Alg grp

Lectures on Algebraic Groups
Dipendra Prasad
Notes by Shripad M. Garge
1. Basic Affine Algebraic Geometry
We begin these lectures with a review of affine algebraic geometry.
Let k be an algebraically closed field. An Affine algebraic variety over k is
a subset X ⊆ An
:= kn
of the form
X = x ∈ An
: fi(x) = 0 for certain f1, . . . , fr ∈ k[x1, . . . , xn] .
Thus, an affine algebraic variety is the set of common zeros of certain poly-
nomial equations. The coordinate ring of an affine variety X, denoted by k[X],
is the ring of polynomial functions on X; it is given by
k[X] :=
k[x1, . . . , xn]
(f1, . . . , fr)
,
where for an ideal I, we define
√
I = g ∈ k[x1, . . . , xn] : gm
∈ I for some m ≥ 0 .
The notions of subvariety and a finite product of varieties make sense and
are defined in the most natural way.
If X ⊆ An
, and Y ⊆ Am
are affine algebraic varieties, then by a polynomial
map from X to Y , we mean a mapping from X to Y which is the restriction to
X of a mapping from An
to Am
given by
(x1, . . . , xn) −→ φ1(x1, . . . , xn), . . . , φm(x1, . . . , xn)
1

with φi ∈ k[x1, . . . , xn].
The map X −→ k[X] defines a natural contravariant transformation. Clearly
a polynomial map f : X −→ Y gives rise to a map from f∗
: k[Y ] −→ k[X]
defined by, f∗
(φ) = φ ◦ f.
X
f
//
f∗(φ)
@
@
@
@
@
@
@
@ Y
φ

k
It is obvious that such a function on X is given by a polynomial function.
Theorem. There exists a functorial correspondence between affine algebraic
varieties and finitely generated k-algebras without nilpotents. This correspon-
dence is contravariant.
One defines a topology on an affine algebraic variety X by taking closed sets
of X to be zeros of polynomials. It is called as the Zariski topology on X.
If X1 ⊆ X and X2 ⊆ X are closed subsets then X1 ∩ X2 and X1 ∪ X2 are
closed. Indeed, if X1, X2 are given by {fα}, {gβ} respectively, then X1 ∩X2 and
X1 ∪ X2 are given by {fα, gβ} and {fαgβ} respectively.
One important difference between the Zariski topology and the usual metric
topology is that the Zariski topology is not Hausdorff. This can be seen already
for X = A1
. Here the closed sets are precisely all subsets of finite cardinality
besides the whole set X. Thus non-empty open sets are complements of finite
sets. Therefore any two non-empty open sets intersect, and hence the space A1
is not Hausdorff with the Zariski topology.
Proposition. Let X be an algebraic variety.
(i) Any family of closed subsets of X contains a minimal one.
(ii) If X1 ⊃ X2 ⊃ . . . is a descending sequence of closed subsets of X, then
there exists k such that Xi = Xk for all i ≥ k.
Proof. The proof follows as the polynomial algebra k[x1, . . . , xn] is Noetherian.
.
2

The property (i) in the above proposition states that an algebraic variety is
Noetherian with the Zariski topology. Note that the two properties in the above
proposition are equivalent!
An irreducible algebraic variety is the one in which any two non-empty open
sets intersect. Example: A1
is irreducible.
An algebraic variety is irreducible if and only if any non-empty open set is
dense in it. A subvariety is irreducible if it is irreducible in the induced topology.
Following statements are easy to prove.
Lemma.
(i) A subvariety Y of an algebraic variety X is irreducible if and only if Y
is irreducible.
(ii) If φ : X −→ Z is a morphism and X is irreducible, then so is φ(X).
(iii) If X1, X2 are irreducible varieties, then so is X1 × X2.
Note that an irreducible algebraic variety is always connected but the converse
is not true. Example: Take X = {(x, y) ∈ A2
: xy = 0}. Here the open sets,
viz., Y1 = {(x, 0) ∈ X : x = 0} and Y2 = {(0, y) ∈ X : y = 0} do not
intersect each other. And X = {(x, 0)} ∪ {(0, y)}, where both the sets {(x, 0)}
and {(0, y)} are connected (being homeomorphic to A1
) and they intersect each
other, hence the union is connected.
The geometric intuition behind the irreducible variety is that a general va-
riety is a finite union of “components” where a component means a maximal
irreducible subset.
Irreducible varieties correspond to minimal elements in the primary decom-
position of the ideal (0) in the coordinate ring k[X]. A variety X is irreducible
if and only if the corresponding coordinate ring k[X] is an integral domain.
Let X be an irreducible variety. Let k(X) denote the field of fractions of the
integral domain k[X]. This is the field of meromorphic functions on the variety
X. We define dimension of the irreducible variety X to be the transcendence
degree of k(X) over k. Dimension also equals the length of maximal chain of
irreducible subvarieties.
Examples:
3

(i) A1
: {0} ⊂ A1
, dim(A1
) = 1;
(i) A2
: {0} ⊂ A1
⊂ A2
, dim(A2
) = 2.
For a general variety X, the dimension is maximal of dimensions of its irre-
ducible components.
Lemma. Let X, Y be irreducible varieties of dimensions m, n respectively,
then dim X × Y = m + n.
Proof. This is clear since k[X × Y ] = k[X] ⊗ k[Y ]. .
Lemma. Let X be an irreducible variety and let Y be a proper subvariety of
X. Then dim Y dim X.
Proof. Let k[X] = k[x1, . . . , xr] and k[Y ] = k[X]/P, where P is a non-
zero prime ideal. Let yi be the image of xi in k[Y ]. Let dim X = m and
dim Y = n. We can assume that y1, . . . , yn are algebraically independent. Then
clearly x1, . . . , xn are algebraically independent, hence m ≤ n. Assume that
m = n. Let f be a nonzero element of P. Then there is a nontrivial relation
g(f, x1, . . . , xn) where g(t0, . . . , tn) ∈ k[t0, . . . , tn].Since f = 0, we can assume
that t0 does not divide all monomials of g, hence h(t1, . . . , tn) := g(0, t1, . . . , tn)
is nonzero, but then h(y1, . . . , yn) = 0 contradicting the algebraic independence
of yi. This completes the proof. .
A locally closed set is an open subset of a closed set. Example: A∗
→ A2
as the subset {(x, 0) : x ∈ A∗
}, is locally closed.
A constructible set is a finite union of locally closed sets. Example: A2
−
A∗
→ A2
is constructible but not locally closed.
Theorem. (Chevalley). If f : X −→ Y is a morphism of algebraic
varieties, then f(X) is constructible.
Example: Let f : A2
−→ A2
be the morphism given by f(x, y) = (x, xy). Then
f(A2
) = A2
− A∗
.
We shall also need the notion of projective varieties. These are the varieties
that are defined by homogeneous polynomials. These varieties can be seen as
closed subsets of Pn
for some n, hence the name projective.
2. Affine Algebraic Groups
An affine algebraic group G is an affine algebraic variety as well as a group
4

