Introduction
Let q q q be a prime power and F q \mathbb{F}_q F q the finite field of order q q q . Consider the finitary special linear group S L ∞ ( F q ) = ⋃ n S L n ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)=\bigcup_{n}\mathrm{SL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) = ⋃ n SL n ( F q ) . The group S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) consists of all infinite matrices A A A over the field F q \mathbb{F}_q F q satisfying A i j = δ i j A_{ij}=\delta_{ij} A ij = δ ij for all but finitely many pairs of indices i , j ∈ N i,j\in\mathbb{N} i , j ∈ N as well as the requirement det A = 1 \det A=1 det A = 1 .
Our main goal is to classify the invariant random subgroups of the group S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) . This means the following. To any given discrete group G G G we associate its space of subgroups Sub ( G ) \operatorname{Sub}(G) Sub ( G ) . This is a compact space endowed with the Chabauty topology. The group G G G is acting on Sub ( G ) \operatorname{Sub}(G) Sub ( G ) by homeomorphisms via conjugation. An invariant random subgroup of G G G is a probability measure on Sub ( G ) \operatorname{Sub}(G) Sub ( G ) preserved under this action. One example is a Dirac point mass δ N \delta_N δ N at some normal subgroup N ◃ G N\triangleleft G N ◃ G . The most general example is the stabilizer distribution of some probability measure preserving action of G G G . We denote the convex set of all invariant random subgroups of G G G by IRS ( G ) \operatorname{IRS}(G) IRS ( G ) . An invariant random subgroup of G G G is called ergodic if it is an extreme point of the convex compact set IRS ( G ) \operatorname{IRS}(G) IRS ( G ) . Invariant random subgroups were introduced in [1 ] . See e.g. [10 ] for a survey.
We show that the invariant random subgroups of S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) can be described by means of certain natural probability measure preserving actions. Consider the infinite-dimensional vector space V = ∏ n ∈ N F q V=\prod_{n\in\mathbb{N}}\mathbb{F}_q V = ∏ n ∈ N F q over the field F q \mathbb{F}_q F q . The group S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) admits the standard action on V V V , namely A ⋅ v = A v A\cdot v=Av A ⋅ v = A v . In addition, let V ^ \widehat{V} V be the same underlying vector space as V V V , equipped with the dual action of the group S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) , namely A ⋅ φ = ( A − 1 ) t φ A\cdot\varphi=(A^{-1})^{t}\varphi A ⋅ φ = ( A − 1 ) t φ .
For each k , ℓ ∈ N 0 = N ∪ { 0 } k,\ell\in\mathbb{N}_0=\mathbb{N}\cup\{0\} k , ℓ ∈ N 0 = N ∪ { 0 } consider the vector space V k , ℓ = V k × V ^ ℓ V^{k,\ell}=V^k\times\widehat{V}^{\ell} V k , ℓ = V k × V ℓ equipped with the natural product S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) -action. Note that V k , ℓ V^{k,\ell} V k , ℓ is a compact abelian group and let Haar k , ℓ \operatorname{Haar}^{k,\ell} Haar k , ℓ be its Haar probability measure. The stabilizer map Stab S L ∞ ( F q ) : V k , ℓ → Sub ( S L ∞ ( F q ) ) \operatorname{Stab}_{\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)}:V^{k,\ell}\to\operatorname{Sub}(\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) Stab SL ∞ ( F q ) : V k , ℓ → Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) induces an invariant random subgroup of S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) denoted μ k , ℓ \mu_{k,\ell} μ k , ℓ as the pushforward of the measure Haar k , ℓ \operatorname{Haar}^{k,\ell} Haar k , ℓ . Notice that μ 0 , 0 = δ S L ∞ ( F q ) \mu_{0,0}=\delta_{\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)} μ 0 , 0 = δ SL ∞ ( F q ) . In addition, let μ ∞ = δ { 1 } \mu_{\infty}=\delta_{\{1\}} μ ∞ = δ { 1 } denote the Dirac measure at the trivial subgroup. Our main result is the following.
Theorem 1.1. The ergodic invariant random subgroups of the group S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) are
IRS e r g o d i c ( S L ∞ ( F q ) ) = { μ k , ℓ : k , ℓ ∈ N 0 } ∪ { μ ∞ } . \operatorname{IRS}_{\mathrm{ergodic}}(\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q))=\{\mu_{k,\ell}:k,\ell\in\mathbb{N}_0\}\cup\{\mu_{\infty}\}. IRS ergodic ( SL ∞ ( F q )) = { μ k , ℓ : k , ℓ ∈ N 0 } ∪ { μ ∞ } . These are pairwise distinct.
Theorem 1.1 has been conjectured by Simon Thomas [28 ] . One reading of Theorem 1.1 is as a far-reaching generalization of the fact that the group S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) is simple and admits no finite-index subgroups. The weak-* topology on the space IRS e r g o d i c ( S L ∞ ( F q ) ) \operatorname{IRS}_{\mathrm{ergodic}}(\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) IRS ergodic ( SL ∞ ( F q )) is such that μ ∞ \mu_{\infty} μ ∞ is the only accumulation point of the points μ k , ℓ \mu_{k,\ell} μ k , ℓ (see Theorem 8.2). In particular IRS ( S L ∞ ( F q ) ) \operatorname{IRS}(\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) IRS ( SL ∞ ( F q )) is a Bauer simplex, c.f. [15 ] .
There is an alternative interpretation of each invariant random subgroup μ k , ℓ \mu_{k,\ell} μ k , ℓ as the stabilizer of a uniformly random point in the direct product of two infinite Grassmannian spaces Gr k ( V ) × Gr ℓ ( V ^ ) \operatorname{Gr}_k(V) \times\operatorname{Gr}_{\ell}(\widehat{V}) Gr k ( V ) × Gr ℓ ( V ) (see § 7.5.2 for details).
It is interesting to note a difference between the topological and measurable dynamics of the S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) -action on its Chabauty space of subgroups. Thomas [31 ] has classified the minimal closed orbits (i.e. uniformly recurrent subgroups ) for this the action. The only such orbits are the trivial ones, namely the singleton { N } \{N\} { N } where N = { I } N=\{I\} N = { I } or N = S L ∞ ( F q ) N=\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) N = SL ∞ ( F q ) .
Example. It is a consequence of Theorem 1.1 that the only meaningful information that can be “extracted” given a random tuple x = ( v 1 , … , v k , φ 1 , … , φ ℓ ) ∈ V k , ℓ x=(v^1,\ldots,v^k,\varphi^1,\ldots,\varphi^\ell)\in V^{k,\ell} x = ( v 1 , … , v k , φ 1 , … , φ ℓ ) ∈ V k , ℓ of k k k vectors and ℓ \ell ℓ functionals with the purpose of defining an invariant random subgroup is its pointwise stabilizer. At first glance, this might seem surprising. For instance, one might be tempted to consider the stabilizer of a flag defined by x x x or of its projectivization. It turns out that all such ideas eventually lead to the same class of invariant random subgroups. For example, let v ∈ V 1 , 0 v\in V^{1,0} v ∈ V 1 , 0 be a generic vector. It is easy to see that Haar 1 , 0 \operatorname{Haar}^{1,0} Haar 1 , 0 -almost surely one has
{ A ∈ S L ∞ ( F q ) : A v = v } = { A ∈ S L ∞ ( F q ) : A v = λ v for some λ ∈ F q } . \{A\in\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q):Av=v\}=\{A\in\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q):Av=\lambda v\text{ for some }\lambda\in\mathbb{F}_q\}. { A ∈ SL ∞ ( F q ) : A v = v } = { A ∈ SL ∞ ( F q ) : A v = λ v for some λ ∈ F q } .
We also consider the finitary general linear group G L ∞ ( F q ) = ⋃ n G L n ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)=\bigcup_n\mathrm{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) = ⋃ n GL n ( F q ) . It is defined analogously to the group S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) with the requirement that the determinant is non-zero. Certainly S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) is a normal subgroup in G L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) of index q − 1 q-1 q − 1 . Given a fixed multiplicative subgroup K ≤ F q × K\leq\mathbb{F}_q^\times K ≤ F q × , a fixed pair k , ℓ ∈ N 0 k,\ell\in\mathbb{N}_0 k , ℓ ∈ N 0 and a tuple x ∈ V k , ℓ x\in V^{k,\ell} x ∈ V k , ℓ there is an associated subgroup
Stab G L ∞ ( F q ) K ( x ) = { g ∈ G L ∞ ( F q ) : g x = x and det g ∈ K } . \operatorname{Stab}^{K}_{\mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)}(x)=\{g\in\mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q):gx=x\text{ and }\det g\in K\}. Stab GL ∞ ( F q ) K ( x ) = { g ∈ GL ∞ ( F q ) : g x = x and det g ∈ K } .
Pushing forward the measure Haar k , ℓ \operatorname{Haar}^{k,\ell} Haar k , ℓ via the map Stab G L ∞ ( F q ) K \operatorname{Stab}^{K}_{\mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)} Stab GL ∞ ( F q ) K to the space Sub ( G L ∞ ( F q ) ) \operatorname{Sub}(\mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) Sub ( GL ∞ ( F q )) gives rise to an invariant random subgroup denoted μ k , ℓ K \mu^K_{k,\ell} μ k , ℓ K . In addition, we denote μ ∞ = δ { I } \mu_{\infty}=\delta_{\{I\}} μ ∞ = δ { I } .
Theorem 1.2. The ergodic invariant random subgroups of the group G L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) are
{ μ k , ℓ K : k , ℓ ∈ N 0 and K ≤ F q × is a subgroup } ∪ { μ ∞ } . \{\mu^K_{k,\ell}:k,\ell\in\mathbb{N}_0\text{ and }K\leq\mathbb{F}_q^\times\text{ is a subgroup}\}\cup\{\mu_{\infty}\}. { μ k , ℓ K : k , ℓ ∈ N 0 and K ≤ F q × is a subgroup } ∪ { μ ∞ } . These are pairwise distinct.
Classification of invariant measures on V k , ℓ V^{k,\ell} V k , ℓ
As part of the proof of Theorem 1.1 we are led to classify the S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) -invariant probability measures on the vector spaces V k , ℓ V^{k,\ell} V k , ℓ . We find this ergodic-theoretic result to be of independent interest. Here is the most essential case of this classification.
Theorem 1.3. Let k , ℓ ∈ N 0 k,\ell\in\mathbb{N}_0 k , ℓ ∈ N 0 . Let μ \mu μ be an S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) -invariant probability measure on V k , ℓ V^{k,\ell} V k , ℓ . If for μ \mu μ -almost every tuple x = ( v 1 , … , v k , φ 1 , … , φ ℓ ) ∈ V k , ℓ x=(v^1,\ldots,v^k,\varphi^1,\ldots,\varphi^\ell)\in V^{k,\ell} x = ( v 1 , … , v k , φ 1 , … , φ ℓ ) ∈ V k , ℓ , both collections { v 1 , … , v k } \{v^1,\ldots,v^k\} { v 1 , … , v k } and { φ 1 , … , φ ℓ } \{\varphi^1,\ldots,\varphi^\ell\} { φ 1 , … , φ ℓ } are linearly independent then μ = Haar k , ℓ \mu=\operatorname{Haar}^{k,\ell} μ = Haar k , ℓ .
The proof of the above Theorem 1.3 depends on the pointwise ergodic theorem for actions of amenable groups and on various linear-algebraic counting problems over the field F q \mathbb{F}_q F q . See Theorem 7.11 for the full classification of all S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) -invariant measures on V k , ℓ V^{k,\ell} V k , ℓ . Furthermore, in the related Theorem 7.12 we show unique ergodicity for the product of the infinite Grassmannian spaces Gr k ( V ) × Gr ℓ ( V ^ ) \operatorname{Gr}_k(V)\times\operatorname{Gr}_{\ell}(\widehat{V}) Gr k ( V ) × Gr ℓ ( V ) .
Remark 1.4. In the case where q q q is a prime and either k = 0 k=0 k = 0 or ℓ = 0 \ell=0 ℓ = 0 , our Theorem 1.3 follows from [2 Theorem 4.1] with a different proof. While it is likely that the proof method of [2 ] can be extended also when q q q is a prime power and possibly also for general k k k and ℓ \ell ℓ , our methods give the stronger Theorem 7.9 and are somewhat more effective.
Thoma characters
Traces and characters in the sense of Thoma play an important role in our work. A trace on a given discrete group G G G is a conjugation-invariant positive-definite function φ : G → C \varphi:G\to\mathbb{C} φ : G → C normalized so that φ ( e ) = 1 \varphi(e)=1 φ ( e ) = 1 . If π \pi π is a finite-dimensional representation of G G G then the function tr π dim π \frac{\operatorname{tr}\pi}{\dim\pi} d i m π tr π is a Thoma trace. A general Thoma trace can be viewed as the analogue of such a map when π \pi π is allowed to be infinite-dimensional. We denote by Tr ( G ) \operatorname{Tr}(G) Tr ( G ) the space of all Thoma traces on G G G . It is a compact convex set with the pointwise convergence topology. These are of independent representation theoretic interest, see e.g. [4 ] for more details.
The extreme points of the convex set Tr ( G ) \operatorname{Tr}(G) Tr ( G ) are called the Thoma characters of G G G . The set of characters is denoted Ch ( G ) \operatorname{Ch}(G) Ch ( G ) . Skudlarek has classified the Thoma characters of the group SL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) . For each r ∈ N 0 r\in\mathbb{N}_0 r ∈ N 0 define the function χ r : SL ∞ ( F q ) → [ 0 , 1 ] \chi_r:\operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)\to[0,1] χ r : SL ∞ ( F q ) → [ 0 , 1 ] by
χ k ( g ) = q − r ⋅ rk ( g − I ) ∀ g ∈ SL ∞ ( F q ) . \chi_k(g)=q^{-r\cdot\operatorname{rk}(g-I)}\qquad\forall g\in\operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q). χ k ( g ) = q − r ⋅ rk ( g − I ) ∀ g ∈ SL ∞ ( F q ) .
Note that the rank of the matrix g − I g-I g − I is always finite, provided g ∈ GL ∞ ( F q ) g\in\operatorname{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) g ∈ GL ∞ ( F q ) . In addition, we denote χ ∞ = δ I \chi_{\infty}=\delta_I χ ∞ = δ I .
Theorem 1.5 (Skudlarek [27 ] ). Ch ( SL ∞ ( F q ) ) = { χ r : r ∈ N 0 } ∪ { χ ∞ } \operatorname{Ch}(\operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q))=\{\chi_r:r\in\mathbb{N}_0\}\cup\{\chi_{\infty}\} Ch ( SL ∞ ( F q )) = { χ r : r ∈ N 0 } ∪ { χ ∞ } .
We point out that our proof of Theorem 1.1 relies crucially and in several ways on the a priori knowledge of Skudlarek’s character classification for SL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) .
To an invariant random subgroup μ \mu μ of a given discrete group G G G we associate its Vershik trace χ μ \chi_\mu χ μ given by
χ μ ( g ) = μ ( { H ∈ Sub ( G ) : g ∈ H } ) ∀ g ∈ G . \chi_\mu(g)=\mu(\{H\in\operatorname{Sub}(G):g\in H\})\qquad\forall g\in G. χ μ ( g ) = μ ({ H ∈ Sub ( G ) : g ∈ H }) ∀ g ∈ G .
The Vershik trace χ μ \chi_\mu χ μ is a trace in the sense of Thoma. A direct calculation shows that the Vershik trace of the invariant random subgroup μ k , ℓ \mu_{k,\ell} μ k , ℓ of the group SL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) is the character χ r \chi_r χ r where r = k + ℓ r=k+\ell r = k + ℓ (Theorem 8.1).
The Vershik trace map IRS ( G ) → Tr ( G ) \operatorname{IRS}(G)\to\operatorname{Tr}(G) IRS ( G ) → Tr ( G ) is an affine map of compact convex sets. It sets up a very general connection between invariant random subgroups and the representation theory of the group G G G . One may be interested in studying the properties of this map, i.e. when is it surjective, injective, or extreme point preserving?
The finitary symmetric and alternating groups S ∞ = Sym f i n ( N ) S_{\infty}=\operatorname{Sym}_{\mathrm{fin}}(\mathbb{N}) S ∞ = Sym fin ( N ) and A ∞ = Alt f i n ( N ) A_{\infty}=\operatorname{Alt}_{\mathrm{fin}}(\mathbb{N}) A ∞ = Alt fin ( N ) provide a negative answer to all three of the above questions (see § 4.3 for a detailed discussion). Even so, the Vershik trace map for these two groups is “close enough” to be a bijection and carries a great deal of information. We will make essential use of this behavior in the proof of Theorem 1.1, as the alternating group A ∞ A_{\infty} A ∞ is embedded in the group SL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) via permutation matrices.
In the case of the group SL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) , the Vershik trace map takes ergodic invariant random subgroups of SL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) to characters, and is surjective and finite-to-one on these. This gives an interesting example where the Vershik trace map is not injective, but is surjective and extreme point preserving.
