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Ralf Köhl

Publications and source records attributed to Ralf Köhl.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
arXiv2015

Generalized spin representations

We introduce the notion of a generalized spin representation of the maximal compact subalgebra of a symmetrizable Kac-Moody algebra in order to show that, if defined over a formally real field, every such subalgebra has a non-trivial reductive finite-dimensional quotient. The appendix illustrates how to compute the isomorphism types of these quotients for the real $E_n$ series. In passing this provides an elementary way of determining the isomorphism types of the maximal compact subalgebras of the semisimple split real Lie algebras of types $E_6$, $E_7$, $E_8$.

math.RT↗
arXiv2015

Spin covers of maximal compact subgroups of Kac-Moody groups and spin-extended Weyl groups

Let G be a split real Kac-Moody group of arbitrary type and let K be its maximal compact subgroup, i.e. the subgroup of elements fixed by a Cartan-Chevalley involution of G. We construct non-trivial spin covers of K, thus confirming a conjecture by Damour and Hillmann (arXiv:0906.3116). For irreducible simply laced diagrams and for all spherical diagrams these spin covers are two-fold central extensions of K. For more complicated irreducible diagrams these spin covers are central extensions by a finite 2-group of possibly larger cardinality. Our construction is amalgam-theoretic and makes use of the generalized spin representations of maximal compact subalgebras of split real Kac-Moody algebras studied in arXiv:1110.5576. Our spin covers contain what we call spin-extended Weyl groups which admit a presentation by generators and relations obtained from the one for extended Weyl groups by relaxing the condition on the generators so that only their eighth powers are required to be trivial.

math.GR↗
arXiv2014

Generalized spin representations. Part 2: Cartan-Bott periodicity for the split real En series

In this article we analyze the quotients of the maximal compact subalgebras of the split real Kac-Moody algebras of the En series resulting from the generalized spin representations introduced in part 1. It turns out that these quotients satisfy a Cartan-Bott periodicity. Our findings are also meaningful in the finite-dimensional cases of A2 + A1, A4, D5, E6, E7, E8, where it turns out that the generalized spin representation is injective. Consequently the observed Cartan-Bott periodicity provides a structural explanation for the seemingly sporadic isomorphism types of the maximal compact Lie subalgebras of the split real Lie algebras of types E6, E7, E8.

math.RA↗
arXiv2014

Classifying spaces with virtually cyclic stabilizers for linear groups

We show that every discrete subgroup of $\mathrm{GL}(n,\mathbb{R})$ admits a finite dimensional classifying space with virtually cyclic stabilizers. Applying our methods to $\mathrm{SL}(3,\mathbb{Z})$, we obtain a four dimensional classifying space with virtually cyclic stabilizers and a decomposition of the algebraic $K$-theory of its group ring.

math.GR↗
arXiv2013

On topological twin buildings and topological split Kac-Moody groups

We prove that a two-spherical split Kac-Moody group over a local field naturally provides a topological twin building in the sense of Kramer. This existence result and the local-to-global principle for twin building topologies combined with the theory of Moufang foundations as introduced and studied by Mühlherr, Ronan, and Tits allows one to immediately obtain a classification of two-spherical split Moufang topological twin buildings whose underlying Coxeter diagram contains no loop and no isolated vertices.

math.GR↗
arXiv2011

The sphericity of the Phan geometries of type Bn and Cn and the Phan-type theorem of type F4

We adapt and refine methods developed by Abramenko and Devillers--Köhl--Mühlherr in order to establish the sphericity of the Phan geometries of type B_n and C_n, and their generalizations. As an application we determine the finiteness length of the unitary form of certain hyperbolic Kac--Moody groups. We also reproduce the finiteness length of the unitary form of the groups Sp_{2n}(GF(q^2)[t,t^{-1}]). Another application is the first published proof of the Phan-type theorem of type F_4. Within the revision of the classification of the finite simple groups this concludes the revision of Phan's theorems and their extension to the non-simply laced diagrams. We also reproduce the Phan-type theorems of types B_n and C_n.

math.GR↗
arXiv2011

Higher finiteness properties of reductive arithmetic groups in positive characteristic: the rank theorem