such that the maps m : G × G −→ G and i : G −→ G, given by m(x, y) =
xy, i(x) = x−1
, are morphisms of algebraic varieties.
Examples of affine algebraic groups:
(i) Any finite group can be made into an algebraic group. To make G into an
algebraic group, we have to give a finitely generated k-algebra k[G]. We
take k[G] as the algebra of functions on G.
(ii) The groups GLn, SLn, Sp2n, SOn, On, Un, etc. are some of the standard
examples of affine algebraic groups.
For the group GLn, the structure of an affine algebraic group is given by,
GLn =
X 0
0 xn+1
: det X · xn+1 = 1 .
The multiplication m : GLn×GLn −→ GLn is a polynomial map, (X)ij · (Y )ij −→
(Z)ij. To say that the map m is polynomial is equivalent to say that coordinates
of Z depend on those of X and Y polynomially.
As a special case, for n = 1, GL1 = Gm = k∗
and the coordinate ring is
k[GL1] = k[x][x−1
].
Lemma. A closed subgroup of an algebraic group is an algebraic group.
Proof. Clear from the definitions.
Remark. A locally closed subgroup is closed. In fact every open subgroup is
closed. (Hint: Coset decomposition)
This remark is not true in the case of topological groups. Example: A line
with irrational slope in R2
, gives an embedding of R into R2
/Z2
as an everywhere
dense subgroup of the torus R2
/Z2
.
Lemma. Let φ : G1 −→ G2 be a homomorphism of algebraic groups then
φ(G1) is a closed subgroup of G2.
Proof. From Chevalley’s theorem, φ(G1) is constructible. We can assume
without loss of generality, that φ(G1) is dense in G2.
Since φ(G1) is constructible, it contains an open subset of G2, hence φ(G1)
is open in G2. And then by previous remark φ(G1) = G2. This completes the
proof.
Lemma. A connected algebraic group is irreducible.
5

Proof. One needs to prove that there is a unique irreducible component of
G passing through {e}, the identity of the group G. Let X1, . . . , Xm be all
irreducible components of G passing through {e}.
Look at the mapping φ : X1 × · · · × Xm −→ G, given by multiplication.
Since Xi are irreducible, so is their product and also the image of the product in
G under the map φ. Clearly the image contains identity and therefore the image
of the map φ is contained in an irreducible component of G, say X1. Since all
Xi contain identity, this implies that all Xi are contained in a fixed X1.
Lemma. The irreducible component of G passing through {e} is a closed
normal subgroup of G of finite index.
Proof. We denote the irreducible component of G passing through {e} by G◦
.
Being closed is a general property of irreducible algebraic varieties, hence G◦
is
closed in G. To prove that G◦
is a subgroup of G, we must show that whenever
x, y ∈ G◦
, xy−1
∈ G◦
. Clearly x−1
G◦
is also irreducible and e ∈ x−1
G◦
∩ G◦
,
thus x−1
G◦
= G◦
, i.e., x−1
y ∈ G◦
∀ x, y ∈ G◦
. Similarly one can prove that
G◦
is normal.
An algebraic variety has finitely many irreducible components, hence G◦
is of
finite index in G. This completes the proof.
Lemma. For an algebraic group G, any closed subgroup of finite index con-
tains G◦
.
Proof. Let H be a subgroup of G of finite index. Then H◦
is closed and hence
open in G◦
(being a subgroup of finite index), hence H◦
= G◦
.
Remark. If n is odd, then there is no real difference between SO(n) and O(n)
as O(n) = {±1} × SO(n).
0 −→ SO(n) −→ O(n) −→ Z/2 −→ 1
0 −→ (Z/2)n−1
−→ W(SO(2n)) −→ Sn −→ 1
0 −→ (Z/2)n
−→ W(SO(2n + 1)) −→ Sn −→ 1
3. Group Actions on Algebraic Varieties
Let G be an algebraic group, and X an algebraic variety. A group action
of G on X is a morphism of algebraic varieties φ : G × X −→ X such that
φ(g1, φ(g2, x)) = φ(g1g2, x) and φ(e, x) = x, ∀ g1, g2 ∈ G, x ∈ X.
6

An algebraic variety X is called homogeneous if G operates transitively on
X. Isotropy subgroups, orbits are defined in the natural way.
Lemma. Isotropy subgroups are closed. Orbits are open in their closure.
Proof. The map φ : G × X −→ X gives rise to a map φ1 : G −→ X × X
defined by, g
φ1
−→ (x0, gx0) for a fixed x0 ∈ X. Then the isotropy subgroup
of x0, viz. Gx0 is the inverse image of (x0, x0) under the map φ1 and hence is
closed.
G operates on X, Gx0 ⊆ X. In fact, Gx0 ⊆ Gx0 ⊆ X. The set Gx0 is
constructible, i.e., contains an open subset U of Gx0, and Gx0 is union of the
cosets gU, g ∈ Gx0, therefore Gx0 is open in Gx0.
Lemma. For any group action φ : G × X −→ X, there is always a closed
orbit in X.
Proof. It suffices to prove the lemma under the condition that G is irreducible
because if Z is a closed orbit under the action of G◦
, then G · Z is a finite union
of closed sets, and hence is closed, and Z being an orbit of G◦
, G · Z is an orbit
of G. So, we now assume that G is irreducible.
Choose an orbit whose closure has smallest dimension, say Gx0. Write Gx0 =
Gx0 ∪ Y . As Gx0 is G invariant, so is Gx0 and hence Y is also G invariant,
then dim Y dim Gx0 and Y is closed. Contradiction!
Some standard contexts for group action:
(i) G acts on itself via left and right translations, and this gives rise to an
action of G × G on G, given by, (g1, g2) · g = g1gg−1
2 . This is a transitive
action, the isotropy subgroup of identity being ∆G → G.
(ii) If V is a representation of G, then this gives an action of G on V , and one
may classify orbits on V under this action.
Exercise 1. The group G = GLn operates on V = Cn
in the natural way.
Classify orbits of G action on Sym2
(V ) and ∧2
(V ) induced by this natural action.
Answer. Action of GLn on Sym2
(V ) is essentially X −→ gXt
g. Number of
orbits in V is 2, in Sym2
(V ) it is n + 1 and in ∧2
(V ) it is n+1
2
.
Our main aim in this section is to prove that any affine algebraic group is
linear, i.e., it is a closed subgroup of GLn for some n. The proof depends on
7

group actions on algebraic varieties. We will be dealing exclusively with affine
algebraic varieties. The coordinate ring of an affine algebraic group G is denoted
by k[G], which is same as the space of regular functions on G.
Note that k[G×X] ∼= k[G]⊗k[X], i.e., polynomial functions on the product
space G × X are a finite linear combination of functions of the form p(g)q(x)
where p is a polynomial function on G and q is a polynomial function on X.
This crucial property about polynomials goes wrong for almost any other kind of
functions.
Exercise 2. Show that cos(xy) cannot be written as a finite linear combination
of functions in x and y alone.
Answer. If cos(xy) were a finite sum:
cos(xy) = fi(x)gi(y),
it follows by specialising the y value, that cos(ax) is a linear combination of
finitely many functions fi(x) for all a, i.e., the space of functions cos(ax) gen-
erates a finite dimensional vector space. But this is false, as for any n, given
distinct a1, . . . , an ≥ 0, cos(aix) are linearly independent (Hint: Van der monde
determinant).
Proposition. If X is an affine algebraic variety on which G operates, then
any finite dimensional space of functions on X is contained in a finite di-
mensional space of functions which is invariant under G.
Proof. It suffices to prove that the translates of a single function is finite
dimensional.
Consider φ : G × X −→ X. This map gives rise to a ring homomorphism
φ∗
: k[X] −→ k[G × X] = k[G] ⊗ k[X], given by, f
φ∗
−→ i φi ⊗ fi,
i.e., f(gx) = i φi(g)fi(x),
i.e., fg
= i φi(g)fi and hence fg
∈ span of fi ∀ g ∈ G.
Proposition. If X is affine algebraic variety on which G acts, then a sub-
space F of k[X] is G-invariant if and only if φ∗
(F) ⊆ k[G] ⊗ F, where φ∗
is
as in previous proposition.
Proof. If φ∗
(F) ⊆ k[G] ⊗ F, then there are functions φi on k[G] such that
fg
(x) = i φi(g)fi(x) for fi ∈ F. So, fg
∈ F, i.e., F is G-invariant.
8

