Tits type alternative for groups acting on toric affine varieties

Given a toric affine algebraic variety $X$ and a collection of one-parameter unipotent subgroups $U_1,\ldots,U_s$ of $\mathop{\rm Aut}(X)$ which are normalized by the torus acting on $X$, we show that the group $G$ generated by $U_1,\ldots,U_s$ verifies the following alternative of Tits' type: either $G$ is a unipotent algebraic group, or it contains a non-abelian free subgroup. We deduce that if $G$ is $2$-transitive on a $G$-orbit in $X$, then $G$ contains a non-abelian free subgroup, and so, is of exponential growth.Comment: 24 pages. The main result strengthened, the proof of Proposition 4.8 written in more detail; some references added; the referee remarks taken into account; the title change

Classification of reductive real spherical pairs II. The semisimple case

If ${\mathfrak g}$ is a real reductive Lie algebra and ${\mathfrak h} < {\mathfrak g}$ is a subalgebra, then $({\mathfrak g}, {\mathfrak h})$ is called real spherical provided that ${\mathfrak g} = {\mathfrak h} + {\mathfrak p}$ for some choice of a minimal parabolic subalgebra ${\mathfrak p} \subset {\mathfrak g}$. In this paper we classify all real spherical pairs $({\mathfrak g}, {\mathfrak h})$ where ${\mathfrak g}$ is semi-simple but not simple and ${\mathfrak h}$ is a reductive real algebraic subalgebra. The paper is based on the classification of the case where ${\mathfrak g}$ is simple (see arXiv:1609.00963) and generalizes the results of Brion and Mikityuk in the (complex) spherical case.Comment: Extended revised version. Section 6 and Appendix B are new. To appear in Transformation Groups. 40

Mini-Workshop: Algebraic and Analytic Techniques for Polynomial Vector Fields

Polynomial vector fields are in the focus of research in various areas of mathematics and its applications. As a consequence, researchers from rather different disciplines work with polynomial vector fields. The main goal of this mini workshop was to create new and consolidate existing interdisciplinary exchange on the subject

Branch Rings, Thinned Rings, Tree Enveloping Rings

We develop the theory of ``branch algebras'', which are infinite-dimensional associative algebras that are isomorphic, up to taking subrings of finite codimension, to a matrix ring over themselves. The main examples come from groups acting on trees. In particular, for every field k we construct a k-algebra K which (1) is finitely generated and infinite-dimensional, but has only finite-dimensional quotients; (2) has a subalgebra of finite codimension, isomorphic to $M_2(K)$; (3) is prime; (4) has quadratic growth, and therefore Gelfand-Kirillov dimension 2; (5) is recursively presented; (6) satisfies no identity; (7) contains a transcendental, invertible element; (8) is semiprimitive if k has characteristic $\neq2$; (9) is graded if k has characteristic 2; (10) is primitive if k is a non-algebraic extension of GF(2); (11) is graded nil and Jacobson radical if k is an algebraic extension of GF(2).Comment: 35 pages; small changes wrt previous versio

Global analysis by hidden symmetry

Hidden symmetry of a G'-space X is defined by an extension of the G'-action on X to that of a group G containing G' as a subgroup. In this setting, we study the relationship between the three objects: (A) global analysis on X by using representations of G (hidden symmetry); (B) global analysis on X by using representations of G'; (C) branching laws of representations of G when restricted to the subgroup G'. We explain a trick which transfers results for finite-dimensional representations in the compact setting to those for infinite-dimensional representations in the noncompact setting when $X_C$ is $G_C$-spherical. Applications to branching problems of unitary representations, and to spectral analysis on pseudo-Riemannian locally symmetric spaces are also discussed.Comment: Special volume in honor of Roger Howe on the occasion of his 70th birthda