On the Popov-Pommerening conjecture for linear algebraic groups

Abstract

Let $G$ be a reductive group over an algebraically closed subfield $k$ of $\mathbb{C}$ of characteristic zero, $H \subseteq G$ an observable subgroup normalized by a maximal torus of $G$ and $X$ an affine $k$-variety acted on by $G$. Popov and Pommerening conjectured in the late 70's that the invariant algebra $k[X]^H$ is finitely generated. We prove the conjecture for 1) subgroups of $\mathrm{SL}_n(k)$ closed under left (or right) Borel action and for 2) a class of Borel regular subgroups of classical groups. We give a partial affirmative answer to the conjecture for general regular subgroups of $\mathrm{SL}_n(k)$.