To prove the converse, suppose F is G-invariant and let {fr} be a basis
of F. We extend this basis to a basis of k[X] by adjoining say {gs}. Let
f ∈ F. Then, φ∗
(f) ∈ k[G] ⊗ k[X]. This implies that φ∗
(f) = r ar ⊗
fr + s bs ⊗ gs, for certain polynomial functions {ar}, {bs} on G. Therefore
f(gx) = r ar(g)fr(x) + s bs(g)gs(x). But since F is G-invariant, all bs are
identically zero and hence φ∗
(F) ⊆ k[G] ⊗ F.
Theorem. Any affine algebraic group is linear, i.e., it is isomorphic to a
closed subgroup of GLn for some n.
Proof. The coordinate ring of G, k[G] is a finitely generated k-algebra, i.e.,
there exist functions f1, . . . , fr which generate k[G] as an algebra over k. By
proposition, one can assume that the subspace generated by fi’s is G-invariant
(G acts by left translation).
Thus, fi(gx) = mij(g)fj(x) ∀ x ∈ G, i.e., fg
i = mij(g)fj
As φ∗
(F) ⊆ k[G] ⊗ F, so mij can be assumed to be algebraic functions on
G. This gives rise to a map ψ : G −→ GLn(k), given by g −→ (mij(g)), which
is a homomorphism of algebraic groups. We will show that this identifies G as a
closed subgroup of GLn. Since the image of an arbitrary map of algebraic groups
is closed, the image of G, call it H, is a closed subgroup of GLn.
We will prove that the surjective mapping ψ : G −→ H is an isomorphism
of algebraic groups. For this, it suffices to prove that the induced map on the
coordinate rings ψ∗
: k[H] −→ k[G] is a surjection. But this follows since fi are
in the image of k[H].
This completes the proof.
Remark. Note that a bijective map need not be an isomorphism of algebraic
varieties, as the example x −→ xp
on A1
in characteristic p shows. As another
example, consider the map from A1
to A2
given by x −→ (x2
, x3
). This gives a
set-theoretic isomorphism of A1
into the subvariety {X3
= Y 2
} ⊆ A2
, but it is
not an isomorphism of algebraic varieties. (Why?)
A morphism f : X −→ Y is called dominant if f(X) is dense in Y ; Example:
the map f : A2
−→ A2
defined by, (g1, g2) −→ (g1, g1g2).
It can be seen that f is dominant if and only if f∗
: k[Y ] −→ k[X] is injective.
It can be seen that f is an isomorphism if and only if f∗
is so.
Exercise 3. Classify continuous functions f : R −→ C such that the span of
9

translates of f is finite dimensional.
Answer. It is easy to see that the functions f on R such that the span of
translates of f is finite dimensional is an algebra, i.e., the set of such functions
is closed under addition and multiplication. Any polynomial has this property
and so do the functions eλx
. We shall prove that polynomials and exponential
functions generate the space of such functions as an algebra.
Let f be a continuous complex valued function on R, and let V be the finite
dimensional space spanned by the translates of f. If {f1, . . . , fn} is a basis of
V , then
φ(t)(fi)(x) = fi(t + x) = gij(t)fj(x) ∀ t, x.
Then t −→ gij(t) is a matrix coefficient of the finite dimensional representation
V of R.
Putting x = 0, we get
fi(t) = gij(t)fj(0).
So fi are sum of matrix coefficients. Thus, it suffices to understand matrix
coefficients of finite dimensional representations. So, we come upon a question,
that of classifying finite dimensional continuous representations of R.
Claim. Any finite dimensional representation of R is of the form t −→ etA
for
some matrix A ∈ Mn(C).
If the representation was analytic, then this follows from Lie algebra methods.
However any continuous representation is analytic. We also give another way to
characterise finite dimensional representations of R
We write g(t) = log(f(t)) in a neighbourhood of 0. Then, g is a map from R
to Mn(C) such that t1 +t2 −→ g(t1)+g(t2). As any continuous homomorphism
from R to itself is a scalar multiplication, g(t) = tA for some matrix A. Then
f(t) = exp(tA) in a neighbourhood of identity and a neighbourhood of identity
generates all of R, so the claim is proved.
Then by canonical form of A,
etA
= etλi
exp(tNi)
and exp(tNi) is a polynomial in t, as Ni are nilpotent. This answers the question.
4. Some Generalities about Closures in the Zariski Topology.
10

Given A ⊆ X, where X is an algebraic variety, one can define A to be the
smallest closed algebraic subvariety of X containing A, i.e.,
A = {Y : A ⊆ Y, Y is closed in X}.
In particular, if G an algebraic group and H is an abstract subgroup of G, one
can talk about H which is a closed subvariety of G.
Lemma. If H is an abstract subgroup of G, then H is a closed algebraic
subgroup of G.
Proof. We need to prove H · H ⊆ H and H
−1
⊆ H.
Clearly, H ⊆ h−1
· H for any h ∈ H and h−1
· H is also closed in G.
Hence, H ⊂ h−1
· H
⇒ h · H ⊆ H ∀ h ∈ H
⇒ H · H ⊆ H
⇒ H · h ⊂ H ∀ h ∈ H
⇒ H · h ⊂ H ∀ h ∈ H
⇒ H · H ⊂ H.
Similarly by noting that x −→ x−1
is a homeomorphism of G, one can prove
that H is closed under inversion. Thus H is a closed subgroup of the algebraic
group G.
This group H is called the algebraic hull of H.
Proposition. If G ⊆ GLn(C) is a subgroup such that for some e ≥ 1,
xe
= 1 ∀ x ∈ G, then G is finite.
Proof. If G is not finite, look at G, an algebraic subgroup of GLn(C), for
which xe
= 1 continues to hold good. There exists a subgroup of G of finite
index, G◦
, such that G◦
is connected. For a connected algebraic subgroup G◦
,
G◦
(C) is a Lie group of positive dimension, and then xe
can not be identically
1. Contradiction!
Let H ⊆ GLn(C). Thinking of GLn(C) as an algebraic group defined over
Q, one can talk about closure of H as a subgroup of GLn in the Zariski topology
over C or the one over Q. We have
H = {Y : H ⊆ Y, Y is closed}.
11