Other groups and future directions
The two groups A ∞ A_{\infty} A ∞ and S ∞ S_{\infty} S ∞ can be seen as the q = 1 q=1 q = 1 analogues of the groups SL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) and GL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) respectively. The classification of their Thoma characters and invariant random subgroups has been known for a relatively long time. The characters were classified by Thoma in [29 ] . The invariant random subgroups were classified by Vershik in [35 ] . The calculation of the Vershik traces and the description of these as a weighted average over the set of Thoma characters are done in [32 ] . These results will be described precisely in § 4.3 .
For the permutation groups S ∞ S_{\infty} S ∞ and A ∞ A_{\infty} A ∞ , both the ergodic invariant random subgroups and Thoma characters form uncountable sets. In addition, although the Vershik trace of an ergodic invariant random subgroup may not be a character, every character has a canonically associated ergodic invariant random subgroup (see [32 ] ). This turns out to be very far from the situation for the group S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) , the starkest difference being that the number of ergodic invariant random subgroups as well as characters is countable.
The fact that S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) and G L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) have a countable number of characters implies that they have few von Neumann factorial representations (see [4 Chapter 11] for details, though this point of view will not be pursued in the sequel). This has led Gorin, Kerov, and Vershik to consider the group G L B ( F q ) \mathrm{GLB}(\mathbb{F}_q) GLB ( F q ) of infinite invertible matrices over F q \mathbb{F}_q F q which have finitely many non-zero entries below the diagonal and no restriction on or above the diagonal. In [11 ] they show that G L B ( F q ) \mathrm{GLB}(\mathbb{F}_q) GLB ( F q ) has a rich structure of semi-finite traces, i.e. traces that may attain the value ∞ \infty ∞ . This suggests that the space of invariant random subgroups of G L B ( F q ) \mathrm{GLB}(\mathbb{F}_q) GLB ( F q ) may be similarly interesting. To study the connection between invariant random subgroups and traces an appropriate generalization of the Vershik map to this non-discrete group is needed.
The characters of several other families of infinite-dimensional groups are known, opening the door to a classification of their invariant random subgroups. These include the infinite-dimensional real Lie groups U ∞ ( R ) U_{\infty}(\mathbb{R}) U ∞ ( R ) [37 , 6 , 36 ] , S O ∞ ( R ) SO_{\infty}(\mathbb{R}) S O ∞ ( R ) and S p ∞ ( R ) Sp_{\infty}(\mathbb{R}) S p ∞ ( R ) [7 ] . Note that S ∞ S_{\infty} S ∞ can be viewed as the Weyl group of G L ∞ ( R ) \mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{R}) GL ∞ ( R ) . The characters of the other infinite Weyl groups are classified in [17 ] and it may be of interest to classify their invariant random subgroups.
Lastly, we mention the infinite-dimensional Lie groups over a finite field, i.e. U ∞ ( F q ) U_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) U ∞ ( F q ) , S O ∞ ( F q ) SO_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) S O ∞ ( F q ) and S p ∞ ( F q ) Sp_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) S p ∞ ( F q ) . The characters of these groups (with q q q odd) have been classified in [24 ] . Thomas Thomas [31 ] has shown that S p ∞ ( F 2 n ) Sp_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{2^n}) S p ∞ ( F 2 n ) does admit a non-trivial uniformly recurrent subgroup which might indicate that the theory of invariant random subgroups there might be more delicate.
Permutation stability
A discrete group G G G is called permutation stable if every almost-action of G G G on a finite set is close to an honest action. The precise formulation of this notion is given in Theorem 9.1 below.
The connection between invariant random subgroups and permutation stability for amenable groups was established by Becker, Lubotzky and Thom [5 ] . The precise statement is the following. An invariant random subgroup of G G G is called co-sofic if it is a limit in the weak-* topology of invariant random subgroups supported on finite index subgroups.
Theorem 1.6 ([5 ] ). A finitely generated amenable group G G G is permutation stable if and only if every invariant random subgroup of G G G is co-sofic.
The work [5 ] is one of the motivations for the study of invariant random subgroups of amenable groups. For example, in [23 ] , the authors use Theorem 1.6 to show that the uncountable family of the B. H. Neumann groups are permutation stable. The analysis of the invariant random subgroups of these groups crucially depends on the above-mentioned classification of the invariant random subgroups of S ∞ S_{\infty} S ∞ by Vershik. Our classification of the invariant random subgroups of the group S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) in Theorem 1.1 can be used to establish the permutation stability of an analogous family of groups.
Theorem 1.7. Let P = ( n i ) \mathcal{P}=(n_i) P = ( n i ) be a monotone sequence of odd integers with n 1 ≥ 3 n_1\geq3 n 1 ≥ 3 . The diagonal product ⨂ i P S L n i ( F q ) \bigotimes_i \mathrm{PSL}_{n_i}(\mathbb{F}_q) ⨂ i PSL n i ( F q ) is permutation stable.
The abstract definition of the diagonal product operation is involved, and we do not reproduce or invoke it here. See e.g. [9 ] where the same group is defined and shown to be Hilbert–Schmidt stable. We only consider here a concrete and hands-on construction of the group ⨂ i PSL n i ( F q ) \bigotimes_i \operatorname{PSL}_{n_i}(\mathbb{F}_q) ⨂ i PSL n i ( F q ) as a finitely generated dense subgroup of the profinite group ∏ i PSL n i ( F q ) \prod_i \operatorname{PSL}_{n_i}(\mathbb{F}_q) ∏ i PSL n i ( F q ) , analogous to the original definition of the B. H. Neumann groups as finitely generated dense subgroups of ∏ i A n i \prod_i A_{n_i} ∏ i A n i . See § 9 for details on all this.
Proof outline
Our strategy to prove Theorem 1.1 is as follows. Fix a non-trivial ergodic invariant random subgroup μ \mu μ of S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) . We find suitable integers k , ℓ ∈ N 0 k,\ell\in\mathbb{N}_0 k , ℓ ∈ N 0 and construct a fixed-point map
FP : Sub ( S L ∞ ( F q ) ) ⟶ V k , ℓ \operatorname{FP}:\operatorname{Sub}(\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q))\longrightarrow V^{k,\ell} FP : Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) ⟶ V k , ℓ
which associates to a μ \mu μ -generic subgroup H H H a tuple FP ( H ) ∈ V k , ℓ \operatorname{FP}(H)\in V^{k,\ell} FP ( H ) ∈ V k , ℓ such that H = Stab S L ∞ ( F q ) ( FP ( H ) ) H=\operatorname{Stab}_{\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)}(\operatorname{FP}(H)) H = Stab SL ∞ ( F q ) ( FP ( H )) . Further, we show that if the subgroup H H H is distributed according to μ \mu μ then the distribution of the tuple FP ( H ) \operatorname{FP}(H) FP ( H ) is Haar k , ℓ \operatorname{Haar}^{k,\ell} Haar k , ℓ . Hence
μ = ( Stab S L ∞ ( F q ) ) ∗ FP ∗ μ = ( Stab S L ∞ ( F q ) ) ∗ Haar k , ℓ = μ k , ℓ \mu=\bigl(\operatorname{Stab}_{\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)}\bigr)_*\operatorname{FP}_*\mu=\bigl(\operatorname{Stab}_{\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)}\bigr)_*\operatorname{Haar}^{k,\ell}=\mu_{k,\ell} μ = ( Stab SL ∞ ( F q ) ) ∗ FP ∗ μ = ( Stab SL ∞ ( F q ) ) ∗ Haar k , ℓ = μ k , ℓ
as required. To construct the map FP \operatorname{FP} FP we use Vershik’s classification of the invariant random subgroups of the finitary alternating group A ∞ A_\infty A ∞ .
Let us provide a bit more detail. A finitary basis is a basis for the vector space ⨁ n ∈ N F q \bigoplus_{n\in\mathbb{N}}\mathbb{F}_q ⨁ n ∈ N F q that agrees with the standard basis in all but finitely many members. Given each finitary basis f f f let i f : A ∞ ↪ S L ∞ ( F q ) i_f:A_\infty\hookrightarrow\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) i f : A ∞ ↪ SL ∞ ( F q ) be the embedding of the finitary alternating group via permutation matrices in the basis f f f . The image of this embedding will be denoted A ∞ ( f ) A_\infty(f) A ∞ ( f ) . The map Sub ( S L ∞ ( F q ) ) → Sub ( A ∞ ( f ) ) \operatorname{Sub}(\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q))\to\operatorname{Sub}(A_\infty(f)) Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) → Sub ( A ∞ ( f )) given by intersection induces an invariant random subgroup ν f \nu_f ν f of A ∞ ( f ) A_\infty(f) A ∞ ( f ) by pushing forward the measure μ \mu μ . The proof has three conceptual stages:
Identify the invariant random subgroup ν f \nu_f ν f for each finitary base f f f .
Use the joint distribution of the measures ν f \nu_f ν f as f f f ranges over all possible finitary bases f f f to identify the parameters k , ℓ ∈ N 0 k,\ell\in\mathbb{N}_0 k , ℓ ∈ N 0 and to construct a candidate fixed point map FP : Sub ( S L ∞ ( F q ) ) → V k , ℓ \operatorname{FP}:\operatorname{Sub}(\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q))\to V^{k,\ell} FP : Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) → V k , ℓ .
Show that the map FP \operatorname{FP} FP satisfies μ = ( Stab S L ∞ ( F q ) ) ∗ FP ∗ μ \mu=\bigl(\operatorname{Stab}_{\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)}\bigr)_*\operatorname{FP}_*\mu μ = ( Stab SL ∞ ( F q ) ) ∗ FP ∗ μ and FP ∗ μ = Haar k , ℓ \operatorname{FP}_*\mu=\operatorname{Haar}^{k,\ell} FP ∗ μ = Haar k , ℓ .
Before elaborating further, we need to sketch the invariant random subgroup structure of the group A ∞ A_\infty A ∞ . Choose a probability vector α = ( α i ) i ∈ N \alpha=(\alpha_i)_{i\in\mathbb{N}} α = ( α i ) i ∈ N . Color the set N \mathbb{N} N of natural numbers using (possibly) infinitely many colors in a random i.i.d. manner according to the vector α \alpha α . The probability that each natural number in N \mathbb{N} N has the color i i i is α i \alpha_i α i . Let H H H be the random subgroup of A ∞ A_\infty A ∞ which preserves this random coloring. The distribution of H ∈ Sub ( A ∞ ) H\in\operatorname{Sub}(A_\infty) H ∈ Sub ( A ∞ ) is an ergodic invariant random subgroup of A ∞ A_\infty A ∞ . All ergodic invariant random subgroups of A ∞ A_\infty A ∞ are of this form (up to small refinement; the exact details are given in § 4.3 ).
By the above classification, the invariant random subgroup ν f \nu_f ν f obtained by intersecting μ \mu μ with the subgroup of permutation matrices in each finitary basis f f f is associated with a random coloring of the set N \mathbb{N} N . We conclude that a permutation matrix σ ∈ A ∞ ( f ) \sigma\in A_\infty(f) σ ∈ A ∞ ( f ) belongs to our chosen μ \mu μ -generic subgroup H H H if and only if σ \sigma σ preserves the (random) color vector.
For the invariant random subgroup μ k , ℓ \mu_{k,\ell} μ k , ℓ corresponding to some known choice of k , ℓ ∈ N 0 k,\ell\in\mathbb{N}_0 k , ℓ ∈ N 0 , there is a natural description of this random coloring. If H ∈ Sub ( S L ∞ ( F q ) ) H\in\operatorname{Sub}(\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) H ∈ Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) is the stabilizer of the tuple x = ( v , φ ) = ( v 1 , … , v k , φ 1 , … , φ ℓ ) ∈ V k , ℓ x=(v,\varphi)=(v^1,\ldots,v^k,\varphi^1,\ldots,\varphi^\ell)\in V^{k,\ell} x = ( v , φ ) = ( v 1 , … , v k , φ 1 , … , φ ℓ ) ∈ V k , ℓ and f f f is some finitary basis, identify our set of colors with F q r \mathbb{F}_q^r F q r where r = k + ℓ r=k+\ell r = k + ℓ . Each natural number n ∈ N n\in\mathbb{N} n ∈ N will be assigned the color represented by the tuple
x n = ( v n 1 , … , v n k , φ n 1 , … , φ n ℓ ) ∈ F q r . (1) x_n=\left(v_n^1,\ldots,v_n^k,\varphi_n^1,\ldots,\varphi_n^\ell\right)\in\mathbb{F}_q^r. \tag*{(1)} x n = ( v n 1 , … , v n k , φ n 1 , … , φ n ℓ ) ∈ F q r . (1)
Here the subscripts v n v_n v n and φ n \varphi_n φ n respectively stand for the n n n -th coordinate of the vector v v v and the functional φ \varphi φ in the finitary basis f f f . Indeed, a permutation matrix σ \sigma σ fixes the tuple x x x (equivalently, the matrix σ \sigma σ belongs to H H H ) exactly when it preserves this coloring. We see that the resulting invariant random subgroup ν f \nu_f ν f of the group A ∞ A_\infty A ∞ corresponds to a coloring of the set N \mathbb{N} N in q r q^r q r colors, where each color has an equal probability of q − r q^{-r} q − r .
Let us return to the analysis of a general ergodic invariant random subgroup μ \mu μ . To show that μ \mu μ is of the form μ k , ℓ \mu_{k,\ell} μ k , ℓ , we reverse the analysis of the above paragraph. In stage (1) we show that for each finitary basis f f f , the invariant random subgroup ν f \nu_f ν f of the group A ∞ A_\infty A ∞ corresponds to a uniform coloring using q r q^r q r (in particular, only finitely many) colors for some parameter r ∈ N 0 r \in\mathbb{N}_0 r ∈ N 0 . In stage (2) for each μ \mu μ -generic subgroup H ∈ Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q ) ) H \in\operatorname{Sub}(\operatorname{SL}_\infty(\mathbb{F}_q)) H ∈ Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) we find “candidate” values k , ℓ ∈ N 0 k,\ell\in\mathbb{N}_0 k , ℓ ∈ N 0 and a tuple x ∈ V k , ℓ x \in V^{k,\ell} x ∈ V k , ℓ such that k + ℓ = r k+\ell=r k + ℓ = r and such that the associated coloring is of the form eq. (1) for all finitary bases f f f . The correspondence H ↦ x H \mapsto x H ↦ x gives rise to the map FP discussed above. Lastly, we conclude with stage (3).
Organization
In § 2 we define the finitary special and general linear groups and consider their properties and subgroup structure. This section contains all the algebraic information to be used throughout the work. In Section 3 we prove abstractly that any action of GL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{GL}_\infty(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) satisfying certain axioms is isomorphic to the action on V k , ℓ V^{k,\ell} V k , ℓ .
The discussion of the main ideas of the work begins in earnest in § 4 , where we recall the definitions of invariant random subgroups and traces, generally speaking and for the finitary alternating group A ∞ A_\infty A ∞ in particular. In § 5 we use Skudlarek’s classification of the characters of the group SL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{SL}_\infty(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) to analyze its invariant random subgroups (§ 5.2 ) and implement stage (1) of the strategy outlined in § 1.5 (§ 5.3 ). In § 6 we introduce the theory of the “coloring equivalence relation”, a random coloring given by an invariant random subgroup μ \mu μ . This gives rise to an action of the group GL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{GL}_\infty(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) on vectors of colors (i.e. the equivalence classes of the coloring relation), which satisfies the axiomatic properties studied in Section 3.
§ 7 is standalone and involves ergodic theory. In that section we prove the measure classification result Theorem 1.3 . As a corollary, we classify the SL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{SL}_\infty(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) -invariant measures on V k , ℓ V^{k,\ell} V k , ℓ and on the infinite Grassmannian spaces (§ 7.5 ). In § 8 we define the map FP and finish the proof of our main results Theorems 1.1 and Theorem 1.2. This section contains a discussion of topological structure of the space of ergodic invariant random subgroups of SL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{SL}_\infty(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) and GL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{GL}_\infty(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) . Finally, in § 9 we recall the notion of permutation stability and use the classification of IRS ( SL ∞ ( F q ) ) \operatorname{IRS}(\operatorname{SL}_\infty(\mathbb{F}_q)) IRS ( SL ∞ ( F q )) to prove Theorem 1.7 , that is, show that the diagonal products ⨂ PSL n i ( F q ) \bigotimes\operatorname{PSL}_{n_i}(\mathbb{F}_q) ⨂ PSL n i ( F q ) are permutation stable.
Standing assumptions and notations
All our probability measures are Borel.
We let N 0 = N ∪ { 0 } \mathbb{N}_0=\mathbb{N}\cup\{0\} N 0 = N ∪ { 0 } denote the set of non-negative integers. We let N > n \mathbb{N}_{>n} N > n denote the set of natural numbers greater than n n n . Let F q \mathbb{F}_q F q denote the finite field of order q q q . We let 0 n , k 0_{n,k} 0 n , k denote the all-zeros matrix in M n , k ( F q ) M_{n,k}(\mathbb{F}_q) M n , k ( F q ) .
We use the following two standard asymptotic notations. The notation o ( 1 ) o(1) o ( 1 ) stands for an arbitrary function which decays to zero as n → ∞ n\to\infty n → ∞ . The notation O ( n ) O(n) O ( n ) stands for an arbitrary function f f f satisfying ∣ f ( n ) ∣ ≤ c n |f(n)|\le cn ∣ f ( n ) ∣ ≤ c n for some constant c > 0 c>0 c > 0 which is independent of n n n (though it may depend on other parameters, such that the field F q \mathbb{F}_q F q in our case).
