Topological generation of special linear groups

Abstract

Let $C_1,\ldots,C_e$ be noncentral conjugacy classes of the algebraic group $G=SL_n(k)$ defined over a sufficiently large field $k$, and let $\Omega:=C_1\times \ldots \times C_e$. This paper determines necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of a tuple $(x_1,\ldots,x_e)\in\Omega$ such that $\langle x_1,\ldots,x_e\rangle$ is Zariski dense in $G$. As a consequence, a new result concerning generic stabilizers in linear representations of algebraic groups is proved, and existing results on random $(r,s)$-generation of finite groups of Lie type are strengthened.