Quadratic and cubic invariants of unipotent affine automorphisms

Abstract

Let $K$ be an arbitrary field of characteristic zero, $P_n:= K[ x_1, ..., x_n]$ be a polynomial algebra, and $P_{n, x_1}:= K[x_1^{-1}, x_1, ..., x_n]$, for $n\geq 2$. Let $\s' \in {\rm Aut}_K(P_n)$ be given by $$ x_1\mapsto x_1-1, \quad x_1\mapsto x_2+x_1,\quad ... ,\quad x_n\mapsto x_n+x_{n-1}.$$ It is proved that the algebra of invariants, $F_n':= P_n^{\s'}$, is a polynomial algebra in $n-1$ variables which is generated by $[\frac{n}{2}]$ quadratic and $[\frac{n-1}{2}]$ cubic (free) generators that are given explicitly. Let $\s \in {\rm Aut}_K(P_n)$ be given by %$$\s \in {\rm Aut}_K(P_n): $$ x_1\mapsto x_1, \quad x_1\mapsto x_2+x_1, \quad ... ,\quad x_n\mapsto x_n+x_{n-1}.$$ It is well-known that the algebra of invariants, $F_n:= P_n^\s$, is finitely generated (Theorem of Weitzenb\"ock, \cite{Weitz}, 1932), has transcendence degree $n-1$, and that one can give an explicit transcendence basis in which the elements have degrees $1, 2, 3, ..., n-1$. However, it is an old open problem to find explicit generators for $F_n$. We find an explicit vector space basis for the quadratic invariants, and prove that the algebra of invariants $P_{n, x_1}^\s$ is a polynomial algebra over $K[x_1, x_1^{-1}]$ in $n-2$ variables which is generated by $[\frac{n-1}{2}]$ quadratic and $[\frac{n-2}{2}]$ cubic (free) generators that are given explicitly. The coefficients of these quadratic and cubic invariants throw light on the `unpredictable combinatorics' of invariants of affine automorphisms and of $SL_2$-invariants.