Grant support
AL is supported by the ISF grants 1788/22 and 3553/26 and the BSF grant 2022105.
AI statement
Most of the research was done prior to the year 2026. No AI was used towards the research. AI was used to look up relevant references, including properties of Singer cycles.
The finitary special linear group
Let q q q be a prime power and F q \mathbb{F}_q F q be a finite field. In this section we introduce the finitary special and general linear groups S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) and G L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) . The notations introduced here will be maintained and useful to us in the forthcoming sections. We also discuss various algebraic topics from finite group theory, such as Singer cycles and maximal subgroups.
The groups S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) and G L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q )
Consider the F q \mathbb{F}_q F q -vector space ⨁ n ∈ N F q \bigoplus_{n\in\mathbb{N}}\mathbb{F}_q ⨁ n ∈ N F q equipped with the standard ordered basis e = ( e n ) n = 1 ∞ e=(e^n)_{n=1}^{\infty} e = ( e n ) n = 1 ∞ . A finitary basis for the F q \mathbb{F}_q F q -vector space ⨁ n ∈ N F q \bigoplus_{n\in\mathbb{N}}\mathbb{F}_q ⨁ n ∈ N F q is any ordered basis f = ( f n ) n = 1 ∞ f=(f^n)_{n=1}^{\infty} f = ( f n ) n = 1 ∞ satisfying f n = e n f^n=e^n f n = e n for all but finitely many indices n ∈ N n\in\mathbb{N} n ∈ N .
The finitary general linear group G L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) consists of all invertible F q \mathbb{F}_q F q -linear transformations of ⨁ n ∈ N F q \bigoplus_{n\in\mathbb{N}}\mathbb{F}_q ⨁ n ∈ N F q fixing all but finitely many members of some (equivalently, any) finitary basis. The determinant map is defined naturally on G L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) . We denote det : G L ∞ ( F q ) → F q × \det:\mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)\to\mathbb{F}_q^{\times} det : GL ∞ ( F q ) → F q × and let S L ∞ ( F q ) = ker det \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)=\ker\det SL ∞ ( F q ) = ker det . Clearly S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) is a finite-index normal subgroup of G L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) with quotient F q × \mathbb{F}_q^{\times} F q × .
An element of the group G L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) can be represented in any finitary basis by an infinite matrix A A A over the field F q \mathbb{F}_q F q with coordinates indexed by N \mathbb{N} N such that A i j = δ i j A_{ij}=\delta_{ij} A ij = δ ij for all but finitely many pairs ( i , j ) ∈ N × N (i,j)\in\mathbb{N}\times\mathbb{N} ( i , j ) ∈ N × N . An element of the group S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) can be likewise represented, with the additional requirement it has determinant one.
Let f f f be a finitary basis and I ⊂ N I\subset\mathbb{N} I ⊂ N an index set. We define S L I ( f ) \mathrm{SL}_{I}(f) SL I ( f ) to be the subgroup of all matrices g ∈ S L ∞ ( F q ) g\in\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) g ∈ SL ∞ ( F q ) keeping invariant the subspace span F q { f i : i ∈ I } \operatorname{span}_{\mathbb{F}_q}\{f^i:i\in I\} span F q { f i : i ∈ I } and fixing pointwise the complementary subspace span F q { f i : i ∈ N ∖ I } \operatorname{span}_{\mathbb{F}_q}\{f^i:i\in\mathbb{N}\setminus I\} span F q { f i : i ∈ N ∖ I } . An element of S L I ( f ) \mathrm{SL}_{I}(f) SL I ( f ) is said to be supported on the index set I I I in basis f f f . The group S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) is isomorphic to the direct limit
S L ∞ ( F q ) = lim I ⊂ N , ∣ I ∣ < ∞ S L I ( f ) . \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)=\lim_{\substack{I\subset\mathbb{N},\,|I|<\infty}}\mathrm{SL}_{I}(f). SL ∞ ( F q ) = I ⊂ N , ∣ I ∣ < ∞ lim SL I ( f ) .
We will sometimes write S L n ( f ) \mathrm{SL}_{n}(f) SL n ( f ) for S L { 1 , … , n } ( f ) \mathrm{SL}_{\{1,\ldots,n\}}(f) SL { 1 , … , n } ( f ) . If the index set I ⊂ N I\subset\mathbb{N} I ⊂ N is finite with ∣ I ∣ = n |I|=n ∣ I ∣ = n then we obtain a natural embedding
S L n ( F q ) → S L I ( f ) ⊆ S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{n}(\mathbb{F}_q)\to\mathrm{SL}_{I}(f)\subseteq\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL n ( F q ) → SL I ( f ) ⊆ SL ∞ ( F q )
which is an isomorphism onto its image. The image of a matrix A ∈ S L n ( F q ) A\in\mathrm{SL}_{n}(\mathbb{F}_q) A ∈ SL n ( F q ) under this embedding with respect to the standard basis e e e will be denoted by [ A ] I [A]_{I} [ A ] I . If the index set I ⊂ N I\subset\mathbb{N} I ⊂ N is infinite then the subgroup S L I ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{I}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL I ( F q ) is isomorphic to the group S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) .
All the notations and remarks in the previous paragraph apply mutatis mutandis to the general linear group G L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) .
For each finitary basis f f f there is an embedding i f i_f i f of the finitary alternating group into the group S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) by permutation matrices acting in the basis f f f . We denote the image of this embedding by A ∞ ( f ) = i f ( A ∞ ) A_{\infty}(f)=i_f(A_{\infty}) A ∞ ( f ) = i f ( A ∞ ) . This embedding is an isomorphism onto its image. Given a subset I ⊂ N I\subset\mathbb{N} I ⊂ N we denote by A I ( f ) A_{I}(f) A I ( f ) the subgroup of A ∞ ( f ) A_{\infty}(f) A ∞ ( f ) consisting of permutation matrices which are supported on { f n : n ∈ I } \{f^n:n\in I\} { f n : n ∈ I } .
For each element g ∈ G L ∞ ( F q ) g\in\mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) g ∈ GL ∞ ( F q ) the transformation g − I g-I g − I has finite rank on the vector space ⨁ n ∈ N F q \bigoplus_{n\in\mathbb{N}}\mathbb{F}_q ⨁ n ∈ N F q . This motivates the following handy notation: we write
rk ~ ( g ) = rk ( g − I ) ∀ g ∈ G L ∞ ( F q ) . \widetilde{\operatorname{rk}}(g)=\operatorname{rk}(g-I)\quad\forall\,g\in\mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q). rk ( g ) = rk ( g − I ) ∀ g ∈ GL ∞ ( F q ) .
Note that rk ~ ( g ) \widetilde{\operatorname{rk}}(g) rk ( g ) is zero if and only if g g g is the identity transformation. If g g g is not the identity then rk ~ ( g ) \widetilde{\operatorname{rk}}(g) rk ( g ) equals the size of the smallest index set I I I which supports g g g in some finitary basis.
Lastly, we set some common notation for specific matrices. Let n ≥ 2 n\geq2 n ≥ 2 and 1 ≤ i , j ≤ n 1\leq i,j\leq n 1 ≤ i , j ≤ n be a pair of distinct indices. Let σ i j ∈ G L n ( F q ) \sigma_{ij}\in\mathrm{GL}_{n}(\mathbb{F}_q) σ ij ∈ GL n ( F q ) be the permutation matrix swapping the i i i -th and j j j -th coordinates. Let E i j ∈ G L n ( F q ) E_{ij}\in\mathrm{GL}_{n}(\mathbb{F}_q) E ij ∈ GL n ( F q ) be the elementary matrix with 1 1 1 in its ( i , j ) (i,j) ( i , j ) -th entry. For any scalar α ∈ F q × \alpha\in\mathbb{F}_q^{\times} α ∈ F q × we let D i ( α ) = diag ( 1 , … , α , … , 1 ) ∈ G L n ( F q ) D_i(\alpha)=\operatorname{diag}(1,\ldots,\alpha,\ldots,1)\in\mathrm{GL}_{n}(\mathbb{F}_q) D i ( α ) = diag ( 1 , … , α , … , 1 ) ∈ GL n ( F q ) be a diagonal matrix, where α \alpha α is in the i i i -th position.
The standard and dual actions
We let V V V and V ^ \widehat{V} V denote the vector space ∏ n ∈ N F q \prod_{n\in\mathbb{N}} \mathbb{F}_q ∏ n ∈ N F q equipped respectively with the standard and the dual actions of the finitary group G L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) . The standard action is given by A ⋅ v = A v A\cdot v=Av A ⋅ v = A v and the dual action is given by A ⋅ φ = ( A − 1 ) T φ A\cdot\varphi=(A^{-1})^{\mathsf{T}}\varphi A ⋅ φ = ( A − 1 ) T φ for all A ∈ G L ∞ ( F q ) A\in\mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) A ∈ GL ∞ ( F q ) , v ∈ V v\in V v ∈ V and φ ∈ V ^ \varphi\in\widehat{V} φ ∈ V . We often restrict these actions to the subgroup S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) . Note that the underlying space for both actions is the same, and indeed, the two actions are equivariantly isomorphic. Further, note that V V V and V ^ \widehat{V} V are compact profinite abelian groups equipped with a Haar probability measure.
For each fixed k , ℓ ∈ N 0 k,\ell\in\mathbb{N}_0 k , ℓ ∈ N 0 we let V k , ℓ V^{k,\ell} V k , ℓ denote the product space V k × V ^ ℓ V^k\times\widehat{V}^{\ell} V k × V ℓ with the suitable product G L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) -action. This space is G L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) -equivariantly isomorphic to the matrix product space M ∞ × k ( F q ) × M ℓ × ∞ ( F q ) M_{\infty\times k}(\mathbb{F}_q)\times M_{\ell\times\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) M ∞ × k ( F q ) × M ℓ × ∞ ( F q ) with an action by matrix multiplication on the left in the first factor and on the right in the second factor. The two actions on V k , ℓ V^{k,\ell} V k , ℓ and V ℓ , k V^{\ell,k} V ℓ , k are G L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) -equivariantly isomorphic.
We set up some additional notation. For each n ∈ N n\in\mathbb{N} n ∈ N set V n = F q n V_n=\mathbb{F}_q^n V n = F q n and V > n = ∏ i = n + 1 ∞ F q V_{>n}=\prod_{i=n+1}^{\infty}\mathbb{F}_q V > n = ∏ i = n + 1 ∞ F q . The space V V V splits as a product V = V n × V > n V=V_n\times V_{>n} V = V n × V > n . For each vector v ∈ V v\in V v ∈ V we denote by v ≤ n ∈ V n v_{\leq n}\in V_n v ≤ n ∈ V n and v > n ∈ V > n v_{>n}\in V_{>n} v > n ∈ V > n its corresponding projections. We also use analogous notations for the space V ^ \widehat{V} V and write V ^ = V ^ n × V ^ > n \widehat{V}=\widehat{V}_n\times\widehat{V}_{>n} V = V n × V > n . We view the space V ^ n \widehat{V}_n V n as the dual of the space V n V_n V n . We will use the notations v ≤ n v_{\leq n} v ≤ n and v > n v_{>n} v > n also for vectors v v v in the finite-dimensional spaces F q m \mathbb{F}_q^m F q m (provided m > n m>n m > n of course).
It is natural to interpret elements in V ^ \widehat{V} V as functionals on the vectors in V V V . Keeping in line with this interpretation, we use the letters v v v and φ \varphi φ for vectors in V V V and in V ^ \widehat{V} V respectively. While a global pairing V × V ^ → F q V\times\widehat{V}\to\mathbb{F}_q V × V → F q is not well-defined, there do exist finite pairings
⟨ ⋅ , ⋅ ⟩ n : V × V ^ → F q , ⟨ v , φ ⟩ n = ⟨ v ≤ n , φ ≤ n ⟩ \langle\cdot,\cdot\rangle_n:V\times\widehat{V}\to\mathbb{F}_q,\qquad\langle v,\varphi\rangle_n=\langle v_{\leq n},\varphi_{\leq n}\rangle ⟨ ⋅ , ⋅ ⟩ n : V × V → F q , ⟨ v , φ ⟩ n = ⟨ v ≤ n , φ ≤ n ⟩
for each n ∈ N n\in\mathbb{N} n ∈ N . Observe that the action of the finite group G L m ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_m(\mathbb{F}_q) GL m ( F q ) preserves the pairings ⟨ ⋅ , ⋅ ⟩ n \langle\cdot,\cdot\rangle_n ⟨ ⋅ , ⋅ ⟩ n for all n ≥ m n\geq m n ≥ m , that is ⟨ g v , g φ ⟩ n = ⟨ v , φ ⟩ n \langle gv,g\varphi\rangle_n=\langle v,\varphi\rangle_n ⟨ g v , g φ ⟩ n = ⟨ v , φ ⟩ n for any element g ∈ G L m ( F q ) g\in\mathrm{GL}_m(\mathbb{F}_q) g ∈ GL m ( F q ) . For each tuple x = ( v , φ ) ∈ V k , ℓ x=(v,\varphi)\in V^{k,\ell} x = ( v , φ ) ∈ V k , ℓ and n ∈ N n\in\mathbb{N} n ∈ N , we define the pairing matrix M n ( v , φ ) ∈ M ℓ × k ( F q ) M_n(v,\varphi)\in M_{\ell\times k}(\mathbb{F}_q) M n ( v , φ ) ∈ M ℓ × k ( F q ) by
( M n ( v , φ ) ) i j = ⟨ v j , φ i ⟩ n . \left(M_n(v,\varphi)\right)_{ij}=\langle v^j,\varphi^i\rangle_n. ( M n ( v , φ ) ) ij = ⟨ v j , φ i ⟩ n .
Extension by permutations
Let H ≤ G L ∞ ( F q ) H\leq\mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) H ≤ GL ∞ ( F q ) be a fixed subgroup. An element g ∈ G L ∞ ( F q ) g\in\mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) g ∈ GL ∞ ( F q ) is extendable by permutations to H H H if there exists a subset of indices I ⊂ N I\subset\mathbb{N} I ⊂ N with ∣ I ∣ = n |I|=n ∣ I ∣ = n and a matrix A ∈ G L n ( F q ) A\in\mathrm{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) A ∈ GL n ( F q ) with g = [ A ] I g=[A]_I g = [ A ] I such that for every sufficiently large m ∈ N m\in\mathbb{N} m ∈ N there is an additional subset of indices J ⊂ N J\subset\mathbb{N} J ⊂ N with ∣ J ∣ = k |J|=k ∣ J ∣ = k and max I < m < min J \max I<m<\min J max I < m < min J as well as a permutation matrix P ∈ G L k ( F q ) P\in\mathrm{GL}_k(\mathbb{F}_q) P ∈ GL k ( F q ) satisfying
[ ( A 0 0 P ) ] I ∪ J ∈ H . \left[\begin{pmatrix} A & 0 \\ 0 & P \end{pmatrix}\right]_{I\cup J}\in H. [ ( A 0 0 P ) ] I ∪ J ∈ H .
The subset of all matrices g ∈ G L ∞ ( F q ) g\in\mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) g ∈ GL ∞ ( F q ) extendable by permutations to H H H is a subgroup of G L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) . We denote this subgroup by H ∗ H^* H ∗ . Notice that H ⊆ H ∗ H\subseteq H^* H ⊆ H ∗ . The operation taking a subgroup H H H to the subgroup H ∗ H^* H ∗ is G L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) -equivariant, where G L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) is acting by conjugation on subgroups.
Singer cycles
We discuss Singer cycles, a special type of group element. These are well-known in the theory of finite linear groups. See [16 ] for a general overview.
Definition 2.1. Let q q q be a prime power. A Singer cycle in G L n ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) GL n ( F q ) is an element of order q n − 1 q^n-1 q n − 1 . A Singer cycle in S L n ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) SL n ( F q ) is an element of order q n − 1 q − 1 \frac{q^n-1}{q-1} q − 1 q n − 1 .