If we take only those Y , which are defined over Q, we get the closure of H over
Q, which we denote by H
Q
. Clearly H
Q
⊇ H.
Example: Since e is transcendental over Q, the only polynomial f ∈ Q[x] with
f(e) = 0 is the zero polynomial. Hence eQ
= C.
Exercise 4. Let G be an algebraic group. Then g is Abelian. However, if
G = SLn(C), there are elements whose Zariski closure in Q-topology is SLn(C),
so non-Abelian.
Answer.
Mumford-Tate group.
For a smooth Abelian variety X, H1
(X) with coefficients in Q, admits a
decomposition over C, called as Hodge decomposition as,
H1
(X) ⊗Q C = H0,1
⊕ H1,0
.
One defines a subgroup of GL(H1
) which is Zariski closure in the Q-topology
of the subgroup 











z
...
z
z
...
z









: z ∈ C∗



.
This subgroup is called as the Mumford-Tate group associated to X.
Examples:
(i) If X is a CM elliptic curve, then MT(X) = k∗
.
(ii) If X is a non-CM elliptic curve, then MT(X) = GL2.
(iii) If X is a Klein curve, then MT(X) = k∗
× k∗
× k∗
.
Tannaka’s Theorem. A closed subgroup of SO(n, R) (in the Euclidean
topology of R) is the set of real points of an algebraic group defined over R.
Proof. Let G be a closed subgroup of SO(n, R). Any polynomial over C can
be written as f = f1 + if2 where fi are polynomials defined over R, then
f(z) = 0 if and only if f1(z) = 0 and f2(z) = 0.
12

for z ∈ SO(n, R), therefore G
C
= G
R
.
We want to prove that G = G(R). G is a closed subgroup of G(R) which is
a closed subgroup of GLn(R).
Suppose G G(R). Let g belong to G(R) but not to G. Since g ∈ G(R),
every polynomial vanishing on G also vanishes on g. If we can show the existence
of a polynomial vanishing on G but not on g, we will be done.
Look at disjoint closed sets G and gG in G(R). By Urysohn’s lemma, there
exists a continuous function f on G(R) which is 0 on G and 1 on gG. Observe
that the coordinate functions {mij(g)} are continuous functions on G, and hence
by Stone-Weierstrass theorem, the algebra generated by mij is dense in C(G(R)).
Therefore, there exists a polynomial in mij, say p(mij), which approximates f
very closely on G(R).
But this polynomial need not be identically zero on G which is what we want
to achieve. To this end, we deﬁne
F(g) =
G
p(mij)(gh)dh.
Since F is a right G-invariant function, it is constant on G and on gG. Thus
F = 1 on G and F = 2 on gG, where we can assume that 1 is very close to 0,
and 2 is very close to 1. Then by suitable translation, F is 0 on G and nonzero
at g. So, the only remaining thing to prove is that F is a polynomial again in
mij.
We note the property of matrix coeﬃcients that
mij(gh) =
k
mik(g) · mkj(h).
Therefore for any polynomial p in the n2
-variables mij, we have
p(mij)(gh) =
P,Q
P(mij)(g)Q(mij)(h)
where P and Q are certain polynomials in mij.
Exercise 5. If V is a faithful representation of a compact group G, then any
irreducible representation W is contained in V ⊗r
⊗ V ∗⊗s
.
13

Answer. Assume the contrary, then
gW
fV
= 0
for all matrix coefficients gW
of W and fV
of V ⊗r
⊗V ∗⊗s
. The C-sum of matrix
coefficients of V ⊗r
⊗ V ∗⊗s
forms a subalgebra of functions on G. So
gW
f = 0
for all gW
and all f in this subalgebra. But by Stone-Weierstrass theorem, this
subalgebra is dense on G. Contradiction!
Corollary.
(i) If V is any faithful representation, then the algebra generated by the
matrix coefficients of V is independent of V .
(ii) (Coro. of Exer. 3 and Exer. 5) The space of functions f in C[G] which
span a finite dimensional space under left (right) translations is pre-
cisely the algebra of matrix coefficients of finite dimensional represen-
tations.
For a compact group G → SO(n, R), we discussed about algebraic closure
of G, viz. Galg
in R-Zariski topology such that Galg
(R) = G. Galg
is called the
complexification of G, in the sense that Lie(G) ⊗ C = Lie(Galg
)(C).
The above statement need not be true for non-compact groups. Torus creates
some problems. The torus R∗
× R∗
has few algebraic characters, but many
topological characters.
Peter-Weyl Theorem.
(i) Any compact Lie group has a faithful representation.
(ii) L2
(G) ∼= V V ⊗V ∗
as G×G module, where V runs over all irreducible
representations of G.
5. Lie Algebras associated to Algebraic Groups.
Let k be a ring, A a commutative k-algebra and M an A-module. A deriva-
tion d of A with values in M is a map d : A −→ M, such that
14

d(a + b) = d(a) + d(b) ∀ a, b ∈ A
d(ab) = ad(b) + bd(a) ∀ a, b ∈ A
d(λa) = λd(a) ∀ λ ∈ k, a ∈ A.
(Observe that d(r) = 0 ∀ r ∈ k.) The space of derivations of A with values
in an A-module M is naturally an A-module. If M = A, then a derivation of A
with values in M is called a derivation on A.
Examples:
(i) A = k[x] = M, then any derivative is of the form d(g) = f(x) d
dx
(g),
for some f ∈ k[x]. Hence, the space of derivations is free of rank 1 over
A = k[x].
(ii) A = k[x1, . . . , xn] = M, the derivations ∂
∂xi
form a free basis of the space
of derivations over A.
Exercise 6. Justify above statement.
Answer. Let d be a derivation. Define d(xi) = fi. Now, we have two deriva-
tions d1 = fi
∂
∂xi
and d, but they are same on generators, viz., xi, so they are
same on the full algebra k[x1, . . . , xn].
Corollary. The space of derivations on A = k[x1, . . . , xn] is a free A-module
of rank equal to the dimension of A over k.
Let OX,x be the ring of germs of functions at a point x ∈ X, where X is
either a manifold or an algebraic variety over a field k.
In algebraic geometry, OX,x is the space of rational functions f
g
, where f
and g are polynomial functions defined in a neighbourhood of the point x and
g(x) = 0, whereas in topology OX,x is the space of C∞
functions defined in a
neighbourhood of x.
A = OX,x, M = k = OX,x/mx, where mx := ker{f −→ f(x)}. A derivation
in this case is called a tangent vector at x ∈ X.
Let T : OX,x −→ k be a derivation, i.e., T has the property that T(fg) =
f(x)T(g) + g(x)T(f). Then T(1) = T(1) + T(1). Therefore T(1) = 0. Also
T : mx −→ k factors through mx
2
, so it induces a map : mx/mx
2
−→ k. We
will prove that the tangent vectors at x ∈ X can be canonically identified to
(mx/mx
2
)
∗
. The space of tangent vectors at x ∈ X is denoted by TX,x.
15

Note that mx/mx
2
is a finite dimensional k-vector space (follows from Noetherian-
ness and Nakayama’s lemma). We have the inequality
dim mx/mx
2
≥ dim X ∀ x ∈ X.
When equality holds, we say x is a smooth point.
In characteristic 0, the set of singular points is a proper closed subvariety. In
any characteristic, the Jacobian criterion is satisfied.
Jacobian Criterion. If f(x1, . . . , xn) = 0 the is equation of a variety, then
x is smooth if and only if there exists i such that ∂f
∂xi
= 0 at x.
A derivation d = fi
∂
∂xi
is visualised as associating vectors (f1(x), . . . , fn(x))
to any point x.
Lemma.
(i) TX,x
∼= Homk (mx/mx
2
, k).
(ii) When k = R, for any point x on an n-dimensional R-manifold X,
mx/mx
2
is an n-dimensional R-vector space.
Proof. (i) Observe that d(mx
2
) = 0, as d(fg) = f(x)dg + g(x)df and
f, g ∈ mx therefore f(x) = g(x) = 0. So d factors through mx
2
, hence
d ∈ Homk (mx/mx
2
, k).
Conversely, we need to prove that a k-linear map T : mx/mx
2
−→ k gives
rise to a derivation.
We define d(f) = T(f − f(x)). Clearly d is linear. Now, d(fg) = T(fg −
fg(x)) and fdg +gdf = fT(g −g(x))+gT(f −f(x)). Hence to prove d(fg) =
f(x)dg + g(x)df, we need to prove
T(fg − f(x)g(x) − f(x)g + f(x)g(x) − g(x)f + f(x)g(x)) = 0.
This follows as
fg − f(x)g − g(x)f + f(x)g(x) = f − f(x) g − g(x) ∈ mx
2
.
For (ii), we have dim (mx/mx
2
) ≥ n as ∂
∂xi
are linearly independent over R.
To prove other inequality we use following fact.
16

