C _G (K)⁰. Our main result says that the H-orbit of x is also not closed, and the optimal class Ω _H (x; S) for H simply consists of the cocharacters in Ω _G (x; S) which evaluate in H. We apply this result in the case that G acts on its Lie algebra via the adjoint representation to obtain some new information about cocharacters associated with nilpotent elements in good characteristic.     

On Weakly ℋ-Subgroups of Finite Groups

Let G be a finite group. A subgroup H of G is called an ?-subgroup in G if N _G (H) ∩ H ^x  ≤ H for all x ∈ G. A subgroup H of G is called weakly ?-subgroup in G if there exists a normal subgroup K of G such that G = HK and H ∩ K is an ?-subgroup in G. In this article, we investigate the structure of the finite group G under the assumption that all maximal subgroups of every Sylow subgroup of some normal subgroup of G are weakly ?-subgroups in G. Some recent results are extended and generalized.     

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 the Loewy length of the center of a block with elementary abelian defect groups

Let G be a finite group and k an algebraically closed field of characteristic p. In this paper we investigate the Loewy structure of centers of indecomposable group algebras kG, for groups G with a normal elementary abelian Sylow p-subgroup. Furthermore, we show a reduction result for the case that a normal abelian Sylow p-subgroup is acted upon by a subgroup of its automorphism group; this is fundamental in providing generic formulae for the Loewy lengths considered.     

A New Criterion for Finite Noncyclic Groups

Let H be a subgroup of a group G. We say that H satisfies the power condition with respect to G, or H is a power subgroup of G, if there exists a non-negative integer m such that H = G ^m  = 〈 g ^m |g ? G 〉. In this note, the following theorem is proved: Let G be a group and k the number of nonpower subgroups of G. Then (1) k = 0 if and only if G is a cyclic group (theorem of F. Szász); (2) 0 < k < ∞ if and only if G is a finite noncyclic group; (3) k = ∞ if and only if G is a infinte noncyclic group. Thus we get a new criterion for the finite noncyclic groups.     

Finite Groups with Some S-quasinormally Embedded Subgroups

Suppose that G is a finite group and H is a subgroup of G. H is said to be S-quasinormal in G if it permutes with every Sylow subgroup of G; H is said to be S-quasinormally embedded in G if for each prime p dividing |H|, a Sylow p-subgroup of H is also a Sylow p-subgroup of some S-quasinormal subgroup of G. We investigate the influence of S-quasinormally embedded subgroups on the structure of finite groups. Some recent results are generalized.     

The wedderburn-malcev theorem for comodule algebras

Let H be a Hopf algebra over a field k. Under some assumptions on H we state and prove a generalization of the Wedderburn-Malcev theorem for i7-comodule algebras. We show that our version of this theorem holds for a large enough class of Hopf algebras, such as coordinate rings of completely reducible affine algebraic groups, finite dimensional Hopf algebras over fields of characteristic 0 and group algebras. Some dual results are also included.     

Poincaré families of <Emphasis Type="Italic">G</Emphasis>-bundles on a curve

Let G be a reductive group over an algebraically closed field k. Consider the moduli space of stable principal G-bundles on a smooth projective curve C over k. We give necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of Poincaré bundles over open subsets of this moduli space, and compute the orders of the corresponding obstruction classes. This generalizes the previous results of Newstead, Ramanan and Balaji–Biswas–Nagaraj–Newstead to all reductive groups, to all topological types of bundles, and also to all characteristics.