We list basic properties of Singer cycles. A reference for these can be found in [16 ] . Singer cycles have a maximal order in their corresponding group. In the G L n \mathrm{GL}_n GL n case, these are exactly the semisimple matrices whose eigenvalues are Galois conjugate primitive elements of F q n \mathbb{F}_{q^n} F q n . If s ∈ G L n ( F q ) s\in\mathrm{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) s ∈ GL n ( F q ) is a Singer cycle then the unital ring it generates in M n ( F q ) M_n(\mathbb{F}_q) M n ( F q ) is isomorphic to the finite field F q n \mathbb{F}_{q^n} F q n . The centralizer of s s s in M n ( F q ) M_n(\mathbb{F}_q) M n ( F q ) consists only of the matrices which lie in this ring. Hence the size of the conjugacy class of s s s in G L n ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) GL n ( F q ) is
∣ C l G L n ( F q ) ( s ) ∣ = ∣ G L n ( F q ) ∣ q n − 1 = q n 2 + O ( n ) . (2) \left|\mathrm{Cl}_{\mathrm{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q)}(s)\right|=\frac{|\mathrm{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q)|}{q^n-1}=q^{n^2+O(n)}. \tag*{(2)} Cl GL n ( F q ) ( s ) = q n − 1 ∣ GL n ( F q ) ∣ = q n 2 + O ( n ) . (2)
For S L n \mathrm{SL}_n SL n , Singer cycles are exactly the semisimple matrices whose eigenvalues are Galois conjugates, each of which generates the kernel of the norm F q n × → F q × \mathbb{F}_{q^n}^{\times}\to\mathbb{F}_q^{\times} F q n × → F q × . The size of the conjugacy class of a Singer cycle in S L n \mathrm{SL}_n SL n is
∣ C l S L n ( F q ) ( s ) ∣ = ∣ S L n ( F q ) ∣ ( q n − 1 ) / ( q − 1 ) = q n 2 + O ( n ) . (3) \left|\mathrm{Cl}_{\mathrm{SL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q)}(s)\right|=\frac{|\mathrm{SL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q)|}{(q^n-1)/(q-1)}=q^{n^2+O(n)}. \tag*{(3)} Cl SL n ( F q ) ( s ) = ( q n − 1 ) / ( q − 1 ) ∣ SL n ( F q ) ∣ = q n 2 + O ( n ) . (3)
Singer cycles have been useful in the study of finite linear groups. In particular, the types of maximal subgroups of G L n ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) GL n ( F q ) or S L n ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) SL n ( F q ) containing a Singer cycle have been classified. See [18 , 14 , 13 ] for this theory and for subgroups containing related types of elements. We will need the following consequence of this classification (we encourage the reader interested in the fastest route towards our main result Theorem 1.1 to skip the proof and move onward to Sections 3 and § 4 upon first reading).
Proposition 2.2. Let M M M be a proper subgroup of S L n ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) SL n ( F q ) containing a Singer cycle. Then
∣ M ∣ ≤ q 1 2 n 2 + O ( n ) . |M|\leq q^{\frac{1}{2}n^2+O(n)}. ∣ M ∣ ≤ q 2 1 n 2 + O ( n ) . Proof. By Lemma 2.3 in [13 ] , when n > 20 n>20 n > 20 the proper maximal subgroups of S L n ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) SL n ( F q ) containing a Singer cycle are conjugate to one of the following groups:
The normalizer of the special unitary group S U n ( F q 1 / 2 ) \mathrm{SU}_n(\mathbb{F}_{q^{1/2}}) SU n ( F q 1/2 ) for n n n odd and q q q a square.
The normalizer of the derived subgroup of the special orthogonal group Ω n ( F q ) \Omega_n(\mathbb{F}_q) Ω n ( F q ) for n n n even and q q q odd.
The normalizer of the symplectic group S p n ( F q ) \mathrm{Sp}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) Sp n ( F q ) for n n n even.
The normalizer of G L n / f ( F q f ) ∩ S L n ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{n/f}(\mathbb{F}_{q^f})\cap\mathrm{SL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) GL n / f ( F q f ) ∩ SL n ( F q ) for f f f a prime divisor of n n n , where we view the group G L n / f ( F q f ) \mathrm{GL}_{n/f}(\mathbb{F}_{q^f}) GL n / f ( F q f ) as a subgroup of G L n ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) GL n ( F q ) via restriction of scalars.
The definitions of these groups are given in [20 ] . We bound the sizes of these normalizers using known orders of linear groups. Let K K K be either S U n ( F q 1 / 2 ) \mathrm{SU}_n(\mathbb{F}_{q^{1/2}}) SU n ( F q 1/2 ) , Ω n ( F q ) \Omega_n(\mathbb{F}_q) Ω n ( F q ) or S p n ( F q ) \mathrm{Sp}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) Sp n ( F q ) . By Corollary 2.10.4 and Proposition 2.10.6 in [20 ] we have N G L n ( F q ) ( K ) ≤ Δ N_{\mathrm{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q)}(K)\leq\Delta N GL n ( F q ) ( K ) ≤ Δ , where Δ ≤ G L n ( F q ) \Delta\leq\mathrm{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) Δ ≤ GL n ( F q ) is the group of matrices that preserve the appropriate bilinear form up to a scalar. Table 2.1.C there gives Δ \Delta Δ ’s size in each case, and we can see that it is q 1 2 n 2 + O ( n ) q^{\frac{1}{2}n^2+O(n)} q 2 1 n 2 + O ( n ) . Hence
∣ N S L n ( F q ) ( K ) ∣ ≤ ∣ N G L n ( F q ) ( K ) ∣ ≤ ∣ Δ ∣ = q 1 2 n 2 + O ( n ) . |N_{\mathrm{SL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q)}(K)|\leq|N_{\mathrm{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q)}(K)|\leq|\Delta|=q^{\frac{1}{2}n^2+O(n)}. ∣ N SL n ( F q ) ( K ) ∣ ≤ ∣ N GL n ( F q ) ( K ) ∣ ≤ ∣Δ∣ = q 2 1 n 2 + O ( n ) . Now let K = G L n / f ( F q f ) ∩ S L n ( F q ) K=\mathrm{GL}_{n/f}(\mathbb{F}_{q^f})\cap\mathrm{SL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) K = GL n / f ( F q f ) ∩ SL n ( F q ) . Then N G L n ( F q ) ( K ) ≅ G L n / f ( F q f ) ⋊ Gal ( F q f / F q ) N_{\mathrm{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q)}(K)\cong\mathrm{GL}_{n/f}(\mathbb{F}_{q^f})\rtimes\operatorname{Gal}(\mathbb{F}_{q^f}/\mathbb{F}_q) N GL n ( F q ) ( K ) ≅ GL n / f ( F q f ) ⋊ Gal ( F q f / F q ) . In this case, we obtain again
∣ N S L n ( F q ) ( K ) ∣ ≤ ∣ Gal ( F q f / F q ) ∣ ⋅ ∣ G L n / f ( F q f ) ∣ = f ( q f ) ( n f ) 2 + O ( n / f ) = q n 2 f + O ( n ) ≤ q 1 2 n 2 + O ( n ) , |N_{\mathrm{SL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q)}(K)|\leq|\operatorname{Gal}(\mathbb{F}_{q^f}/\mathbb{F}_q)|\cdot|\mathrm{GL}_{n/f}(\mathbb{F}_{q^f})|=f(q^f)^{\left(\frac{n}{f}\right)^2+O(n/f)}=q^{\frac{n^2}{f}+O(n)}\leq q^{\frac{1}{2}n^2+O(n)}, ∣ N SL n ( F q ) ( K ) ∣ ≤ ∣ Gal ( F q f / F q ) ∣ ⋅ ∣ GL n / f ( F q f ) ∣ = f ( q f ) ( f n ) 2 + O ( n / f ) = q f n 2 + O ( n ) ≤ q 2 1 n 2 + O ( n ) , as required. □ \square □
On maximal subgroups of G L n ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) GL n ( F q )
We state some results in the theory of finite general linear groups and their subgroups. These are to be used in Section 3 below.
Proposition 2.3. Suppose n ≥ 3 n\geq3 n ≥ 3 . Let S S S be a proper subgroup of G L n ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) GL n ( F q ) containing the subgroup
G L n − 1 ( F q ) = ( 1 0 1 , n − 1 0 n − 1 , 1 G L n − 1 ( F q ) ) \mathrm{GL}_{n-1}(\mathbb{F}_q)=\left(\begin{array}{cc}1&0_{1,n-1}\\0_{n-1,1}&\mathrm{GL}_{n-1}(\mathbb{F}_q)\end{array}\right) GL n − 1 ( F q ) = ( 1 0 n − 1 , 1 0 1 , n − 1 GL n − 1 ( F q ) ) Then there is a subgroup K ≤ F q × K\leq\mathbb{F}_q^{\times} K ≤ F q × such that S S S is equal to one of the following three groups:
Q ( K ) = ( K 0 1 , n − 1 0 n − 1 , 1 G L n − 1 ( F q ) ) (4) Q(K)=\begin{pmatrix} K & 0_{1,n-1} \\ 0_{n-1,1} & \mathrm{GL}_{n-1}(\mathbb{F}_q) \end{pmatrix} \tag*{(4)} Q ( K ) = ( K 0 n − 1 , 1 0 1 , n − 1 GL n − 1 ( F q ) ) (4)
P V ( K ) = ( K ( F q n − 1 ) t 0 n − 1 , 1 G L n − 1 ( F q ) ) (5) P_V(K)=\begin{pmatrix} K & (\mathbb{F}_q^{n-1})^{\mathsf{t}} \\ 0_{n-1,1} & \mathrm{GL}_{n-1}(\mathbb{F}_q) \end{pmatrix} \tag*{(5)} P V ( K ) = ( K 0 n − 1 , 1 ( F q n − 1 ) t GL n − 1 ( F q ) ) (5)
P H ( K ) = ( K 0 1 , n − 1 F q n − 1 G L n − 1 ( F q ) ) = P V ( K ) t . (6) P_H(K)=\begin{pmatrix} K & 0_{1,n-1} \\ \mathbb{F}_q^{n-1} & \mathrm{GL}_{n-1}(\mathbb{F}_q) \end{pmatrix}=P_V(K)^{\mathsf{t}}. \tag*{(6)} P H ( K ) = ( K F q n − 1 0 1 , n − 1 GL n − 1 ( F q ) ) = P V ( K ) t . (6)
Proof. The case n ≥ 4 n \ge4 n ≥ 4 suffices for our needs and follows directly from [8 Theorem 2] . The sharper case n ≥ 3 n \ge3 n ≥ 3 can be deduced with some extra effort from the methods of [25 ] . □
Corollary 2.4. Suppose n ≥ 3 n \ge3 n ≥ 3 . Let S S S be a proper subgroup of G L n ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) GL n ( F q ) containing the subgroup G L n − 1 ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{n-1}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL n − 1 ( F q ) as in Proposition 2.3 . If q n − 1 q^n-1 q n − 1 divides [ G L n ( F q ) : S ] [\mathrm{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q):S] [ GL n ( F q ) : S ] then either
(1) S = P V = P V ( { 1 } ) S=P_V=P_V(\{1\}) S = P V = P V ({ 1 }) , namely S = ( 1 ( F q n − 1 ) t 0 n − 1 , 1 G L n − 1 ( F q ) ) S=\begin{pmatrix} 1 & (\mathbb{F}_q^{n-1})^{\mathsf{t}} \\ 0_{n-1,1} & \mathrm{GL}_{n-1}(\mathbb{F}_q) \end{pmatrix} S = ( 1 0 n − 1 , 1 ( F q n − 1 ) t GL n − 1 ( F q ) ) ,
(2) S = P H = P H ( { 1 } ) = P V t S=P_H=P_H(\{1\})=P_V^{\mathsf{t}} S = P H = P H ({ 1 }) = P V t , or
(3) S = P V ∩ P H = Q ( { 1 } ) = ( 1 0 1 , n − 1 0 n − 1 , 1 G L n − 1 ( F q ) ) S=P_V\cap P_H=Q(\{1\})=\begin{pmatrix} 1 & 0_{1,n-1} \\ 0_{n-1,1} & \mathrm{GL}_{n-1}(\mathbb{F}_q) \end{pmatrix} S = P V ∩ P H = Q ({ 1 }) = ( 1 0 n − 1 , 1 0 1 , n − 1 GL n − 1 ( F q ) ) . Proof. Let us look at the indices of the proper subgroups of G L n ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) GL n ( F q ) which are overgroups of G L n − 1 ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{n-1}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL n − 1 ( F q ) listed in Theorem 2.3. These depend on the choice of a subgroup K ≤ F q × K\le\mathbb{F}_q^{\times} K ≤ F q × . We see that
[ G L n ( F q ) : Q ( K ) ] = q n − 1 ( q n − 1 ) / ∣ K ∣ [\mathrm{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q):Q(K)]=q^{n-1}(q^n-1)/|K| [ GL n ( F q ) : Q ( K )] = q n − 1 ( q n − 1 ) /∣ K ∣ and
[ G L n ( F q ) : P V ( K ) ] = [ G L n ( F q ) : P H ( K ) ] = ( q n − 1 ) / ∣ K ∣ . [\mathrm{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q):P_V(K)]=[\mathrm{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q):P_H(K)]=(q^n-1)/|K|. [ GL n ( F q ) : P V ( K )] = [ GL n ( F q ) : P H ( K )] = ( q n − 1 ) /∣ K ∣. Since ∣ K ∣ |K| ∣ K ∣ is coprime to q q q , the only possible subgroup K K K that meets the divisibility constraint is K = { 1 } K=\{1\} K = { 1 } . This concludes the proof. □
Permutational actions of G L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q )
Fix a prime power q q q . We introduce an abstract notion of permutational actions of the group G L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) . The main result of the section says that such an action must be equivariantly isomorphic to an action of the form V k , ℓ V^{k,\ell} V k , ℓ . Given an arbitrary set C C C , a point γ ∈ C N \gamma\in C^{\mathbb{N}} γ ∈ C N in the product set and an index set I = { i 1 < ⋯ < i n } ⊂ N I=\{i_1<\cdots<i_n\}\subset\mathbb{N} I = { i 1 < ⋯ < i n } ⊂ N we denote γ I = ( γ i k ) k = 1 n ∈ C n \gamma_I=(\gamma_{i_k})_{k=1}^n\in C^n γ I = ( γ i k ) k = 1 n ∈ C n .
Definition 3.1. Let C C C be a finite set. Consider an arbitrary action of the group G L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) on the product set C N C^{\mathbb{N}} C N . The action is called local if for every n ∈ N n\in\mathbb{N} n ∈ N , finite subset I ⊂ N I\subset\mathbb{N} I ⊂ N with ∣ I ∣ = n |I|=n ∣ I ∣ = n and matrix A ∈ G L n ( F q ) A\in\mathrm{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) A ∈ GL n ( F q ) we have
γ I = δ I ⇒ ( [ A ] I γ ) I = ( [ A ] I δ ) I ∀ γ , δ ∈ C N \gamma_I=\delta_I\Rightarrow([A]_I\gamma)_I=([A]_I\delta)_I\quad\forall\gamma,\delta\in C^{\mathbb{N}} γ I = δ I ⇒ ([ A ] I γ ) I = ([ A ] I δ ) I ∀ γ , δ ∈ C N and
( [ A ] I γ ) N ∖ I = γ N ∖ I ∀ γ ∈ C N . ([A]_I\gamma)_{\mathbb{N}\setminus I}=\gamma_{\mathbb{N}\setminus I}\quad\forall\gamma\in C^{\mathbb{N}}. ([ A ] I γ ) N ∖ I = γ N ∖ I ∀ γ ∈ C N . The action is called permutational if permutation matrices act in the standard manner. Namely, if P σ ∈ G L ∞ ( F q ) P_\sigma\in\mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) P σ ∈ GL ∞ ( F q ) is a permutation matrix corresponding to the finitary permutation σ ∈ S ∞ \sigma\in S_{\infty} σ ∈ S ∞ then
( P σ ⋅ γ ) i = γ σ ( i ) (P_\sigma\cdot\gamma)_i=\gamma_{\sigma(i)} ( P σ ⋅ γ ) i = γ σ ( i ) for every γ ∈ C N \gamma\in C^{\mathbb{N}} γ ∈ C N .
We will refer to elements of C C C as colors , for reasons that will become clearer in the next sections. A local action as in Definition 3.1 induces for every n ∈ N n\in\mathbb{N} n ∈ N an action of the group G L n ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) GL n ( F q ) on the product set C n C^n C n of n n n -tuples of colors, by means of identifying this group with the subgroup G L n ( F q ) = G L { 1 , … , n } ( F q ) ≤ G L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q)=\mathrm{GL}_{\{1,\ldots,n\}}(\mathbb{F}_q)\le\mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL n ( F q ) = GL { 1 , … , n } ( F q ) ≤ GL ∞ ( F q ) . The main result of the current section is the following.
Theorem 3.2. Let C C C be a set with ∣ C ∣ = q r |C|=q^{r} ∣ C ∣ = q r where r ∈ N r\in\mathbb{N} r ∈ N . Let r e d ∈ C \mathrm{red}\in C red ∈ C be a distinguished color. Suppose G L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) GL ∞ ( F q ) admits a local permutational action on the product set C N C^{\mathbb{N}} C N . Assume that the action satisfies the properties
(1) the constant vector ρ = ( r e d ) n ∈ N ∈ C N \rho=(\mathrm{red})_{n\in\mathbb{N}}\in C^{\mathbb{N}} ρ = ( red ) n ∈ N ∈ C N is a fixed point for the action, and
(2) if A ∈ G L n ( F q ) A\in\mathrm{GL}_{n}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) A ∈ GL n ( F q ) is a matrix not admitting 1 1 1 as an eigenvalue then the only fixed point of the induced action of A A A on C n C^{n} C n is the tuple ρ n = ( r e d ) i = 1 n \rho_{n}=(\mathrm{red})_{i=1}^{n} ρ n = ( red ) i = 1 n .