Any f ∈ C∞
(Rn
) can be written locally around the origin as
f = f(0) + fiXi + gijXiXj
where fi are constants and gij ∈ C∞
(Rn
).
Thus TX,x, the space of derivations on OX,x, is an n-dimensional vector space,
called the tangent space to X at x. A typical element of TX,x looks like fi
∂
∂xi
,
where fi are some constants.
A map, x −→ vx ∈ TX,x, varying smoothly, is called a vector field, i.e., if we
write vx = fi(x) ∂
∂xi
, then fi are smooth functions.
One can also define smoothness of a vector field V by saying that V (f) is a
smooth function for all f smooth.
Given vector fields V1 and V2, one defines another vector field [V1, V2] =
V1V2 − V2V1. More precisely
[V1, V2](f) = V1,x(V2f) − V2,x(V1f).
This can be checked to be a vector field, called the Lie bracket. This defines a
Lie algebra structure on the set of vector fields on a manifold.
Functorial Properties of tangent spaces. If f : X −→ Y is a morphism,
then we have a map df : TX,x −→ TY,f(x) given by, df(v)(φ) = v(φ ◦ f).
Caution: One cannot use df to push vector fields from X to Y as there might
be several points in X with the same image in Y .
If V1 is a vector field on X and V2 on Y , then V2 is f-related to V1 if, for all
x ∈ X, (df)x : TX,x −→ TY,f(x) sends V1,x to V2,f(x).
In particular, if G is a group which operates on a manifold X in a differentiable
way, it makes sense to talk about vector fields on X, invariant under G.
Examples:
(i) On R, any vector field d looks like f(x) d
dx
. The group R acts on itself by
translations and only vector field invariant under addition is λ d
dx
for λ a
constant.
(ii) On R∗
, x d
dx
is the only invariant vector field upto scalar multiple.
17

(iii) Consider the group GLn(R) ⊆ Mn(R). A vector field on GLn(R) looks
like aij(X) ∂
∂Xij
. Any left-invariant vector field corresponds to a matrix
(bij) ∈ Mn(R), and the invariant vector field is i,j,k bikXkj
∂
∂Xji
.
Exercise 7. Justify above sentence. (Hint: Change of variables)
Proposition. If 0 ∈ X ⊆ kn
, where X is defined by polynomial equations
fi(x1, . . . , xn) = 0, then the tangent space to X at 0 is defined by degree 1
part of fi.
Proof. As 0 ∈ X, fi(0, . . . , 0) = 0. We write fi(x1, . . . , xn) = bλxλ + . . . .
We have already noted that TX,x
∼= (mx/mx
2
)
∗
. We note that if X is a closed
subvariety of An
, then the ring of polynomial functions on X, i.e., k[X] is a
quotient of k[x1, . . . , xn], hence derivations of k[X] at any point of X can be
identified to a subspace of the space { ∂
∂x1
, . . . , ∂
∂xn
}. Hence
m0
m2
0
∼=
x1, . . . , xn
I+ x1, . . . , xn 2
.
Examples: 1. The curve X2
= Y 3
at (0, 0) has 2-dimensional tangent space
at (0, 0) as there is no linear term. Similarly the tangent space to the curve
X2
= Y 2
is 2-dimensional.
2. X = Y 4
+ Z7
has 2-dimensional tangent space given by ∂
∂Y
, ∂
∂Z
.
One can calculate Lie algebra associated to algebraic groups by using above
proposition.
O(n) = {A ∈ GLn : t
AA = I} ⊆ Mn.
We propose to calculate the tangent space at I. We replace A by I + X. Then
we have t
(I + X)(I + X) = I, i.e., t
X + X + t
XX = 0. And then the linear
terms t
X + X = 0 define the tangent space at I.
Another way to look at derivations:
Lemma.
(i) The ring homomorphisms φ : A −→ A[ ]
( 2)
with φ(a) = a + φ1(a) are in
bijective correspondence with the set of derivations on A.
(ii) Let X be a variety and A = k[X]. A ring homomorphism φ : A −→ k[ ]
( 2)
when composed with the natural map from k[ ]
( 2)
to k = k[ ]
( )
defines a
18

point on the variety X. The set of ring homomorphisms from A to k[ ]
( 2)
written as φ(a) = φ0(a) + φ1(a) is in bijective correspondence with the
tangent space associated to the point x ∈ X defined by φ0.
Proof. (i) If d : A −→ A is a derivation on A, then one can check that the
map φ : A −→ A[ ]
2 given by, a −→ a + d(a) defines a ring homomorphism.
Conversely, if φ(a) = a + φ1(a) is one such ring homomorphism, then φ1 is a
derivation on A.
(ii) Here we note that the map k[X]
φ
−→ k[ ]
( 2)
−→ k[ ]
( )
= k is precisely the
evaluation at a point x ∈ X. This is precisely the way a point on a variety is
defined. Then rest follows as above.
Proposition. Suppose there exists a morphism φ : G × X −→ X of affine
algebraic varieties. Then there exists a map ψ from Te(G) to the set of vector
fields on X. If A is an automorphism of X which commutes with the action
of G, i.e., g(Ax) = A(gx), then ψ(v) is an invariant vector field on X.
Moreover there exists a map from Te(G) ⊕ Tx(X) to Tx(X).
Proof. We have φ : G × X −→ X. This gives rise to a map on the level of
coordinate rings, φ∗
: k[X] −→ k[G] ⊗ k[X]. Let v ∈ Te(G). By second part in
the previous lemma, we get a ring homomorphism φv : k[G] −→ k[ ]
( 2)
. The ring
homomorphism φ∗
when composed with φv, gives rise to a vector field on X as
shown in the commutative diagram below. We define it to be ψ(v). Thus we
get a map ψ from Te(G) to the set of vector fields on X.
k[X]
φ∗
//
ψ(v)
''PPPPPPPPPPPPP k[G] ⊗ k[X]
φv

k[ ]
( 2)
⊗ k[X] = k[X][ ]
( 2)
.
Now, if A be an automorphism of X which commutes with the G-action,
then we have following commutative diagram:
G × X
φ
−−−→ X
Id×A




A
G × X
φ
−−−→ X
19

This gives us another commutative diagram:
k[X]
φ∗
−−−→ k[G] ⊗ k[X]
φv
−−−→ k[X][ ]
( 2)
A∗