We show that the finiteness length of an $S$-arithmetic subgroup $Γ$ in a noncommutative isotropic absolutely almost simple group $G$ over a global function field is one less than the sum of the local ranks of $G$ taken over the places in $S$. This determines the finiteness properties for arithmetic subgroups in isotropic reductive groups, confirming the conjectured finiteness properties for this class of groups. Our main tool is Behr-Harder reduction theory which we recast in terms of the metric structure of euclidean buildings.

math.GR↗
arXiv2011

On the geometry of global function fields, the Riemann-Roch theorem, and finiteness properties of S-arithmetic groups

Harder's reduction theory provides filtrations of euclidean buildings that allow one to deduce cohomological and homological properties of S-arithmetic groups over global function fields. In this survey I will sketch the main points of Harder's reduction theory starting from Weil's geometry of numbers and the Riemann-Roch theorem, describe a filtration that is particularly useful for deriving finiteness properties of S-arithmetic groups, and state the rank conjecture and its partial verifications that do not restrict the cardinality of the underlying field of constants. As a motivation for further research I also state a much more general conjecture on isoperimetric properties of S-arithmetic groups over global fields (number fields or function fields).

math.GR↗
arXiv2010

Finiteness Properties of Chevalley Groups over a Polynomial Ring over a Finite Field

It is known from work by H. Abels and P. Abramenko that for a classical Fq-group G of rank n the arithemetic lattice G(Fq[t]) of Fq[t]-rational points is of type Fn-1 provided that q is large enough. We show that the statement is true without any assumption on q and for any isotropic, absolutely almost simple group G defined over Fq.

math.GR↗
arXiv2010

Abstract involutions of algebraic groups and of Kac-Moody groups

Based on the second author's thesis in this article we provide a uniform treatment of abstract involutions of algebraic groups and of Kac-Moody groups using twin buildings, RGD systems, and twisted involutions of Coxeter groups. Notably we simultaneously generalize the double coset decompositions established by Springer and by Helminck-Wang for algebraic groups and by Kac-Wang for certain Kac-Moody groups, we analyze the filtration studied by Devillers-Muhlherr in the context of arbitrary involutions, and we answer a structural question on the combinatorics of involutions of twin buildings raised by Bennett-Gramlich-Hoffman-Shpectorov.

math.GR↗
arXiv2009

Developments in finite Phan theory

This is a final report on finite Phan theory, a project that has been concerned with a revision and generalisation of Phan's presentation results of twisted Chevalley groups over finite fields with simply laced diagrams by unitary subgroups of rank one and two. Finite Phan theory has been initiated on request by Richard Lyons and Ronald Solomon in order to support their revision of the classification of the finite simple groups.

math.GR↗
arXiv2009

Iwasawa decompositions of split Kac-Moody groups

We characterize all fields F for which a group with an F-locally split root group datum admits an Iwasawa decomposition. This class of groups in particular includes the split semisimple algebraic groups and the split Kac-Moody groups.

math.GR↗
arXiv2008

The sphericity of the complex of non-degenerate subspaces

We prove that the complex of proper non-trivial non-degenerate subspaces of a finite-dimensional vector space endowed with a non-degenerate sesquilinear form is homotopy equivalent to a wedge of spheres. Additionally, we show that the same is true for a slight generalization, the so-called generalized Phan geometries of type A_n. These generalized Phan geometries occur as relative links of certain filtrations. Their sphericity implies finiteness properties of suitable arithmetic groups and allows for a revision of Phan's group-theoretical local recognition of suitable finite groups of Lie type with simply laced diagram.

math.CO↗
arXiv2008

Final group topologies, Kac-Moody groups and Pontryagin duality

We study final group topologies and their relations to compactness properties. In particular, we are interested in situations where a colimit or direct limit is locally compact, a k_ω-space, or locally k_ω. As a first application, we show that unitary forms of complex Kac-Moody groups can be described as the colimit of an amalgam of subgroups (in the category of Hausdorff topological groups, and the category of k_ω-groups). Our second application concerns Pontryagin duality theory for the classes of almost metrizable topological abelian groups, resp., locally k_ωtopological abelian groups, which are dual to each other. In particular, we explore the relations between countable projective limits of almost metrizable abelian groups and countable direct limits of locally k_ωabelian groups.

math.GR↗