Generically multiple transitive algebraic group actions

TL;DR

This paper introduces the concept of generic transitivity degree for algebraic groups, classifies it for various types, and explores its implications for group actions and tensor product decompositions.

Contribution

It defines and computes the generic transitivity degree for all reductive groups and classifies pairs with open orbits in triple products.

Findings

gtd(G) ≤ 2 for all solvable G

gtd(G) = 1 for all nilpotent G

classification of pairs (G, P) with open orbits in (G/P)^3

Abstract

With every nontrivial connected algebraic group $G$ we associate a positive integer ${\rm gtd}(G)$ called the generic transitivity degree of $G$ and equal to the maximal $n$ such that there is a nontrivial action of $G$ on an irreducible algebraic variety $X$ for which the diagonal action of $G$ on $X^n$ admits an open orbit. We show that ${\rm gtd}(G)\leqslant 2$ (respectively, ${\rm gtd}(G)=\nobreak 1$) for all solvable (respectively, nilpotent) $G$, and we calculate ${\rm gtd}(G)$ for all reductive $G$. We prove that if $G$ is nonabelian reductive, then the above maximal $n$ is attained for $X=G/P$ where $P$ is a proper maximal parabolic subgroup of $G$ (but not only for such homogeneous spaces of $G$). For every reductive $G$ and its proper maximal parabolic subgroup $P$, we find the maximal $r$ such that the diagonal action of $G$ (respectively, a Levi subgroup $L$ of ~$P$) on $(G/P)^r$ admits an open $G$-orbit (respectively, $L$-orbit). As an application, we obtain upper bounds for the multiplicities of trivial components in some tensor product decompositions. As another application, we classify all the pairs $(G, P)$ such that the action of $G$ on $(G/P)^3$ admits an open orbit, answering a question of {\sc M. Burger}.