There exist k , ℓ ∈ N 0 k,\ell\in\mathbb{N}_{0} k , ℓ ∈ N 0 with k + ℓ = r k+\ell=r k + ℓ = r and a bijection π : C → F q k × F q ℓ \pi:C\to\mathbb{F}_{q}^{k}\times\mathbb{F}_{q}^{\ell} π : C → F q k × F q ℓ such that the bijection π N : C N → V k , ℓ \pi^{\mathbb{N}}:C^{\mathbb{N}}\to V^{k,\ell} π N : C N → V k , ℓ is G L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) GL ∞ ( F q ) -equivariant. The bijection π \pi π satisfies π ( r e d ) = ( 0 , 0 ) ∈ F q k × F q ℓ \pi(\mathrm{red})=(0,0)\in\mathbb{F}_{q}^{k}\times\mathbb{F}_{q}^{\ell} π ( red ) = ( 0 , 0 ) ∈ F q k × F q ℓ .
For the rest of this section, we will assume that the objects which appear in Theorem 3.2 are fixed. In particular, we are given a local permutational action on color vectors satisfying the above two additional assumptions.
Remark 3.3. The material of the current Section 3 3 3 is relevant to the rest of the paper only through the application of Theorem 3.2 . A reader interested in the fastest route to understand Theorems 1.1 and 1.2 is encouraged to skip the rest of Section 3 3 3 upon first reading.
We will be making the following identification implicitly: for any pair n , m ∈ N ∪ { ∞ } n,m\in\mathbb{N}\cup\{\infty\} n , m ∈ N ∪ { ∞ } where n ≤ m n\le m n ≤ m we identify the product set C n C^{n} C n with the subset { γ ∈ C m : γ i = r e d for all i > n } \{\gamma\in C^{m}:\gamma_{i}=\mathrm{red}\text{ for all }i>n\} { γ ∈ C m : γ i = red for all i > n } of the larger product set C m C^{m} C m . Since the action of G L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) GL ∞ ( F q ) is local, this subset is invariant under the action of the subgroup G L n ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{n}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) GL n ( F q ) , and this action coincides with the restriction of the action of G L m ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{m}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) GL m ( F q ) on C m C^{m} C m .
Remark 3.4. The largest matrix which plays a role in the proof of Theorem 3.2 has size 4 × 4 4\times4 4 × 4 . Hence the proof applies in the same way for actions of the finite group G L n ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{n}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) GL n ( F q ) on the set C n C^{n} C n provided n ≥ 4 n\ge4 n ≥ 4 . We have not made any attempt to optimize the bound n ≥ 4 n\ge4 n ≥ 4 , and it may work for actions of G L 3 ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{3}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) GL 3 ( F q ) or G L 2 ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{2}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) GL 2 ( F q ) too.
Color types
The first step in the proof of Theorem 3.2 is to exhibit a product structure on the set of colors C C C , i.e. write C = C V × C H C=C_{V}\times C_{H} C = C V × C H for some k + ℓ = r k+\ell=r k + ℓ = r and some sets C V , C H C_{V},C_{H} C V , C H of size ∣ C V ∣ = q k |C_{V}|=q^{k} ∣ C V ∣ = q k and ∣ C H ∣ = q ℓ |C_{H}|=q^{\ell} ∣ C H ∣ = q ℓ .
We will use the distinguished element r e d ∈ C \mathrm{red}\in C red ∈ C to construct the two subsets C V × { r e d } C_{V}\times\{\mathrm{red}\} C V × { red } and { r e d } × C H \{\mathrm{red}\}\times C_{H} { red } × C H . The property that enables us to detect which colors belong to these two subset sets is the type of the stabilizer of a certain vector related to the color.
Let c ∈ C c\in C c ∈ C be any color other than the distinguished color r e d \mathrm{red} red . Let n ≥ 3 n\ge3 n ≥ 3 . We examine the G L n ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{n}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) GL n ( F q ) -orbit of the vector
v c = ( c , r e d , … , r e d ) ∈ C n . v_{c}=(c,\mathrm{red},\ldots,\mathrm{red})\in C^{n}. v c = ( c , red , … , red ) ∈ C n .
Let S c = Stab G L n ( F q ) ( v c ) S_{c}=\operatorname{Stab}_{\mathrm{GL}_{n}(\mathbb{F}_{q})}(v_{c}) S c = Stab GL n ( F q ) ( v c ) be its stabilizer. The subgroup S c S_{c} S c contains an isomorphic copy of G L n − 1 ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{n-1}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) GL n − 1 ( F q ) embedded as block-diagonal matrices in the last n − 1 n-1 n − 1 coordinates. Let s ∈ G L n ( F q ) s\in\mathrm{GL}_{n}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) s ∈ GL n ( F q ) be any Singer cycle (see § 2.4 ). Under Assumption (2) of Theorem 3.2 , the cyclic group ⟨ s ⟩ \langle s\rangle ⟨ s ⟩ acts freely on the G L n ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{n}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) GL n ( F q ) -orbit of v c v_{c} v c . This means that the order ∣ ⟨ s ⟩ ∣ = q n − 1 |\langle s\rangle|=q^{n}-1 ∣ ⟨ s ⟩ ∣ = q n − 1 divides the orbit’s size, which is equal to ∣ G L n ( F q ) : S c ∣ |\mathrm{GL}_{n}(\mathbb{F}_{q}):S_{c}| ∣ GL n ( F q ) : S c ∣ . In particular S c S_{c} S c is a proper subgroup of G L n ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{n}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) GL n ( F q ) . We conclude by Corollary 2.4 that S c S_{c} S c must be one of three subgroups P V , P H P_{V},P_{H} P V , P H or P V ∩ P H P_{V}\cap P_{H} P V ∩ P H .
Definition 3.5. A color c ∈ C c\in C c ∈ C other than the distinguished color r e d \mathrm{red} red will be called vertical (resp. horizontal ) if S c = Stab G L n ( F q ) ( v c ) = P V S_{c}=\operatorname{Stab}_{\mathrm{GL}_{n}(\mathbb{F}_{q})}(v_{c})=P_{V} S c = Stab GL n ( F q ) ( v c ) = P V (resp. S c = P H S_{c}=P_{H} S c = P H ). We let C V C_{V} C V (resp. C H C_{H} C H ) be the set of vertical (resp. horizontal) colors, together with the red color. A color is said to be pure if it is either vertical or horizontal.
It is not hard to check that the above definition does not depend on the choice of n n n . In what follows, we will show that C ≅ C V × C H C\cong C_{V}\times C_{H} C ≅ C V × C H , and that there are non-negative integers $k and ℓ \ell ℓ with k + ℓ = r k+\ell=r k + ℓ = r such that C V N ≅ V k , 0 C_V^N \cong V^{k,0} C V N ≅ V k , 0 and C H N ≅ V 0 , ℓ C_H^N \cong V^{0,\ell} C H N ≅ V 0 , ℓ . These isomorphisms justify the terminology “vertical” and “horizontal”.
Lemma 3.6. Let c , d ∈ C c,d\in C c , d ∈ C be a pair of colors. Write
E 21 ⋅ ( c , d ) = ( c ′ , d ′ ) ∈ C 2 and E 12 − 1 ⋅ ( c , d ) = ( c ′ ′ , d ′ ′ ) ∈ C 2 . E_{21}\cdot(c,d)=(c',d')\in C^2 \qquad\text{and}\qquad E_{12}^{-1}\cdot(c,d)=(c'',d'')\in C^2. E 21 ⋅ ( c , d ) = ( c ′ , d ′ ) ∈ C 2 and E 12 − 1 ⋅ ( c , d ) = ( c ′′ , d ′′ ) ∈ C 2 . We have
If d ∈ C V d\in C_V d ∈ C V then d ′ ∈ C V d'\in C_V d ′ ∈ C V . If in addition c ∈ C V c\in C_V c ∈ C V then c ′ ∈ C V c'\in C_V c ′ ∈ C V .
If d ∈ C H d\in C_H d ∈ C H then d ′ ′ ∈ C H d''\in C_H d ′′ ∈ C H . If in addition c ∈ C H c\in C_H c ∈ C H then c ′ ′ ∈ C H c''\in C_H c ′′ ∈ C H .
Proof. We only show item (1), as the proof of the second item (2) is analogous. Assume that d ∈ C V d\in C_V d ∈ C V . We need to show d ′ ∈ C V d'\in C_V d ′ ∈ C V . That is, we need to check that every matrix B ∈ P V B\in P_V B ∈ P V fixes the vector v d ′ = ( d ′ , red , red ) ∈ C 3 v_{d'}=(d',\operatorname{red},\operatorname{red})\in C^3 v d ′ = ( d ′ , red , red ) ∈ C 3 . Since the action is local, this can be done by showing that the larger matrix ( 1 0 0 B ) \left(\begin{smallmatrix}1&0\\0&B\end{smallmatrix}\right) ( 1 0 0 B ) fixes the vector ( c ′ , d ′ , red , red ) (c',d',\operatorname{red},\operatorname{red}) ( c ′ , d ′ , red , red ) . We may write B = ( 1 y 0 2 , 1 A ) B=\left(\begin{smallmatrix}1&y\\0_{2,1}&A\end{smallmatrix}\right) B = ( 1 0 2 , 1 y A ) for some matrix A ∈ GL 2 ( F q ) A\in\operatorname{GL}_2(\mathbb{F}_q) A ∈ GL 2 ( F q ) and vector y ∈ M 1 × 2 ( F q ) y\in M_{1\times2}(\mathbb{F}_q) y ∈ M 1 × 2 ( F q ) . We calculate:
( 1 y 0 2 , 1 A ) ⋅ ( c ′ , d ′ , red , red ) = ( 1 y 0 2 , 1 A ) ( E 21 0 2 0 2 I 2 ) ⋅ ( c , d , red , red ) = ( E 21 0 2 0 2 I 2 ) ( 1 y 0 2 , 1 A ) ⋅ ( c , d , red , red ) = ( E 21 0 2 0 2 I 2 ) ⋅ ( c , d , red , red ) = ( c ′ , d ′ , red , red ) . \begin{aligned}
\begin{pmatrix}1&y\\0_{2,1}&A\end{pmatrix}\cdot(c',d',\operatorname{red},\operatorname{red})
=
\begin{pmatrix}1&y\\0_{2,1}&A\end{pmatrix}
\begin{pmatrix}E_{21}&0_2\\0_2&I_2\end{pmatrix}
\cdot(c,d,\operatorname{red},\operatorname{red}) \\
&=
\begin{pmatrix}E_{21}&0_2\\0_2&I_2\end{pmatrix}
\begin{pmatrix}1&y\\0_{2,1}&A\end{pmatrix}
\cdot(c,d,\operatorname{red},\operatorname{red}) \\
&=
\begin{pmatrix}E_{21}&0_2\\0_2&I_2\end{pmatrix}\cdot(c,d,\operatorname{red},\operatorname{red})
=(c',d',\operatorname{red},\operatorname{red}).
\end{aligned} ( 1 0 2 , 1 y A ) ⋅ ( c ′ , d ′ , red , red ) = ( 1 0 2 , 1 y A ) ( E 21 0 2 0 2 I 2 ) ⋅ ( c , d , red , red ) = ( E 21 0 2 0 2 I 2 ) ( 1 0 2 , 1 y A ) ⋅ ( c , d , red , red ) = ( E 21 0 2 0 2 I 2 ) ⋅ ( c , d , red , red ) = ( c ′ , d ′ , red , red ) .
We get d ′ ∈ C V d'\in C_V d ′ ∈ C V as required. If in addition c ∈ C V c\in C_V c ∈ C V , we follow a similar strategy and calculation:
( 1 y 0 2 , 1 A ) ⋅ ( c ′ , d ′ , red , red ) = ( 1 y 0 2 , 1 A ) ( E 21 0 2 0 2 I 2 ) ⋅ ( c , d , red , red ) = ( E 21 0 2 0 2 I 2 ) ( 1 y 0 2 , 1 A ) ( 1 0 0 1 , 2 0 1 1 0 2 , 1 0 2 , 1 I 2 ) ⋅ ( c , d , red , red ) = ( c ′ , d ′ , red , red ) . \begin{aligned}
\begin{pmatrix}1&y\\0_{2,1}&A\end{pmatrix}\cdot(c',d',\operatorname{red},\operatorname{red})
=
\begin{pmatrix}1&y\\0_{2,1}&A\end{pmatrix}
\begin{pmatrix}E_{21}&0_2\\0_2&I_2\end{pmatrix}
\cdot(c,d,\operatorname{red},\operatorname{red}) \\
&=
\begin{pmatrix}E_{21}&0_2\\0_2&I_2\end{pmatrix}
\begin{pmatrix}1&y\\0_{2,1}&A\end{pmatrix}
\begin{pmatrix}1&0&0_{1,2}\\0&1&1\\0_{2,1}&0_{2,1}&I_2\end{pmatrix}
\cdot(c,d,\operatorname{red},\operatorname{red}) \\
&=(c',d',\operatorname{red},\operatorname{red}).
\end{aligned} ( 1 0 2 , 1 y A ) ⋅ ( c ′ , d ′ , red , red ) = ( 1 0 2 , 1 y A ) ( E 21 0 2 0 2 I 2 ) ⋅ ( c , d , red , red ) = ( E 21 0 2 0 2 I 2 ) ( 1 0 2 , 1 y A ) 1 0 0 2 , 1 0 1 0 2 , 1 0 1 , 2 1 I 2 ⋅ ( c , d , red , red ) = ( c ′ , d ′ , red , red ) .
In the last equation, the second and third matrices act trivially because c , d ∈ C V c,d\in C_V c , d ∈ C V . Since the action is local, the above computation implies that the stabilizer of the vector v c ′ = ( c ′ , red , red ) v_{c'}=(c',\operatorname{red},\operatorname{red}) v c ′ = ( c ′ , red , red ) is P V P_V P V . Therefore c ′ ∈ C V c'\in C_V c ′ ∈ C V as required. □ \square □
Orbits of pure colors
The goal of this section is classify the restriction of the GL n ( F q ) \operatorname{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) GL n ( F q ) -action to the orbit of a single vector of the form v c = ( c , red , … , red ) ∈ C n v_c=(c,\operatorname{red},\ldots,\operatorname{red})\in C^n v c = ( c , red , … , red ) ∈ C n for a pure color c ∈ C c\in C c ∈ C .
The action of the group GL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{GL}_\infty(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) on the product space C N C^{\mathbb{N}} C N induces an action of its commutative subgroup GL 1 ( F q ) ≅ F q × \operatorname{GL}_1(\mathbb{F}_q)\cong\mathbb{F}_q^\times GL 1 ( F q ) ≅ F q × on the set of colors C C C . We write this action as α ⋅ c \alpha\cdot c α ⋅ c for α ∈ F q × \alpha\in\mathbb{F}_q^\times α ∈ F q × and c ∈ C c\in C c ∈ C . By Assumption (1) of Theorem 3.2 and by fact the action is local, we have α ⋅ red = red \alpha\cdot\operatorname{red}=\operatorname{red} α ⋅ red = red for all α ∈ F q × \alpha\in\mathbb{F}_q^\times α ∈ F q × . We extend this by setting 0 ⋅ c = red 0\cdot c=\operatorname{red} 0 ⋅ c = red for all c ∈ C c\in C c ∈ C .
We now claim that the GL 1 ( F q ) \operatorname{GL}_1(\mathbb{F}_q) GL 1 ( F q ) -action on the set of colors C C C preserves vertical and horizontal colors. To see this, consider the scalar matrix α I = D 1 ( α ) ⋯ D n ( α ) ∈ GL n ( F q ) \alpha I=D_1(\alpha)\cdots D_n(\alpha)\in\operatorname{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) α I = D 1 ( α ) ⋯ D n ( α ) ∈ GL n ( F q ) with α ∈ F q × \alpha\in\mathbb{F}_q^\times α ∈ F q × . On the one hand, we have α I ⋅ v c = v α ⋅ c \alpha I\cdot v_c=v_{\alpha\cdot c} α I ⋅ v c = v α ⋅ c for any and color c ∈ C c\in C c ∈ C , as each matrix D i ( α ) D_i(\alpha) D i ( α ) acts locally on the i i i -th coordinate via the above action of GL 1 ( F q ) \operatorname{GL}_1(\mathbb{F}_q) GL 1 ( F q ) . On the other hand, the matrix α I \alpha I α I normalizes the three subgroups P V P_V P V , P H P_H P H and GL n − 1 ( F q ) \operatorname{GL}_{n-1}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL n − 1 ( F q ) . The claim follows. In addition, this action is free on C ∖ { r e d } C \setminus\{\mathrm{red}\} C ∖ { red } by Assumption (2) of Theorem 3.2 . We later extend it to an F q \mathbb{F}_q F q -vector space structure on C V C_V C V and on C H C_H C H .
