Fixed-point subring
In algebra, the fixed-point subring of an automorphism f of a ring R is the subring of the fixed points of f:
More generally, if G is a group acting on R, then the subring of R:
is called the fixed subring or, more traditionally, the ring of invariants. In Galois theory, when R is a field and G is a group of field automorphisms, the fixed ring is a subfield called the fixed field of the automorphism group; see Fundamental theorem of Galois theory.
Along with a module of covariants, the ring of invariants is a central object of study in invariant theory. Geometrically, the rings of invariants are the coordinate rings of GIT quotients and they play fundamental roles in the constructions in geometric invariant theory.
Example: Let be a polynomial ring in n variables. The symmetric group Sn acts on R by permuting the variables. Then the ring of invariants RG is the ring of symmetric polynomials. If a reductive algebraic group G acts on R, then the fundamental theorem of invariant theory describes the generators of RG.
Hilbert's fourteenth problem asks whether the ring of invariants is finitely generated or not The finite generation is easily seen for a finite group G acting on a finitely generated algebra R: since R is integral over RG, the Artin–Tate lemma implies RG is a finitely generated algebra. The answer is negative for some unipotent groups.
Let G be a finite group. Let S be the symmetric algebra of a finite-dimensional G-module. Then G is a reflection group if and only if is a free module over SG.
In differential geometry, if G is a Lie group and its Lie algebra, then each principal G-bundle on a manifold M determines a graded algebra homomorphism
where is the ring of polynomial functions on and G acts on by adjoint representation.