 Id⊗A∗




B∗
k[X]
φ∗
−−−→ k[G] ⊗ k[X]
φv
−−−→ k[X][ ]
( 2)
,
where B∗
is the natural extension of A∗
to k[X][ ]
( 2)
. Thus we get a vector field,
which commutes with every G-invariant automorphism of X. Now, consider
X = G and consider the left action of G on itself, then to every tangent vector
at e to G, we get a vector field on G which is right invariant. Similarly Te(G)
could be identified to left invariant vector fields. The vector field Xv associated
to a vector v ∈ Te(G) has Xv(e) = v.
Now, we want to give a map from Te(G) ⊕ Tx(X) −→ Tx(X). For a
v ∈ Te(G), we have a vector field ψ(v) : k[X] −→ k[X][ 1]
( 2
1)
. Consider the map
given by
k[G] ⊗ k[X] −−−→ k[ 1]
( 2
1)
⊗ k[ 2]
( 2
2)
φλ,µ
−−−→ k[ ]
( 2)
where the ring homomorphisms φλ,µ are parametrised by the maps 1 → λ
and 2 → µ . So, we have
k[X] //
))TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT k[G] ⊗ k[X] // k[ 1]
( 2
1)
⊗ k[ 2]
( 2
2)
1 →
2 →

k[ ]
2
Corollary. The space Te(G) is isomorphic to the space of left G-invariant
vector fields on G.
Thus Te(G) acquires a Lie algebra structure.
Theorem. (Lie algebra of a Lie group). If G is a Lie group, then the set
of left invariant vector fields forms a finite dimensional vector space g which
is closed under Lie brackets; and is called the Lie algebra associated to the
Lie group G. Moreover, dim g = dim G.
20

Proof. Follows from previous proposition and its corollary.
6. More about Algebraic Groups.
In the next two sections, we shall sketch an outline of the theory of affine
algebraic groups. We shall avoid proving theorems. Our emphasis will be on
exposition. We mainly follow Springer’s book for the exposition. We also list
some open questions in this area.
We have already noted that an affine algebraic group is a closed subgroup of
GLn for some n. We also know that every matrix g ∈ GLn admits a decomposi-
tion, called as Jordan decomposition, as g = gsgu, where gs is semi-simple (i.e.,
gs is diagonalisable over k) and gu is unipotent (i.e., every eigenvalue of gu is 1).
Moreover gsgu = gugs. If g ∈ G → GLn, then gs, gu ∈ G. This decomposition
is called as the Jordan decomposition in the algebraic group G. More generally,
if φ : G −→ G is a homomorphism of algebraic groups then φ(g)s = φ(gs) and
φ(g)u = φ(gu). An element g ∈ G is said to be unipotent if g = gu.
A unipotent algebraic group is the one in which every element is unipotent.
Example: The simplest unipotent group is Ga, given by
Ga =
1 x
0 1
: x ∈ k .
Theorem. Unipotent algebraic groups are precisely the closed subgroups of
upper unitriangular group Un, (upto conjugacy), for some n.
A consequence of the above theorem is that for a representation of a unipotent
algebraic group G in GLn, there is a non-zero vector in kn
fixed by all of G. And
using this fact, we get the following
Proposition. Let X be an affine variety admitting an action of a unipotent
algebraic group G, then all orbits of G in X are closed.
Classification of unipotent algebraic groups is not well understood. The
unipotent algebraic groups can vary in continuous families, i.e., there exists U(s)
unipotent algebraic group parametrised by a complex number s such that for
s1 = s2, U(s1) ∼= U(s2).
A solvable (resp. nilpotent) algebraic group is an algebraic group which is
solvable (resp. nilpotent) as an abstract group. If H and K are subgroups of an
algebraic group G, [H, K] denotes the closed subgroup of G generated by the
set {xyx−1
y−1
: x ∈ H, y ∈ K}.
21

A unipotent group is a closed subgroup of Un, and hence is solvable (in fact,
it is nilpotent). More precisely, for a unipotent group U, we define U1
= U and
Ui
= [U, Ui−1
]. Then Ui
/Ui+1
is an Abelian group, isomorphic to G
d(i)
a for some
integer d(i).
Question. Is the set of unipotent groups, with given integers d(i), a con-
nected family? Is it an algebraic variety?
Examples in Riemann surfaces suggest that this family is not an algebraic
variety, but a quotient of a variety. More concretely, one could ask following
Question. Classify integers d(i) such that this family is positive dimensional.
The theory of unipotent algebraic groups is also closely connected with clas-
sification of p-groups which is yet an unsolved (unsolvable?) problem.
The subgroup Un(Fp) of GLn(Fp) consisting of all upper triangular unipotent
matrices is a Sylow-p subgroup of GLn(Fp). Therefore, just like unipotent alge-
braic groups, every p-subgroup of GLn(Fp) is also a subgroup of upper triangular
unipotent matrices, upto conjugacy.
Exercise 8. Prove that for n p, there exists a bijective correspondence
between subgroups of Un(Fp) and connected algebraic subgroups of Un defined
over Fp.
(Hint: Associating a Lie algebra to an abstract unipotent group.)
Question. H∗
(Un(Fp), Fp) is an algebra over Fp. Construct this algebra out
of information coming from H∗
(un, C), where un is the Lie algebra of upper
triangular unipotent matrices.
Theorem. (Lie-Kolchin). A connected solvable algebraic group is a sub-
group of upper triangular matrices (upto conjugacy).
Corollary. If G is a connected solvable algebraic group, then [G, G] is nilpo-
tent.
Proposition. Let G be a connected nilpotent algebraic group.
(i) The sets Gs, Gu of semi-simple and unipotent elements (resp.) are
closed, connected subgroups of G and Gs is a central torus of G.
(ii) The product map Gs ×Gu −→ G is an isomorphism of algebraic groups.
22

Proposition. For a connected solvable group G, the commutator subgroup
[G, G] is a closed, connected, unipotent, normal subgroup. The set Gu of
unipotent elements is a closed, connected, nilpotent, normal subgroup of G.
The quotient group G/Gu is a torus.
In other words, for a solvable group G, there exists an exact sequence
0 −→ Gu −→ G −→ Gr
m −→ 1.
In fact, this sequence is split, and the reason is the Jordan decomposition!
Another important class of algebraic groups is that of commutative algebraic
groups. A commutative algebraic group is solvable, so all above results of solvable
groups hold for connected commutative groups as well.
Lemma. A connected linear algebraic group G of dimension one is commu-
tative and it is isomorphic to Ga or Gm.
A linear algebraic group G is said to be diagonalisable if it is a closed subgroup
of Dn, the group of diagonal matrices in GLn, for some n.
Lemma. An algebraic group G is diagonalisable if and only if any represen-
tation of G is a direct sum of one dimensional representations.
Theorem. Let G be a diagonalisable group. Then
(i) G is a direct product of a torus and a finite Abelian group of order
prime to p, where p is the characteristic of k;
(ii) G is a torus if and only if it is connected.
Rigidity of diagonalisable groups. Let G and H be diagonalisable groups
and let V be a connected affine variety. Let φ : V × G −→ H be a morphism
such that for any v ∈ V , the map x −→ φ(v, x) defines a homomorphism of
algebraic groups G −→ H. Then φ(v, x) is independent of v.
For a subgroup H of an algebraic group G, we define the centraliser and
normaliser of H in G as,
ZG(H) := {g ∈ G : ghg−1
= h ∀ h ∈ H};
NG(H) := {g ∈ G : ghg−1
∈ H ∀ h ∈ H}.
23