Proposition 3.7. Let n ≥ 3 n \ge3 n ≥ 3 . Let c ∈ C c \in C c ∈ C be a pure color. Let
O c = { ρ } ∪ GL n ( F q ) ⋅ v c ⊆ C n O_c = \{\rho\} \cup\operatorname{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) \cdot v_c \subseteq C^n O c = { ρ } ∪ GL n ( F q ) ⋅ v c ⊆ C n be the orbit of v c v_c v c in C n C^n C n together with the distinguished vector ρ = ( r e d , … , r e d ) \rho= (\mathrm{red},\ldots,\mathrm{red}) ρ = ( red , … , red ) . Let
T c = F q ⋅ c ⊆ C T_c = \mathbb{F}_q \cdot c \subseteq C T c = F q ⋅ c ⊆ C be the set of multiples of c c c . Let θ c : T c → F q \theta_c : T_c \to\mathbb{F}_q θ c : T c → F q be the bijection sending α ⋅ c \alpha\cdot c α ⋅ c to α \alpha α . If c c c is vertical (resp. horizontal) then T c ⊆ C V T_c \subseteq C_V T c ⊆ C V (resp. T c ⊆ C H T_c \subseteq C_H T c ⊆ C H ) and O c O_c O c equals the Cartesian power T c n T_c^n T c n as a subset of C n C^n C n . In addition, the bijection θ c n : O c = T c n → F q n \theta_c^n : O_c = T_c^n \to\mathbb{F}_q^n θ c n : O c = T c n → F q n is GL n ( F q ) \operatorname{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) GL n ( F q ) -equivariant, where the group acts on F q n \mathbb{F}_q^n F q n via the standard (resp. dual) action.
Proof. Let c ∈ C V c \in C_V c ∈ C V be a vertical color. The orbit GL n ( F q ) ⋅ v c \operatorname{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) \cdot v_c GL n ( F q ) ⋅ v c is GL n ( F q ) \operatorname{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) GL n ( F q ) -equivariantly isomorphic to GL n ( F q ) / P V ≅ F q n ∖ { 0 } \operatorname{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q)/P_V \cong\mathbb{F}_q^n \setminus\{0\} GL n ( F q ) / P V ≅ F q n ∖ { 0 } with the standard GL n ( F q ) \operatorname{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) GL n ( F q ) -action. This isomorphism sends to vector v c v_c v c to e 1 e^1 e 1 . Both points ρ ∈ O c \rho\in O_c ρ ∈ O c and 0 ∈ F q n 0 \in\mathbb{F}_q^n 0 ∈ F q n are fixed by GL n ( F q ) \operatorname{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) GL n ( F q ) . We may extend the above and define a GL n ( F q ) \operatorname{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) GL n ( F q ) -equivariant isomorphism φ c : O c → F q n \varphi_c : O_c \to\mathbb{F}_q^n φ c : O c → F q n with φ c ( ρ ) = 0 \varphi_c(\rho) = 0 φ c ( ρ ) = 0 and φ c ( v c ) = e 1 \varphi_c(v_c) = e^1 φ c ( v c ) = e 1 .
The fact that T c ⊆ C V T_c \subseteq C_V T c ⊆ C V (resp. T c ⊆ C H T_c \subseteq C_H T c ⊆ C H ) has been established in the discussion preceding this proposition. We will show that O c = T c n O_c = T_c^n O c = T c n and that the map φ c \varphi_c φ c coincides with θ c n \theta_c^n θ c n . We start with two claims.
Claim. Let 1 ≤ i , j ≤ n 1 \le i,j \le n 1 ≤ i , j ≤ n . A point γ ∈ O c ⊆ C n \gamma\in O_c \subseteq C^n γ ∈ O c ⊆ C n has γ i = γ j \gamma_i = \gamma_j γ i = γ j if and only if φ c ( γ ) i = φ c ( γ ) j \varphi_c(\gamma)_i = \varphi_c(\gamma)_j φ c ( γ ) i = φ c ( γ ) j .
Proof. The GL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{GL}_\infty(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) -action is permutational. This means that γ i = γ j \gamma_i = \gamma_j γ i = γ j if and only if σ i j ⋅ γ = γ \sigma_{ij} \cdot\gamma= \gamma σ ij ⋅ γ = γ . As the map φ c \varphi_c φ c is equivariant, this happens if and only if σ i j φ c ( γ ) = φ c ( γ ) \sigma_{ij}\varphi_c(\gamma) = \varphi_c(\gamma) σ ij φ c ( γ ) = φ c ( γ ) . The latter is equivalent to φ c ( γ ) i = φ c ( γ ) j \varphi_c(\gamma)_i = \varphi_c(\gamma)_j φ c ( γ ) i = φ c ( γ ) j .
Claim. Any pure color d ∈ C V d \in C_V d ∈ C V satisfies E 21 ⋅ ( d , r e d ) = ( d , d ) E_{21} \cdot(d,\mathrm{red}) = (d,d) E 21 ⋅ ( d , red ) = ( d , d ) .
Proof. Let d ∈ C V d \in C_V d ∈ C V be a pure color. If d = r e d d = \mathrm{red} d = red then E 21 ⋅ ( r e d , r e d ) = ( r e d , r e d ) E_{21} \cdot(\mathrm{red},\mathrm{red}) = (\mathrm{red},\mathrm{red}) E 21 ⋅ ( red , red ) = ( red , red ) by Assumption (1) of Theorem 3.2 , in which case the claim holds. We assume from now on d ≠ r e d d \ne\mathrm{red} d = red .
Recall that we identify GL 2 ( F q ) \operatorname{GL}_2(\mathbb{F}_q) GL 2 ( F q ) -equivariantly the set C 2 C^2 C 2 with the subset of vectors in C n C^n C n whose 3 , … , n 3,\ldots,n 3 , … , n -th entries are red. In particular ( d , r e d ) (d,\mathrm{red}) ( d , red ) is identified with the vector v d v_d v d . Let φ d : O d → F q n \varphi_d : O_d \to\mathbb{F}_q^n φ d : O d → F q n be the isomorphism constructed above with respect to the pure color d d d . So φ d ( ( d , r e d ) ) = φ d ( v d ) = e 1 \varphi_d((d,\mathrm{red})) = \varphi_d(v_d) = e^1 φ d (( d , red )) = φ d ( v d ) = e 1 . Since E 21 e 1 = e 1 + e 2 E_{21}e^1 = e^1 + e^2 E 21 e 1 = e 1 + e 2 we may write
E 21 ⋅ ( d , r e d ) = ( d ′ , d ′ ) E_{21} \cdot(d,\mathrm{red}) = (d',d') E 21 ⋅ ( d , red ) = ( d ′ , d ′ )
for some color d ′ ∈ C d' \in C d ′ ∈ C . By Theorem 3.6 we have d ′ ∈ C V d' \in C_V d ′ ∈ C V . By the same argument, there is some color d ′ ′ ∈ C V d'' \in C_V d ′′ ∈ C V such that
E 21 ⋅ ( d ′ , r e d ) = ( d ′ ′ , d ′ ′ ) . E_{21} \cdot(d',\mathrm{red}) = (d'',d''). E 21 ⋅ ( d ′ , red ) = ( d ′′ , d ′′ ) .
Altogether, we get
E 21 E 31 ⋅ ( d , r e d , r e d ) = E 21 ⋅ ( d ′ , r e d , d ′ ) = ( d ′ ′ , d ′ ′ , d ′ ) . (7) E_{21}E_{31} \cdot(d,\mathrm{red},\mathrm{red}) = E_{21} \cdot(d',\mathrm{red},d') = (d'',d'',d'). \tag*{(7)} E 21 E 31 ⋅ ( d , red , red ) = E 21 ⋅ ( d ′ , red , d ′ ) = ( d ′′ , d ′′ , d ′ ) . (7)
On the other hand, applying φ d \varphi_d φ d to this equation and using equivariance gives
φ d ( E 21 E 31 ⋅ ( d , r e d , r e d ) ) = E 21 E 31 e 1 = ( 1 , 1 , 1 ) t . \varphi_d\bigl(E_{21}E_{31} \cdot(d,\mathrm{red},\mathrm{red})\bigr) = E_{21}E_{31}e^1 = (1,1,1)^t. φ d ( E 21 E 31 ⋅ ( d , red , red ) ) = E 21 E 31 e 1 = ( 1 , 1 , 1 ) t .
Thus the colors appearing on the right-hand side of eq. (7) are equal to each other, namely d ′ = d ′ ′ d' = d'' d ′ = d ′′ . This gives
E 21 ⋅ ( d , r e d ) = E 21 ⋅ ( d ′ , r e d ) . E_{21} \cdot(d,\mathrm{red}) = E_{21} \cdot(d',\mathrm{red}). E 21 ⋅ ( d , red ) = E 21 ⋅ ( d ′ , red ) .
We obtain d = d ′ d = d' d = d ′ as required.
To ease notations, and having the color c c c fixed, we will write from now onward O = O c O=O_c O = O c , T = T c T=T_c T = T c , φ = φ c \varphi=\varphi_c φ = φ c and θ = θ c \theta=\theta_c θ = θ c . We proceed to show that O = T n O=T^n O = T n and that φ = θ n \varphi=\theta^n φ = θ n . Notice that by size considerations, it is enough to show the containment T n ⊆ O T^n\subseteq O T n ⊆ O .
Consider a point γ ∈ T n \gamma\in T^n γ ∈ T n . We wish to show that γ ∈ O \gamma\in O γ ∈ O and φ ( γ ) = ( θ ( γ i ) ) i \varphi(\gamma)=(\theta(\gamma_i))_i φ ( γ ) = ( θ ( γ i ) ) i for all 1 ≤ i ≤ n 1\leq i\leq n 1 ≤ i ≤ n . We will show this by induction on the number of non-red entries in γ \gamma γ . The case where there are no such entries (i.e. γ = ρ \gamma=\rho γ = ρ ) is trivial. If γ \gamma γ contains a single non-red color d ∈ T c d\in T_c d ∈ T c , say at the index 1 ≤ i ≤ n 1\leq i\leq n 1 ≤ i ≤ n , then
γ = σ 1 i ⋅ v d = σ 1 i D 1 ( θ ( d ) ) ⋅ v c ∈ O , \gamma=\sigma_{1i}\cdot v_d=\sigma_{1i}D_1(\theta(d))\cdot v_c\in O, γ = σ 1 i ⋅ v d = σ 1 i D 1 ( θ ( d )) ⋅ v c ∈ O ,
and
φ ( γ ) = φ ( σ 1 i D 1 ( θ ( d ) ) ⋅ v c ) = σ 1 i D 1 ( θ ( d ) ) e 1 = ( 0 , … , θ ( d ) , … , 0 ) t \varphi(\gamma)=\varphi(\sigma_{1i}D_1(\theta(d))\cdot v_c)=\sigma_{1i}D_1(\theta(d))e_1=(0,\ldots,\theta(d),\ldots,0)^t φ ( γ ) = φ ( σ 1 i D 1 ( θ ( d )) ⋅ v c ) = σ 1 i D 1 ( θ ( d )) e 1 = ( 0 , … , θ ( d ) , … , 0 ) t
as required.
For the induction step, suppose two entries γ i \gamma_i γ i and γ j \gamma_j γ j are non-red for some 1 ≤ i ≠ j ≤ n 1\leq i\neq j\leq n 1 ≤ i = j ≤ n . Let α ∈ F q \alpha\in\mathbb{F}_q α ∈ F q be a scalar such that α ⋅ γ j = γ i \alpha\cdot\gamma_j=\gamma_i α ⋅ γ j = γ i . Then the application D j ( α ) ⋅ γ D_j(\alpha)\cdot\gamma D j ( α ) ⋅ γ has equal entries in its i i i -th and j j j -th indices. By the second claim above, we see that the vector E i j − 1 D j ( α ) ⋅ γ E_{ij}^{-1}D_j(\alpha)\cdot\gamma E ij − 1 D j ( α ) ⋅ γ has exactly one more red entry than the vector γ \gamma γ . By the induction hypothesis, we get E i j − 1 D j ( α ) ⋅ γ ∈ O E_{ij}^{-1}D_j(\alpha)\cdot\gamma\in O E ij − 1 D j ( α ) ⋅ γ ∈ O , and so also γ ∈ O \gamma\in O γ ∈ O . The induction hypothesis gives:
φ ( γ ) = D j ( α − 1 ) E i j φ ( E i j − 1 D j ( α ) ⋅ γ ) = D j ( α − 1 ) E i j ( θ ( γ 1 ) , … , 0 , … , θ ( γ i ) , … , θ ( γ n ) ) t = ( θ ( γ k ) ) k , \begin{aligned}
\varphi(\gamma)=D_j(\alpha^{-1})E_{ij}\varphi(E_{ij}^{-1}D_j(\alpha)\cdot\gamma) \\
&=D_j(\alpha^{-1})E_{ij}(\theta(\gamma_1),\ldots,0,\ldots,\theta(\gamma_i),\ldots,\theta(\gamma_n))^t=(\theta(\gamma_k))_k,
\end{aligned} φ ( γ ) = D j ( α − 1 ) E ij φ ( E ij − 1 D j ( α ) ⋅ γ ) = D j ( α − 1 ) E ij ( θ ( γ 1 ) , … , 0 , … , θ ( γ i ) , … , θ ( γ n ) ) t = ( θ ( γ k ) ) k ,
as required.
Lastly, the case where c ∈ C H c\in C_H c ∈ C H is entirely analogous. This time GL n ( F q ) / P H ≅ F q n ∖ { 0 } \operatorname{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q)/P_H\cong\mathbb{F}_q^n\setminus\{0\} GL n ( F q ) / P H ≅ F q n ∖ { 0 } , and the group GL n ( F q ) \operatorname{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) GL n ( F q ) is acting on the latter space via the dual action. □
Vector space structure on pure colors
We define an addition operator on the set C V C_V C V of vertical colors and on the set C H C_H C H of horizontal colors. For each pair of vertical colors c , d ∈ C V c,d\in C_V c , d ∈ C V we set c + d = d ′ c+d=d' c + d = d ′ where
E 21 ⋅ ( c , d ) = ( c ′ , d ′ ) ∈ C 2 . E_{21}\cdot(c,d)=(c',d')\in C^2. E 21 ⋅ ( c , d ) = ( c ′ , d ′ ) ∈ C 2 .
For a pair of horizontal colors c , d ∈ C H c,d\in C_H c , d ∈ C H we set c + d = d ′ c+d=d' c + d = d ′ where
E 12 − 1 ⋅ ( c , d ) = ( c ′ , d ′ ) ∈ C 2 . E_{12}^{-1}\cdot(c,d)=(c',d')\in C^2. E 12 − 1 ⋅ ( c , d ) = ( c ′ , d ′ ) ∈ C 2 .
Notice that by Theorem 3.6, in both cases the result c + d c+d c + d has the same color type as c c c and d d d .
Proposition 3.8. The operations + : C V × C V → C V +:C_V\times C_V\to C_V + : C V × C V → C V and F q × C V → C V \mathbb{F}_q\times C_V\to C_V F q × C V → C V endow C V C_V C V with an F q \mathbb{F}_q F q -vector space structure. The red color is the zero vector. The action of GL n ( F q ) \operatorname{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) GL n ( F q ) on C V n C_V^n C V n corresponds to the standard action. The same result holds for C H C_H C H , and the action of GL n ( F q ) \operatorname{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) GL n ( F q ) on C H n C_H^n C H n corresponds to the dual action.
Proof. We verify the vector space axioms over F q \mathbb{F}_q F q on the set C V C_V C V . Let c , d ∈ C V c,d\in C_V c , d ∈ C V be a pair of pure colors. These colors satisfy
E 31 E 32 ⋅ ( c , d , r e d ) = E 31 ⋅ ( c , d , d ) = ( c ′ , d , c + d ) E_{31}E_{32}\cdot(c,d,\mathrm{red})=E_{31}\cdot(c,d,d)=(c',d,c+d) E 31 E 32 ⋅ ( c , d , red ) = E 31 ⋅ ( c , d , d ) = ( c ′ , d , c + d ) for some c ′ ∈ C V c'\in C_V c ′ ∈ C V . In the first equality we have used the second claim from the proof of Theorem 3.7 for some c 1 ′ , c 2 ′ ∈ C V c'_1,c'_2\in C_V c 1 ′ , c 2 ′ ∈ C V . Since the matrices E 32 E_{32} E 32 and E 31 E_{31} E 31 commute, applying E 32 E 31 E_{32}E_{31} E 32 E 31 to the same vector gives d + c d+c d + c in the third entry. It follows that addition is commutative.
We check associativity of addition. Let c 1 , c 2 , c 3 ∈ C V c_1,c_2,c_3\in C_V c 1 , c 2 , c 3 ∈ C V be three pure colors. They satisfy
E 41 E 42 E 43 ⋅ ( c 1 , c 2 , c 3 , r e d ) = ( c 1 ′ , c 2 ′ , c 3 , c 1 + ( c 2 + c 3 ) ) . E_{41}E_{42}E_{43}\cdot(c_1,c_2,c_3,\mathrm{red})=(c'_1,c'_2,c_3,c_1+(c_2+c_3)). E 41 E 42 E 43 ⋅ ( c 1 , c 2 , c 3 , red ) = ( c 1 ′ , c 2 ′ , c 3 , c 1 + ( c 2 + c 3 )) .
Since all these elementary matrices commute, the application of E 43 E 41 E 42 E_{43}E_{41}E_{42} E 43 E 41 E 42 to ( c 1 , c 2 , c 3 , r e d ) (c_1,c_2,c_3,\mathrm{red}) ( c 1 , c 2 , c 3 , red ) gives the same result. It follows that
c 1 + ( c 2 + c 3 ) = c 3 + ( c 1 + c 2 ) = ( c 1 + c 2 ) + c 3 c_1+(c_2+c_3)=c_3+(c_1+c_2)=(c_1+c_2)+c_3 c 1 + ( c 2 + c 3 ) = c 3 + ( c 1 + c 2 ) = ( c 1 + c 2 ) + c 3
as required. Further, by Theorem 3.7, the distinguished color r e d ∈ C V \mathrm{red}\in C_V red ∈ C V is the additive identity and ( − 1 ) ⋅ c (-1)\cdot c ( − 1 ) ⋅ c is the additive inverse. This shows that ( C V , + ) (C_V,+) ( C V , + ) is an abelian group.
