Unipotent elements forcing irreducibility in linear algebraic groups

Let $G$ be a simple algebraic group over an algebraically closed field $K$ of characteristic $p > 0$. We consider connected reductive subgroups $X$ of $G$ that contain a given distinguished unipotent element $u$ of $G$. A result of Testerman and Zalesski (Proc. Amer. Math. Soc., 2013) shows that if $u$ is a regular unipotent element, then $X$ cannot be contained in a proper parabolic subgroup of $G$. We generalize their result and show that if $u$ has order $p$, then except for two known examples which occur in the case $(G, p) = (C_2, 2)$, the subgroup $X$ cannot be contained in a proper parabolic subgroup of $G$. In the case where $u$ has order $> p$, we also present further examples arising from indecomposable tilting modules with quasi-minuscule highest weight.Comment: 33 page

Invariant forms on irreducible modules of simple algebraic groups

Let $G$ be a simple linear algebraic group over an algebraically closed field $K$ of characteristic $p \geq 0$ and let $V$ be an irreducible rational $G$-module with highest weight $\lambda$. When $V$ is self-dual, a basic question to ask is whether $V$ has a non-degenerate $G$-invariant alternating bilinear form or a non-degenerate $G$-invariant quadratic form. If $p \neq 2$, the answer is well known and easily described in terms of $\lambda$. In the case where $p = 2$, we know that if $V$ is self-dual, it always has a non-degenerate $G$-invariant alternating bilinear form. However, determining when $V$ has a non-degenerate $G$-invariant quadratic form is a classical problem that still remains open. We solve the problem in the case where $G$ is of classical type and $\lambda$ is a fundamental highest weight $\omega_i$, and in the case where $G$ is of type $A_l$ and $\lambda = \omega_r + \omega_s$ for $1 \leq r < s \leq l$. We also give a solution in some specific cases when $G$ is of exceptional type. As an application of our results, we refine Seitz's $1987$ description of maximal subgroups of simple algebraic groups of classical type. One consequence of this is the following result. If $X < Y < \operatorname{SL}(V)$ are simple algebraic groups and $V \downarrow X$ is irreducible, then one of the following holds: (1) $V \downarrow Y$ is not self-dual; (2) both or neither of the modules $V \downarrow Y$ and $V \downarrow X$ have a non-degenerate invariant quadratic form; (3) $p = 2$, $X = \operatorname{SO}(V)$, and $Y = \operatorname{Sp}(V)$.Comment: 46 pages; to appear in J. Algebr

An almost sure ergodic theorem for quasistatic dynamical systems

We prove almost sure ergodic theorems for a class of systems called quasistatic dynamical systems. These results are needed, because the usual theorem due to Birkhoff does not apply in the absence of invariant measures. We also introduce the concept of a physical family of measures for a quasistatic dynamical system. These objects manifest themselves, for instance, in numerical experiments. We then verify the conditions of the theorems and identify physical families of measures for two concrete models, quasistatic expanding systems and quasistatic dispersing billiards.Comment: 15 page