Corollary. If H is a diagonalisable subgroup of G, then NG(H)◦
= ZG(H)◦
and NG(H)/ZG(H) is finite.
A subgroup P → G is called parabolic subgroup if G/P is a projective variety.
Proposition.
(i) If H is a parabolic subgroup of G and K is a closed subgroup, then
H ∩ K is a parabolic subgroup of K.
(ii) If H is a parabolic subgroup of K and K is a parabolic subgroup of G,
then H is a parabolic subgroup of G.
(iii) Any closed subgroup of G containing a parabolic subgroup is itself parabolic.
(iv) H is a parabolic subgroup of G if and only if H◦
is parabolic in G◦
.
Borel’s fixed point theorem. If G is a connected solvable group operating
on a projective variety X, then G has a fixed point.
Proof. We prove this result by using induction on dim G. If dim G = 0,
G = (e). Now let dim G 0, then H = [G, G] is a closed, connected subgroup
of smaller dimension. Hence by induction hypothesis, the set of fixed points of H
in X, say Y , is non-empty and closed in X, thus Y itself is a projective variety.
Since H is normal in G, Y is stable under the G-action. We know that for a
group action, closed orbits always exist. Let y ∈ Y such that the orbit Gy is
closed in Y . Look at the isotropy subgroup Gy of y in G. Then Gy is closed
subgroup of G and as H ⊆ Gy, Gy is also normal in G. Hence G/Gy is an affine
variety. But then G/Gy = Gy, which is projective. Therefore, Gy must be a
point, a fixed point of the G-action.
A Borel subgroup of G is a maximal connected solvable subgroup of G.
Example: If G = GLn, then the subgroup of upper triangular matrices is a Borel
subgroup.
A maximal flag in kn
is a strictly increasing sequence of subspaces of kn
,
{0} V1 · · · Vn = kn
. Borel subgroups in GLn correspond bijectively
to the set of maximal flags in kn
. The group GLn operates transitively on the
set of maximal flags and isotropy subgroup of the standard flag, {0} {e1}
{e1, e2} · · · {e1, . . . , en} is the Borel subgroup described above, i.e., the
subgroup of GLn consisting of all upper triangular matrices.
24

Theorem.
(i) All Borel subgroups are conjugates.
(ii) Every Borel subgroup of G is a parabolic subgroup.
(iii) A subgroup of G is parabolic if and only if it contains a Borel subgroup.
(iv) Every element of G lies in a Borel subgroup. In other words, union of
Borel subgroups cover whole of G.
Proposition. Let B be a Borel subgroup of an algebraic group G. Then,
(i) N(B) = B.
(ii) Z(B) = Z(G).
(iii) Any subgroup of G which contains a Borel is always connected.
7. Structure Theory of Reductive Groups.
Here k is a ﬁeld, not necessarily algebraically closed.
The unipotent radical of an algebraic group G is the maximal normal unipo-
tent subgroup of G.
Such a subgroup always exists. If U1, U2 are two normal unipotent subgroups
of G, then it can be easily checked that U1 · U2 is again a normal unipotent
subgroup. Then by dimension argument, one must get a maximal subgroup
of G with these properties. The unipotent radical of G is denoted by Ru(G).
Example: If G is the subgroup of GL2 consisting of all upper triangular matrices,
then Ru(G) is precisely the subgroup of matrices with diagonal entries both equal
to 1.
The radical of a group G is the maximal connected normal solvable subgroup
of G and it is denoted by R(G). One can prove existence of such a subgroup by
similar reasoning as above. Also, Ru(G) = R(G)u. Example: If G = GLn, then
R(G) is the subgroup of scalar matrices.
An algebraic group G → GLn is called reductive if Ru(G) is trivial. Example:
GLn.
An algebraic group G is called simple if it is non-Abelian and has no connected
normal subgroup other than G and (e). Example: SLn.
25

An algebraic group G is called semi-simple if it is an almost product of simple
groups, i.e., G = G1 · · · Gn, Gi ∩Gj ⊆ Z(G) for i = j, and all Gi commute with
each other. Equivalently, an algebraic group G is called semi-simple if R(G) is
trivial. Clearly, every simple algebraic group is semi-simple and every semi-simple
algebraic group is reductive.
Theorem. Any reductive group is upto a center, an almost product of simple
groups.
Theorem. If k = k, then there exists bijective correspondence between simple
groups over k and compact simple groups over R.
This bijection is achieved via the root systems.
We recall that a torus is a diagonalisable commutative group. A torus T → G
is called a maximal torus if it is of maximum possible dimension. Example: The
subgroup of diagonal matrices in GLn is a maximal torus in GLn.
Theorem. Any two maximal tori of an algebraic group are conjugates over
k.
In particular, dimension of a maximal torus in G is a fixed number. We define
it to be the rank of the group G.
For a maximal torus T → G, we define Weyl group of G with respect to T
as N(T)/T. It is independent of the maximal torus if k = k, in that case we
simply denote it by W. Example: The rank of GLn is n.
Bruhat Decomposition. Let G be a reductive group, then for a fixed Borel
subgroup B,
G =
w∈W
BwB.
There is the notion of a BN-pair, where N = N(T), for T ⊆ B, a maximal
torus. These notions were developed by Tits, based on Chevalley’s work, to prove
that G(k) is abstractly simple group when G is simple.
Theorem. Let G be a simple algebraic group defined over k. Suppose that
G is split, i.e., G contains a maximal torus which is isomorphic to Gd
m over
k, where d is the rank of G. Then except for a few exceptions G(k)/Z is a
simple abstract group.
The exceptions are G = SL2(F2) and SL2(F3).
26

There is a notion of quasi-split groups. These are the groups that contain a
Borel subgroup defined over k.
Theorem. (Lang). Any reductive algebraic group over a finite field is
quasi-split.
Steinberg proved analogue of Chevalley’s theorem for quasi-split groups.
The group SO(p, q) is quasi-split if and only if |p − q| ≤ 2.
The group U(p, q) is quasi-split if and only if |p − q| ≤ 1.
Kneser-Tits Conjecture. Let G be a simply connected algebraic group.
If there exists a map from Gm to G (i.e., G is isotropic), then G(k)/Z is
simple.
Platonov proved that this conjecture is false in general, but true over global
and local fields.
An algebraic group is called as anisotropic if it does not contain any subgroup
isomorphic to Ga or Gm. Example: SO(2n, R), another example is SL1(D), the
group of norm 1 elements in a division algebra D.
Question. Which SL1(D) are simple?
Platonov-Margulis Conjecture. Over a number field k, SL1(D) is simple
if and only if D ⊗ kv is never a division algebra for a non-Archimedean
valuation v of k.
The question of classifying algebraic groups over general fields forms a part
of Galois cohomology. This is known only for number fields or their completions.
Theorem. Let k be either a number field or its completion. The tori over k
of dimension n are in bijective correspondence with isomorphism classes of
Gal(k/k)-modules, free over Z of rank n.
Example: The tori over R are the following
T ∼= (S1
)r1
× (C∗
)r2
× (R∗
)r3
.
This amounts to classifying matrices of order 2 in GLn(Z).
{e −→ e} ←→ R∗
{e −→ −e} ←→ S1
27

e1 −→ e2
e2 −→ e1
←→ C∗
Any invariant in GLn(Z) is a direct sum of these.
Rationality question. The question is whether k[G] is unirational/rational
for an algebraic group G, i.e., whether k[G] is a purely transcendental exten-
sion of k or contained inside one such.
The answer for above question is yes for groups of type Bn, Cn, Dn.
Cayley Transform: Let G = SO(n) = {t
AA = I}. Let X be a skew symmetric
matrix, i.e., t
A + A = 0. If no eigenvalue of such an X is 1, then I − X is
invertible, and it can be checked that (I +X)(I −X)−1
belongs to SO(n). This
gives a birational map from the Lie algebra of SO(n) to SO(n), proving the
rationality of SO(n).
8. Galois Cohomology of Classical Groups
Let G be a group, and A another group on which G acts via group automor-
phisms: g(ab) = g(a)g(b). Define,
AG
= {a ∈ A|g · a = a ∀g ∈ G} = H0
(G, A).
If A is commutative, then Hi
(G, A) are defined for all i ≥ 0, and these are
abelian groups.
If A is non-commutative, then ‘usually’ only H1
(G, A) is defined, and it is a
pointed set:
H1
(G, A) =
{φ : G → A|φ(g1g2) = φ(g1) · g1φ(g2)}
{φ ∼ φa where φa(g) = a−1φ(g)g(a)}
.
If
0 → A → B → C → 0,
is an exact sequence of groups, then there exists a long exact sequence:
0 → H0
(G, A) → H0
(G, B) → H0
(G, C)
→ H1
(G, A) → H1
(G, B) → H1
(G, C)
This is a long exact sequence of pointed sets: inverse image of the base point
= image of the previous map.
28