We consider the axioms of the scalar multiplication. Let α , β ∈ F q \alpha,\beta\in\mathbb{F}_q α , β ∈ F q be a pair of scalars. The facts that α ⋅ ( β ⋅ c ) = ( α β ) ⋅ c \alpha\cdot(\beta\cdot c)=(\alpha\beta)\cdot c α ⋅ ( β ⋅ c ) = ( α β ) ⋅ c and that 1 ⋅ c = c 1\cdot c=c 1 ⋅ c = c follows from the construction of the action. Next, note that Theorem 3.7 gives
( α α + β ) = ( α 0 α + β β ) e 1 = θ c ( E 21 D 1 ( α ) D 2 ( β ) E 21 − 1 ⋅ v c ) = θ c ( ( c ′ , α ⋅ c + β ⋅ c ) ) . \begin{pmatrix}\alpha\\ \alpha+\beta\end{pmatrix}
=
\begin{pmatrix}\alpha&0\\ \alpha+\beta&\beta\end{pmatrix}e_1
=
\theta_c(E_{21}D_1(\alpha)D_2(\beta)E_{21}^{-1}\cdot v_c)
=
\theta_c((c',\alpha\cdot c+\beta\cdot c)). ( α α + β ) = ( α α + β 0 β ) e 1 = θ c ( E 21 D 1 ( α ) D 2 ( β ) E 21 − 1 ⋅ v c ) = θ c (( c ′ , α ⋅ c + β ⋅ c )) .
This implies the axiom ( α + β ) ⋅ c = α ⋅ c + β ⋅ c (\alpha+\beta)\cdot c=\alpha\cdot c+\beta\cdot c ( α + β ) ⋅ c = α ⋅ c + β ⋅ c . Similarly, the fact that the diagonal matrix α I \alpha I α I commutes with E 21 E_{21} E 21 gives
( α ⋅ c ′ ′ , α ⋅ ( c + d ) ) = ( α I 2 ) E 21 ⋅ ( c , d ) = E 21 ( α I 2 ) ⋅ ( c , d ) = E 21 ⋅ ( α ⋅ c , α ⋅ d ) = ( c ′ , α ⋅ c + α ⋅ d ) . (\alpha\cdot c'',\alpha\cdot(c+d))=(\alpha I_2)E_{21}\cdot(c,d)=E_{21}(\alpha I_2)\cdot(c,d)=E_{21}\cdot(\alpha\cdot c,\alpha\cdot d)=(c',\alpha\cdot c+\alpha\cdot d). ( α ⋅ c ′′ , α ⋅ ( c + d )) = ( α I 2 ) E 21 ⋅ ( c , d ) = E 21 ( α I 2 ) ⋅ ( c , d ) = E 21 ⋅ ( α ⋅ c , α ⋅ d ) = ( c ′ , α ⋅ c + α ⋅ d ) .
The distributivity axiom α ⋅ ( c + d ) = α ⋅ c + α ⋅ d \alpha\cdot(c+d)=\alpha\cdot c+\alpha\cdot d α ⋅ ( c + d ) = α ⋅ c + α ⋅ d follows. Hence C V C_V C V is a vector space over F q \mathbb{F}_q F q .
It remains to show that the subset C V n C_V^n C V n is G L n ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) GL n ( F q ) -invariant, and that the G L n ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) GL n ( F q ) -action on C V n C_V^n C V n corresponds to the standard action on F q n \mathbb{F}_q^n F q n . Both facts are true for permutation matrices by the assumption that the action is permutational. They are also true for diagonal matrices of the form D i ( α ) D_i(\alpha) D i ( α ) by definition. The subset C V n C_V^n C V n is invariant under elementary matrices by Theorem 3.6. Since the group G L n ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) GL n ( F q ) is generated by the E i j E_{ij} E ij 's and the D i ( α ) D_i(\alpha) D i ( α ) 's for 1 ≤ i , j ≤ n 1\leq i,j\leq n 1 ≤ i , j ≤ n and α ∈ F q × \alpha\in\mathbb{F}_q^\times α ∈ F q × , we conclude that C V n C_V^n C V n is indeed G L n ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) GL n ( F q ) -invariant.
It remains to show that the action of the elementary matrices E i j E_{ij} E ij on C V n C_V^n C V n corresponds to the standard action. Since all elementary matrices are conjugate by permutation matrices, it suffices to show this for a single elementary matrix E 21 E_{21} E 21 . Recall that c , d ∈ C V c,d\in C_V c , d ∈ C V is a pair of pure colors. Let c ′ ∈ C c'\in C c ′ ∈ C be a color such that
E 21 ⋅ ( c , d ) = ( c ′ , c + d ) . E_{21}\cdot(c,d)=(c',c+d). E 21 ⋅ ( c , d ) = ( c ′ , c + d ) .
We need to show that c ′ = c c'=c c ′ = c . By Theorem 3.6 we know that c ′ ∈ C V c'\in C_V c ′ ∈ C V . Now calculate:
E 21 − 1 E 31 E 21 ⋅ ( c , d , r e d ) = E 21 − 1 E 31 ⋅ ( c ′ , c + d , r e d ) = E 21 − 1 ⋅ ( c ′ , c + d , c ′ ) = ( c , d , c ′ ) . E_{21}^{-1}E_{31}E_{21}\cdot(c,d,\mathrm{red})=E_{21}^{-1}E_{31}\cdot(c',c+d,\mathrm{red})=E_{21}^{-1}\cdot(c',c+d,c')=(c,d,c'). E 21 − 1 E 31 E 21 ⋅ ( c , d , red ) = E 21 − 1 E 31 ⋅ ( c ′ , c + d , red ) = E 21 − 1 ⋅ ( c ′ , c + d , c ′ ) = ( c , d , c ′ ) .
The two matrices E 21 E_{21} E 21 and E 31 E_{31} E 31 commute. Hence the above is equal to
E 31 ⋅ ( c , d , r e d ) = ( c , d , c ) . E_{31}\cdot(c,d,\mathrm{red})=(c,d,c). E 31 ⋅ ( c , d , red ) = ( c , d , c ) .
We conclude that c = c ′ c=c' c = c ′ , as required. This finishes the case of vertical pure colors. The case of the horizontal pure colors C H C_H C H is entirely analogous, except that the action on C H n C_H^n C H n corresponds to the dual action of G L n ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) GL n ( F q ) .
Colors as products of pure colors
In this section we prove Theorem 3.2 . By Theorem 3.8 the sets C V C_V C V and C H C_H C H of pure colors are vector spaces over F q \mathbb{F}_q F q , and G L n ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) GL n ( F q ) acts on C V n C_V^n C V n and on C H n C_H^n C H n by the standard and the dual action respectively. It remains is to identify the set of all colors C C C with the direct product C V × C H C_V\times C_H C V × C H . The following lemma is a first step in this direction. It adds more information to Theorem 3.6.
Lemma 3.9. Let c ∈ C c\in C c ∈ C be any color. Then
E 21 ⋅ ( c , r e d ) = ( c , d ) E_{21}\cdot(c,\mathrm{red})=(c,d) E 21 ⋅ ( c , red ) = ( c , d ) and
E 12 − 1 ⋅ ( c , r e d ) = ( c , d ′ ) E_{12}^{-1}\cdot(c,\mathrm{red})=(c,d') E 12 − 1 ⋅ ( c , red ) = ( c , d ′ ) for some pure colors d ∈ C V d\in C_V d ∈ C V and d ′ ∈ C H d'\in C_H d ′ ∈ C H .
Proof. We prove only the first assertion for E 21 E_{21} E 21 and C V C_V C V , the second assertion for E 12 − 1 E_{12}^{-1} E 12 − 1 and C H C_H C H being analogous (and its proof is obtained by applying transpose inverse to all the matrices involved). Write E 21 − 1 ⋅ ( c , r e d ) = ( c 1 , d ) E_{21}^{-1} \cdot(c,\mathrm{red}) = (c_1,d) E 21 − 1 ⋅ ( c , red ) = ( c 1 , d ) for some c 1 ∈ C c_1 \in C c 1 ∈ C color. By Theorem 3.6 we know d ∈ C V d \in C_V d ∈ C V . Our goal is to show c = c 1 c=c_1 c = c 1 . Define the colors c 2 , c 3 , d 2 , d 3 ∈ C c_2,c_3,d_2,d_3 \in C c 2 , c 3 , d 2 , d 3 ∈ C according to the calculation
E 21 − 1 E 31 E 21 ⋅ ( c , r e d , r e d ) = E 21 − 1 E 31 ⋅ ( c 1 , d , r e d ) = E 21 − 1 ⋅ ( c 2 , d , d 2 ) = ( c 3 , d 3 , d 2 ) . (8) E_{21}^{-1}E_{31}E_{21}\cdot(c,\mathrm{red},\mathrm{red})=E_{21}^{-1}E_{31}\cdot(c_1,d,\mathrm{red})=E_{21}^{-1}\cdot(c_2,d,d_2)=(c_3,d_3,d_2). \tag*{(8)} E 21 − 1 E 31 E 21 ⋅ ( c , red , red ) = E 21 − 1 E 31 ⋅ ( c 1 , d , red ) = E 21 − 1 ⋅ ( c 2 , d , d 2 ) = ( c 3 , d 3 , d 2 ) . (8)
The matrices E 21 E_{21} E 21 and E 31 E_{31} E 31 commute, so that E 21 − 1 E 31 E 21 = E 31 E_{21}^{-1}E_{31}E_{21}=E_{31} E 21 − 1 E 31 E 21 = E 31 . We get
( c 3 , d 3 , d 2 ) = ( c 1 , r e d , d ) . (c_3,d_3,d_2)=(c_1,\mathrm{red},d). ( c 3 , d 3 , d 2 ) = ( c 1 , red , d ) .
Hence, the right-most equality in eq. (8) implies that
E 21 ⋅ ( c 1 , r e d ) = ( c 2 , d ) . E_{21}\cdot(c_1,\mathrm{red})=(c_2,d). E 21 ⋅ ( c 1 , red ) = ( c 2 , d ) .
Next, we have the following, where the right-most equality uses the second claim from the proof of Theorem 3.7 applied for d ∈ C V d \in C_V d ∈ C V :
E 32 − 1 E 31 E 21 ⋅ ( c , r e d , r e d ) = E 32 − 1 E 31 ⋅ ( c 1 , d , r e d ) = E 32 − 1 ⋅ ( c 2 , d , d ) = ( c 2 , d , r e d ) . E_{32}^{-1}E_{31}E_{21}\cdot(c,\mathrm{red},\mathrm{red})=E_{32}^{-1}E_{31}\cdot(c_1,d,\mathrm{red})=E_{32}^{-1}\cdot(c_2,d,d)=(c_2,d,\mathrm{red}). E 32 − 1 E 31 E 21 ⋅ ( c , red , red ) = E 32 − 1 E 31 ⋅ ( c 1 , d , red ) = E 32 − 1 ⋅ ( c 2 , d , d ) = ( c 2 , d , red ) .
The standard commutator identity [ E 32 , E 21 ] = E 31 [E_{32},E_{21}]=E_{31} [ E 32 , E 21 ] = E 31 can be rewritten as
E 32 − 1 E 31 E 21 = E 21 E 32 − 1 . E_{32}^{-1}E_{31}E_{21}=E_{21}E_{32}^{-1}. E 32 − 1 E 31 E 21 = E 21 E 32 − 1 .
Acting with the matrix on right-hand side of the above on the vector ( c , r e d , r e d ) (c,\mathrm{red},\mathrm{red}) ( c , red , red ) gives ( c 1 , d , r e d ) (c_1,d,\mathrm{red}) ( c 1 , d , red ) . Hence c 1 = c 2 c_1=c_2 c 1 = c 2 . Further
E 21 ⋅ ( c , r e d ) = ( c 1 , d ) = ( c 2 , d ) = E 21 ⋅ ( c 1 , r e d ) E_{21}\cdot(c,\mathrm{red})=(c_1,d)=(c_2,d)=E_{21}\cdot(c_1,\mathrm{red}) E 21 ⋅ ( c , red ) = ( c 1 , d ) = ( c 2 , d ) = E 21 ⋅ ( c 1 , red )
so that c = c 1 c=c_1 c = c 1 , as required. □
Note that Theorem 3.9 shows in particular that pure colors do exist.
Proof of Theorem 3.2 . We define a map
π : C → C V × C H \pi:C\to C_V\times C_H π : C → C V × C H
as follows. For each color c ∈ C c\in C c ∈ C set
E 21 ⋅ ( c , r e d ) = ( c , π V ( c ) ) and E 12 − 1 ⋅ ( c , r e d ) = ( c , π H ( c ) ) . E_{21}\cdot(c,\mathrm{red})=(c,\pi_V(c))\quad\text{and}\quad E_{12}^{-1}\cdot(c,\mathrm{red})=(c,\pi_H(c)). E 21 ⋅ ( c , red ) = ( c , π V ( c )) and E 12 − 1 ⋅ ( c , red ) = ( c , π H ( c )) .
Note that the first entries in the above pairs are equal to c c c by Theorem 3.9. The desired map π \pi π is defined by
π ( c ) = ( π V ( c ) , π H ( c ) ) \pi(c)=(\pi_V(c),\pi_H(c)) π ( c ) = ( π V ( c ) , π H ( c ))
for all c ∈ C c\in C c ∈ C . We claim that π \pi π is a bijection, and that its product π n : C n → C V n × C H n \pi^n:C^n\to C_V^n\times C_H^n π n : C n → C V n × C H n is GL n ( F q ) \operatorname{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) GL n ( F q ) -equivariant. Recall that we know by Theorem 3.8 that GL n ( F q ) \operatorname{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) GL n ( F q ) acts via the standard and dual action on C V n C_V^n C V n and on C H n C_H^n C H n , respectively. Hence we will be able to deduce that π N : C N → C V N × C H N ≅ V k , ℓ \pi^N:C^N\to C_V^N\times C_H^N\cong V^{k,\ell} π N : C N → C V N × C H N ≅ V k , ℓ is a GL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{GL}_\infty(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) -equivariant isomorphism, as required.
Let us first show that the product map π n \pi^n π n is GL n ( F q ) \operatorname{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) GL n ( F q ) -equivariant. Consider the matrix
Π V n = ( I n 0 n I n I n ) ∈ GL 2 n ( F q ) . \Pi_V^n=\begin{pmatrix}I_n&0_n\\I_n&I_n\end{pmatrix}\in\operatorname{GL}_{2n}(\mathbb{F}_q). Π V n = ( I n I n 0 n I n ) ∈ GL 2 n ( F q ) .
Denote as usual ρ = ( r e d , … , r e d ) ∈ C n \rho=(\mathrm{red},\ldots,\mathrm{red})\in C^n ρ = ( red , … , red ) ∈ C n so that ρ \rho ρ corresponds to the zero vector. Let γ ∈ C n \gamma\in C^n γ ∈ C n be arbitrary. Notice that we have
Π V n ⋅ ( γ , ρ ) = ( γ , π V n ( γ ) ) . \Pi_V^n\cdot(\gamma,\rho)=(\gamma,\pi^n_V(\gamma)). Π V n ⋅ ( γ , ρ ) = ( γ , π V n ( γ )) .
Let A ∈ GL n ( F q ) A\in\operatorname{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) A ∈ GL n ( F q ) be any matrix. We have on the one hand
( γ , A π V n ( γ ) ) = ( I n 0 n 0 n A ) Π V n ⋅ ( γ , ρ ) , (\gamma,A\pi^n_V(\gamma))=
\begin{pmatrix}I_n&0_n\\0_n&A\end{pmatrix}
\Pi_V^n\cdot(\gamma,\rho), ( γ , A π V n ( γ )) = ( I n 0 n 0 n A ) Π V n ⋅ ( γ , ρ ) ,
while on the other hand
( γ , π V n ( A ⋅ γ ) ) = ( A − 1 0 n 0 n I n ) Π V n ( A 0 n 0 n I n ) ⋅ ( γ , ρ ) . (\gamma,\pi^n_V(A\cdot\gamma))=
\begin{pmatrix}A^{-1}&0_n\\0_n&I_n\end{pmatrix}
\Pi_V^n
\begin{pmatrix}A&0_n\\0_n&I_n\end{pmatrix}
\cdot(\gamma,\rho). ( γ , π V n ( A ⋅ γ )) = ( A − 1 0 n 0 n I n ) Π V n ( A 0 n 0 n I n ) ⋅ ( γ , ρ ) .
