Scalar relative differential invariants

Abstract

Computation of polynomial relative invariants is a classical tool in algebra. Relative differential invariants are central for the equivalence problem of geometric structures. We address the fundamental problem of finite generation of their (differential) algebra and demonstrate both positive and negative results in this respect under various setups. As in the algebraic case, the algebra of polynomial differential invariants is not finitely generated. However we show that after localization on a finite set of relative invariants the differential algebra becomes finitely generated. We also investigate the weights of rational relative differential invariants and bound their order. Several nontrivial examples are considered and further applications are discussed.