If
0 → A → B → C → 0,
is an exact sequence of abelian groups, then
0 → H0
(G, A) → H0
(G, B) → H0
(G, C)
→ H1
(G, A) → H1
(G, B) → H1
(G, C)
is a long exact sequence of abelian groups.
Let E be an algebraic group over a field k, for instance the groups like
Gm, Ga, GLn,
SOn, Sp2n, µn, Z/n. Then it makes sense to talk of E(K) for K any field
extension of k, or in fact any algebra containing k.
If A is a commutative algebraic group over k, one can talk about Hi
(Gal(K/k), A(K))
for all finite Galois extensions K of k, whereas if A is noncommutative, we
can talk only about the set H1
(Gal(K/k), A(K)).
Define
Hi
(k, A) = LimKHi
(Gal(K/k), A(K)),
direct limit taken over all finite Galois extensions K of k.
The group/set Hi
(k, A) is called the i-th Galois cohomology of A over k.
Example :
1. Hi
(k, Ga) = 0 for all i ≥ 1. This is a consequence of the normal basis
theorem.
2. H1
(k, Gm) = 0. This is the so-called Hilbert’s theorem 90.
3. H1
(k, GLn) = 0.
4. H2
(k, Gm) is isomorphic to the Brauer group of k defined using central
simple algebras.
5. H1
(k, O(q)) is in bijective correspondence wth the isomorphism classes
of quadratic spaces over k.
6. H1
(k, SO(q)) is in bijective correspondence wth the isomorphism classes
of quadratic spaces over k with a given discriminant.
7. H1
(k, Sp2n) = 1.
29

Example (Kummer sequence): Deﬁne µn = {x ∈ ¯k∗
|xn
= 1}. This is a
Galois module which sits in the following exact sequence of Galois modules:
1 → µn → ¯k∗
→ ¯k∗
→ 1.
The associated Galois cohomology sequence:
1 → µn(k) → k∗ n
→ k∗
→ H1
(Gal, µn) → H1
(Gal, ¯k∗
) = 1.
Thus H1
(k, µn) ∼= k∗
/k∗n
.
Similarly it can be deduced that H2
(k, µn) is isomorphic to the n torsion
in the Brauer group of k.
Example (Spin group) To any (non-degenerate) quadratic form q over
k, we have the special orthogonal group SO(q), and also a certain 2-fold
covering of SO(q), called the Spin group associated to the quadratic form q.
We have the following exact sequence of algebraic groups:
1 → Z/2 → Spin(q) → SO(q) → 1.
The associated Galois cohomology exact sequence is:
1 → Z/2 → Spin(q)(k) → SO(q)(k) → k∗
/k∗2
→ H1
(k, Spin(q)) → H1
(k, SO(q)) → H2
(k, Z/2).
The mapping SO(q)(k) → k∗
/k∗2
is called the reduced norm mapping.
The mapping H1
(k, SO(q)) → H2
(k, Z/2) = Br2(k) corresponds to send-
ing a quadratic form qx to w2(qx)−w2(q) where w2 is the Hasse-Witt invariant
of a quadratic form.
The basic theorem which is the reason for the enormous usefulness of
Galois cohomology is the following.
Theorem 1 1. The set H1
(Gal(K/k), Aut(G)(K)) is in bijective corre-
spondence with the set of isomorphism classes of “forms” of G over k,
i.e., sets of isomorphism classes of groups E over k such that G ∼= E
over K.
30

2. (Weil Descent) More generally, for any algebraic variety X over k, the
set
H1
(Gal(K/k), (Aut(X))(K)) is in bijective correspondence with the set
of isomorphism classes of “forms” of X over k, i.e., sets of isomor-
phism classes of varieties Y over k such that X ∼= Y over K.
3. Let V be a vector space over k. Let φ1, φ2, · · · , φr be certain tensors in
V ⊗a
⊗ V ∗⊗b
. Let G be the subgroup of the automorphism group of V
fixing the tensors φi. Then H1
(Gal(K/k), G(K)) is in bijective corre-
spondence with the set of isomorphism classes of tensors ψ1, · · · , ψr in
V ⊗a
⊗ V ∗⊗b
such that there exists g ∈ Aut(V )(K) such that gφi = ψi.
Examples :
1. The set H1
(k, O(q)) is in bijective correspondence with the set of quadratic
forms over k.
2. H1
(k, Spn) = (1).
3. By the Skolem-Noether theorem, the automorphism group of the al-
gebra Mn(k) is PGLn(k). Hence, H1
(Gal(K/k), PGLn(K)) is the set
of isomorphism classes of central simple algebras of dimension n2
over
k. Define BrK
k = Ker{Brk → BrK} obtained by sending A to A ⊗ K.
From the exact sequence,
1 → Gm → GLn → PGLn → 1,
it follows that there is an injection of H1
(Gal(K/k), PGLn(K)) into
H2
(Gal(K/k), K∗
). The two maps defined here can be combined to
produce a map from BrK
k to H2
(Gal(K/k), K∗
) which can be proved
to be an isomorphism.
4. The set of conjugacy classes of maximal tori in a reductive group G with
a maximal torus T, normaliser N(T), is H1
(k, N(T)). This implies that
the tori in a split reductive algebraic group over a finite field k are in
bijective correspondence with the conjugacy classes in the Weyl group:
H1
(k, T) = 0 → H1
(k, N(T)) →
H1
(k, W) → H2
(k, T) = 0.
31

Theorem 2 (Hasse-Minkowski theorem)
1. A quadratic form over Q represents a zero if and only if it represents
a zero in Qp for all p, and also in R.
2. Two quadratic forms over Q are equivalent if and only if they are equiv-
alent at all the places of Q.
We can interpret the Hasse-Minkowski theorem using Galois cohomology
and then the statement naturally generalises for other reductive groups.
Theorem 3 The natural mapping from H1
(k, O(q)) to v H1
(kv, O(qv)) is
one-to-one, where the product is taken over all the places of k.
This brings us to the following conjecture, called the Hasse principle,
proved by Kneser, Harder, Chunousov.
Conjecture 1 Let G be a semi-simple simply connected algebraic group over
a number field k, then the natural mapping from H1
(k, G) to v H1
(kv, G)
is one-to-one, where the product is taken over all the places of k.
It is a consequence of the Hasse principle that if the number field has
no real places, then for a semi-simple simply connected group, H1
(k, G) =
1. Serre conjectured that this vanishing statement is true for all fields of
cohomological dimension 2. This was proved by Eva-Bayer and Parimala for
all classical groups.
32

Alg grp

More Related Content

What's hot (20)

Viewers also liked (7)

Similar to Alg grp (20)

Recently uploaded (20)

Alg grp