Projectivity of moment map quotients

Abstract

Let G be a complex reductive group and K a maximal compact subgroup. If X is a smooth projective G-variety, with a fixed (not necessarily integral) K-invariant Kaehler form, then the K-action is Hamiltonian. Let M be the zero fiber of the corresponding moment map. It is well known that the quotient M/K is a complex space in a natural way. We prove that M/K is a projective variety. In particular, it follows that semistability with respect to a moment map is equivalent to semistability in the sense of Mumford.