Is the function field of a reductive Lie algebra purely transcendental over the field of invariants for the adjoint action?

Let $k$ be a field of characteristic zero, let $G$ be a connected reductive algebraic group over $k$ and let $\mathfrak{g}$ be its Lie algebra. Let $k(G)$, respectively, $k(\mathfrak{g})$, be the field of $k$-rational functions on $G$, respectively, $\mathfrak{g}$. The conjugation action of $G$ on itself induces the adjoint action of $G$ on $\mathfrak{g}$. We investigate the question whether or not the field extensions $k(G)/k(G)^G$ and $k(\mathfrak{g})/k(\mathfrak{g})^G$ are purely transcendental. We show that the answer is the same for $k(G)/k(G)^G$ and $k(\mathfrak{g})/k(\mathfrak{g})^G$, and reduce the problem to the case where $G$ is simple. For simple groups we show that the answer is positive if $G$ is split of type ${\sf A}_{n}$ or ${\sf C}_n$, and negative for groups of other types, except possibly ${\sf G}_{2}$. A key ingredient in the proof of the negative result is a recent formula for the unramified Brauer group of a homogeneous space with connected stabilizers. As a byproduct of our investigation we give an affirmative answer to a question of Grothendieck about the existence of a rational section of the categorical quotient morphism for the conjugating action of $G$ on itself. The results and methods of this paper have played an important part in recent A. Premet's negative solution (arxiv:0907.2500) of the Gelfand--Kirillov conjecture for finite-dimensional simple Lie algebras of every type, other than ${\sf A}_n$, ${\sf C}_n$, and ${\sf G}_2$.Comment: Final version, 37 pages. To appear in Compositio Mathematica

On Modular Inverses of Cyclotomic Polynomials and the Magnitude of their Coefficients

Let p and r be two primes and n, m be two distinct divisors of pr. Consider the n-th and m-th cyclotomic polynomials. In this paper, we present lower and upper bounds for the coefficients of the inverse of one of them modulo the other one. We mention an application to torus-based cryptography.Comment: 21 page

The Discriminant of an Algebraic Torus

For a torus T defined over a global field K, we revisit an analytic class number formula obtained by Shyr in the 1970's as a generalization of Dirichlet's class number formula. We prove a local-global presentation of the quasi-discriminant of T, which enters into this formula, in terms of cocharacters of T. This presentation can serve as a more natural definition of this invariant.Comment: 17 page

Arithmetic Toric Varieties

We study toric varieties over a field k that split in a Galois extension K / k using Galois cohomology with coefficients in the toric automorphism group. Part of this Galois cohomology fits into an exact sequence induced by the presentation of the class group of the toric variety. This perspective helps to compute the Galois cohomology, particularly for cyclic Galois groups. We use Galois cohomology to classify k-forms of projective spaces when K / k is cyclic, and we also study k-forms of surfaces

Weakly commensurable S-arithmetic subgroups in almost simple algebraic groups of types B and C

Let G and G' be absolutely almost simple algebraic groups of types B and C respectively, of rank at least 3, and defined over a number field K. We determine when G and G' have the same isomorphism or isogeny classes of maximal K-tori. This leads to the necessary and sufficient conditions for two Zariski-dense S-arithmetic subgroups of G and G' to be weakly commensurable

Group actions on central simple algebras: a geometric approach

We study actions of linear algebraic groups on central simple algebras using algebro-geometric techniques. Suppose an algebraic group G acts on a central simple algebra A of degree n. We are interested in questions of the following type: (a) Do the G-fixed elements form a central simple subalgebra of A of degree n? (b) Does A have a G-invariant maximal subfield? (c) Does A have a splitting field with a G-action, extending the G-action on the center of A? Somewhat surprisingly, we find that under mild assumptions on A and the actions, one can answer these questions by using techniques from birational invariant theory (i.e., the study of group actions on algebraic varieties, up to equivariant birational isomorphisms). In fact, group actions on central simple algebras turn out to be related to some of the central problems in birational invariant theory, such as the existence of sections, stabilizers in general position, affine models, etc. In this paper we explain these connections and explore them to give partial answers to questions (a)-(c).Comment: 33 pages. Final version, to appear in Journal of Algebra. Includes a short new section on Brauer-Severi varietie

Modular Lie algebras and the Gelfand-Kirillov conjecture

Let g be a finite dimensional simple Lie algebra over an algebraically closed field of characteristic zero. We show that if the Gelfand-Kirillov conjecture holds for g, then g has type A_n, C_n or G_2.Comment: 20 page

Few smooth d-polytopes with n lattice points

We prove that, for fixed n there exist only finitely many embeddings of Q-factorial toric varieties X into P^n that are induced by a complete linear system. The proof is based on a combinatorial result that for fixed nonnegative integers d and n, there are only finitely many smooth d-polytopes with n lattice points. We also enumerate all smooth 3-polytopes with at most 12 lattice points. In fact, it is sufficient to bound the singularities and the number of lattice points on edges to prove finiteness.Comment: 20+2 pages; major revision: new author, new structure, new result

Fano Varieties in Mori Fibre Spaces

We show that being a general fibre of a Mori fibre space is a rather restrictive condition for a Fano variety. More specifically, we obtain two criteria (one sufficient and one necessary) for a Q-factorial Fano variety with terminal singularities to be realised as a fibre of a Mori fibre space, which turn into a characterisation in the rigid case. We apply our criteria to figure out this property up to dimension three and on rational homogeneous spaces. The smooth toric case is studied and an interesting connection with K-semistability is also investigated

Neutrino emission from dense matter, and neutron star thermal evolution

A brief review is given of neutrino emission processes in dense matter, with particular emphasis on recent developments. These include direct Urca processes for nucleons and hyperons, which can give rise to rapid energy loss from the stellar core without exotic matter, and the effect of band structure on neutrino bremsstrahlung from electrons in the crust, which results in much lower energy losses by this process than had previously been estimated