Denote by M 1 M_1 M 1 and M 2 M_2 M 2 the two matrices being applied to the vector ( γ , ρ ) (\gamma,\rho) ( γ , ρ ) in the first and second equation above, respectively. M 1 M_1 M 1 and M 2 M_2 M 2 agree on ( γ , ρ ) (\gamma,\rho) ( γ , ρ ) if and only if M 2 − 1 M 1 M_2^{-1}M_1 M 2 − 1 M 1 fixes it. And indeed the matrix M 2 − 1 M 1 = ( I n 0 n 0 n A ) M_2^{-1}M_1=\begin{pmatrix}I_n&0_n\\0_n&A\end{pmatrix} M 2 − 1 M 1 = ( I n 0 n 0 n A ) fixes ( γ , ρ ) (\gamma,\rho) ( γ , ρ ) by Assumption (4) . We conclude that A π V n ( γ ) = π V n ( A ⋅ γ ) A\pi_V^n(\gamma)=\pi_V^n(A\cdot\gamma) A π V n ( γ ) = π V n ( A ⋅ γ ) , as required. An analogous argument applies to π H n \pi_H^n π H n .
Next, we wish to define a map ϕ : C V × C H → C \phi:C_V\times C_H\to C ϕ : C V × C H → C which will be a candidate for the inverse of π \pi π . To do so, consider the matrices
Φ 1 = E 23 − 1 E 31 and Φ 2 = E 31 E 23 − 1 . \Phi_1=E_{23}^{-1}E_{31}\qquad\text{and}\qquad\Phi_2=E_{31}E_{23}^{-1}. Φ 1 = E 23 − 1 E 31 and Φ 2 = E 31 E 23 − 1 .
Given a vertical c V ∈ C V c_V\in C_V c V ∈ C V and a horizontal c H ∈ C H c_H\in C_H c H ∈ C H pure color, we write
Φ 1 ⋅ ( c V , c H , red ) = ( c V , c H ′ , ϕ 1 ( c V , c H ) ) , Φ 2 ⋅ ( c V , c H , red ) = ( c V ′ , c H , ϕ 2 ( c V , c H ) ) , \Phi_1\cdot(c_V,c_H,\operatorname{red})=(c_V,c_H',\phi_1(c_V,c_H)),\qquad\Phi_2\cdot(c_V,c_H,\operatorname{red})=(c_V',c_H,\phi_2(c_V,c_H)), Φ 1 ⋅ ( c V , c H , red ) = ( c V , c H ′ , ϕ 1 ( c V , c H )) , Φ 2 ⋅ ( c V , c H , red ) = ( c V ′ , c H , ϕ 2 ( c V , c H )) ,
for some pair of maps ϕ 1 , ϕ 2 : C V × C H → C \phi_1,\phi_2:C_V\times C_H\to C ϕ 1 , ϕ 2 : C V × C H → C and colors c V ′ , c H ′ ∈ C c_V',c_H'\in C c V ′ , c H ′ ∈ C . In this notation, we have used the fact that Φ 1 \Phi_1 Φ 1 fixes the first entry, and Φ 2 \Phi_2 Φ 2 the second. Indeed, by Theorem 3.9 the factor E 31 E_{31} E 31 fixes the first entry and the factor E 23 − 1 E_{23}^{-1} E 23 − 1 fixes the second, and the remaining factor is supported away from that fixed entry.
We claim that ϕ 1 = ϕ 2 \phi_1=\phi_2 ϕ 1 = ϕ 2 . This is because
( c V , c H ′ , ϕ 1 ( c V , c H ) ) = Φ 1 ⋅ ( c V , c H , red ) = Φ 1 Φ 2 − 1 Φ 2 ⋅ ( c V , c H , red ) = E 21 − 1 ⋅ ( c V ′ , c H , ϕ 2 ( c V , c H ) ) (c_V,c_H',\phi_1(c_V,c_H))=\Phi_1\cdot(c_V,c_H,\operatorname{red})=\Phi_1\Phi_2^{-1}\Phi_2\cdot(c_V,c_H,\operatorname{red})=E_{21}^{-1}\cdot(c_V',c_H,\phi_2(c_V,c_H)) ( c V , c H ′ , ϕ 1 ( c V , c H )) = Φ 1 ⋅ ( c V , c H , red ) = Φ 1 Φ 2 − 1 Φ 2 ⋅ ( c V , c H , red ) = E 21 − 1 ⋅ ( c V ′ , c H , ϕ 2 ( c V , c H ))
and the support of E 21 − 1 E_{21}^{-1} E 21 − 1 is contained in the first two indices. This function will be denoted by ϕ \phi ϕ .
Now we show that ϕ = π − 1 \phi=\pi^{-1} ϕ = π − 1 . Let c V ∈ C V c_V\in C_V c V ∈ C V , c H ∈ C H c_H\in C_H c H ∈ C H , and c = ϕ ( c V , c H ) ∈ C c=\phi(c_V,c_H)\in C c = ϕ ( c V , c H ) ∈ C . We want to show that π V ( c ) = c V \pi_V(c)=c_V π V ( c ) = c V and π H ( c ) = c H \pi_H(c)=c_H π H ( c ) = c H . We apply E 43 E_{43} E 43 composed with Φ 1 \Phi_1 Φ 1 to ( c V , c H , red , red ) (c_V,c_H,\operatorname{red},\operatorname{red}) ( c V , c H , red , red ) to get
E 43 Φ 1 ⋅ ( c V , c H , red , red ) = ( c V , c H ′ , c , π V ( c ) ) . E_{43}\Phi_1\cdot(c_V,c_H,\operatorname{red},\operatorname{red})=(c_V,c_H',c,\pi_V(c)). E 43 Φ 1 ⋅ ( c V , c H , red , red ) = ( c V , c H ′ , c , π V ( c )) .
We argue that c V = π V ( c ) c_V=\pi_V(c) c V = π V ( c ) . To see this, we show that the permutation σ 14 \sigma_{14} σ 14 stabilizes the above vector. We calculate:
( E 43 Φ 1 ) − 1 σ 14 E 43 Φ 1 = ( 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 − 1 0 0 − 1 0 ) . (E_{43}\Phi_1)^{-1}\sigma_{14}E_{43}\Phi_1=
\begin{pmatrix}
1&0&1&1\\
0&1&0&0\\
0&0&0&-1\\
0&0&-1&0
\end{pmatrix}. ( E 43 Φ 1 ) − 1 σ 14 E 43 Φ 1 = 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 − 1 1 0 − 1 0 .
This matrix fixes the second coordinate and acts on the remaining ones, which all lie in C V C_V C V , by the standard action. Hence it stabilizes ( c V , c H , red , red ) (c_V,c_H,\operatorname{red},\operatorname{red}) ( c V , c H , red , red ) , as required. An analogous calculation shows π H ( c ) = c H \pi_H(c)=c_H π H ( c ) = c H . And so π ∘ ϕ = id \pi\circ\phi=\operatorname{id} π ∘ ϕ = id .
To show ϕ ∘ π = id \phi\circ\pi=\operatorname{id} ϕ ∘ π = id , consider a color c ∈ C c\in C c ∈ C . The matrix
Π = E 13 − 1 E 21 = ( 1 0 − 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 ) \Pi=E_{13}^{-1}E_{21}=
\begin{pmatrix}
1&0&-1\\
1&1&0\\
0&0&1
\end{pmatrix} Π = E 13 − 1 E 21 = 1 1 0 0 1 0 − 1 0 1
has the effect of applying both maps π V \pi_V π V and π H \pi_H π H , in the sense that
Π ⋅ ( c , red , red ) = ( c , π V ( c ) , π H ( c ) ) . \Pi\cdot(c,\operatorname{red},\operatorname{red})=(c,\pi_V(c),\pi_H(c)). Π ⋅ ( c , red , red ) = ( c , π V ( c ) , π H ( c )) .
Take the vector v c = ( c , red , red , red ) v_c=(c,\operatorname{red},\operatorname{red},\operatorname{red}) v c = ( c , red , red , red ) . Apply Π \Pi Π to its first three coordinates, and then Φ 1 \Phi_1 Φ 1 to its last three coordinates. The resulting vector’s first entry is c c c and its last entry is ϕ ( π ( c ) ) \phi(\pi(c)) ϕ ( π ( c )) . To show that these two are equal, it suffices to show that the permutation matrix σ 14 \sigma_{14} σ 14 stabilizes this vector. This amounts to showing that the matrix
( ( 1 0 3 0 3 Φ 1 ) ( Π 0 3 0 3 1 ) ) − 1 σ 14 ( ( 1 0 3 0 3 Φ 1 ) ( Π 0 3 0 3 1 ) ) = ( 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 − 1 0 − 1 0 − 1 − 1 0 ) \left(\begin{pmatrix}1&0_3\\0_3&\Phi_1\end{pmatrix}\begin{pmatrix}\Pi&0_3\\0_3&1\end{pmatrix}\right)^{-1}
\sigma_{14}
\left(\begin{pmatrix}1&0_3\\0_3&\Phi_1\end{pmatrix}\begin{pmatrix}\Pi&0_3\\0_3&1\end{pmatrix}\right)
=
\begin{pmatrix}
1&0&0&0\\
0&1&0&0\\
0&-1&0&-1\\
0&-1&-1&0
\end{pmatrix} ( ( 1 0 3 0 3 Φ 1 ) ( Π 0 3 0 3 1 ) ) − 1 σ 14 ( ( 1 0 3 0 3 Φ 1 ) ( Π 0 3 0 3 1 ) ) = 1 0 0 0 0 1 − 1 − 1 0 0 0 − 1 0 0 − 1 0
stabilizes v c v_c v c . The latter fact holds, since this matrix is of the form ( 1 0 3 0 3 B ) \begin{pmatrix}1&0_3\\0_3&B\end{pmatrix} ( 1 0 3 0 3 B ) , and B B B acts only on red entries. We conclude that ϕ ∘ π = id \phi\circ\pi=\operatorname{id} ϕ ∘ π = id and that π \pi π is a bijection.
By Theorem 3.8 the sets C V C_V C V and C H C_H C H are vector spaces over F q \mathbb{F}_q F q . So ∣ C V ∣ = q k |C_V| = q^k ∣ C V ∣ = q k and ∣ C H ∣ = q ℓ |C_H| = q^\ell ∣ C H ∣ = q ℓ for some k , ℓ ≥ 0 k,\ell\ge0 k , ℓ ≥ 0 . As π \pi π is a bijection, we must have q k + ℓ = ∣ C ∣ = q r q^{k+\ell} = |C| = q^r q k + ℓ = ∣ C ∣ = q r , so that k + ℓ = r k+\ell= r k + ℓ = r as required. Finally, the map π \pi π takes ρ \rho ρ to ( r e d , r e d ) ∈ C V × C H (\mathrm{red},\mathrm{red}) \in C_V \times C_H ( red , red ) ∈ C V × C H , which is the additive identity of the vector space. □ \square □
Invariant random subgroups and traces
In this section we recall the notions of invariant random subgroups and Thoma traces. In addition, we discuss the classification of these objects for the finitary alternating group A ∞ A_\infty A ∞ and analyze its Vershik trace map. This section is a summary of known results.
Invariant random subgroups
Invariant random subgroups. Let G G G be a countable discrete group. The Chabauty space of the group G G G is the set of its subgroups. It is denoted by
Sub ( G ) = { H : H ≤ G } . \operatorname{Sub}(G) = \{H : H \le G\}. Sub ( G ) = { H : H ≤ G } .
The space Sub ( G ) \operatorname{Sub}(G) Sub ( G ) is naturally a subset of the power set { 0 , 1 } G \{0,1\}^{G} { 0 , 1 } G . The latter is a metrizable compact space with the product topology. Being a closed subset, Sub ( G ) \operatorname{Sub}(G) Sub ( G ) inherits a metrizable compact topology from { 0 , 1 } G \{0,1\}^{G} { 0 , 1 } G . It is called the Chabauty topology . The group G G G acts on Sub ( G ) \operatorname{Sub}(G) Sub ( G ) continuously by conjugation, namely
g ⋅ H = g H g − 1 ∀ H ∈ Sub ( G ) , g ∈ G . g \cdot H = gHg^{-1} \quad\forall H \in\operatorname{Sub}(G),\ g \in G. g ⋅ H = g H g − 1 ∀ H ∈ Sub ( G ) , g ∈ G .
Let M ( Sub ( G ) ) \mathcal{M}(\operatorname{Sub}(G)) M ( Sub ( G )) be the convex set of Borel probability measures on Sub ( G ) \operatorname{Sub}(G) Sub ( G ) endowed with the weak-∗ * ∗ topology. The conjugation action induces a dual action of G G G on M ( Sub ( G ) ) \mathcal{M}(\operatorname{Sub}(G)) M ( Sub ( G )) by affine transformations. An invariant random subgroup is a G G G -invariant measure in M ( Sub ( G ) ) \mathcal{M}(\operatorname{Sub}(G)) M ( Sub ( G )) . The set of all such measures will be denoted by IRS ( G ) \operatorname{IRS}(G) IRS ( G ) .
The set IRS ( G ) \operatorname{IRS}(G) IRS ( G ) forms a convex and weak-∗ * ∗ compact subspace of M ( Sub ( G ) ) \mathcal{M}(\operatorname{Sub}(G)) M ( Sub ( G )) . An invariant random subgroup is called ergodic if it is an extreme point of the space IRS ( G ) \operatorname{IRS}(G) IRS ( G ) . This happens if and only if every measurable G G G -invariant subset of Sub ( G ) \operatorname{Sub}(G) Sub ( G ) is either null or conull. The invariant random subgroup δ { I } ∈ IRS ( G ) \delta_{\{I\}} \in\operatorname{IRS}(G) δ { I } ∈ IRS ( G ) is called trivial .
Assume that the countable group G G G acts on some Borel probability space ( X , ν ) (X,\nu) ( X , ν ) by measure-preserving maps. The stabilizer map Stab G : X → Sub ( G ) \operatorname{Stab}_G : X \to\operatorname{Sub}(G) Stab G : X → Sub ( G ) is Borel and the pushforward of ν \nu ν under this map gives an invariant random subgroup of G G G . We note that every invariant random subgroup of G G G is a stabilizer distribution of some such action [1 ] .
Definition 4.1. Let H H H be a subgroup of the countable discrete map G G G . The intersection map is given by
Sub ( G ) → Sub ( H ) , K ↦ K ∩ H ∀ K ∈ Sub ( G ) . \operatorname{Sub}(G) \to\operatorname{Sub}(H), \quad K \mapsto K \cap H \quad\forall K \in\operatorname{Sub}(G). Sub ( G ) → Sub ( H ) , K ↦ K ∩ H ∀ K ∈ Sub ( G ) . The intersection map is H H H -equivariant and continuous. Hence it induces a pushforward map IRS ( G ) → IRS ( H ) \operatorname{IRS}(G) \to\operatorname{IRS}(H) IRS ( G ) → IRS ( H ) , which we also call an intersection map by a slight abuse of notations.
See e.g. [1 , 10 , 22 ] for more details about invariant random subgroups.
Thoma and Vershik traces
We recall the notion of a trace in the sense of Thoma [Th06a, Th06b]. These are generalizations of the normalized trace functions of finite-dimensional unitary representations of a group. A very good reference for theory of Thoma traces is [4 ] .
Definition 4.2. Let G G G be a countable discrete group. A function χ : G → C \chi: G \to\mathbb{C} χ : G → C is called a trace of G G G (in the sense of Thoma) if it satisfies:
(1) χ \chi χ is normalized, i.e. χ ( e ) = 1 \chi(e) = 1 χ ( e ) = 1 ,
(2) χ \chi χ is central, i.e. χ ( g − 1 h g ) = χ ( h ) \chi(g^{-1}hg) = \chi(h) χ ( g − 1 h g ) = χ ( h ) for all g , h ∈ G g,h \in G g , h ∈ G , and
(3) χ \chi χ is positive definite, i.e.
∑ i , j = 1 n a j ‾ a i χ ( g j − 1 g i ) ≥ 0 (9) \sum_{i,j=1}^{n} \overline{a_j}a_i\chi(g_j^{-1}g_i) \ge0 \tag*{(9)} i , j = 1 ∑ n a j a i χ ( g j − 1 g i ) ≥ 0 (9)
for all n ∈ N n \in\mathbb{N} n ∈ N and for all a 1 , … , a n ∈ C a_1,\ldots,a_n \in\mathbb{C} a 1 , … , a n ∈ C and g 1 , … , g n ∈ G g_1,\ldots,g_n \in G g 1 , … , g n ∈ G . The set of traces Tr ( G ) \operatorname{Tr}(G) Tr ( G ) of the group G G G forms a convex compact subset of ℓ ∞ ( G ) \ell^\infty(G) ℓ ∞ ( G ) . The set of extreme points of this set is called the Thoma dual of G G G and is denoted Ch ( G ) \operatorname{Ch}(G) Ch ( G ) . The elements of Ch ( G ) \operatorname{Ch}(G) Ch ( G ) will be called characters of G G G .
We mention that the terminology in Definition 4.2 is not completely standardized, and varies across the literature. There is a natural map IRS ( G ) → Tr ( G ) \operatorname{IRS}(G) \to\operatorname{Tr}(G) IRS ( G ) → Tr ( G ) , as follows:
Definition 4.3. Let G G G be a countable group and μ \mu μ be an invariant random subgroup of G G G . The map
χ μ : G → [ 0 , 1 ] , χ μ ( g ) = μ ( { H ∈ Sub ( G ) : g ∈ H } ) \chi_\mu:G \to[0,1],\qquad\chi_\mu(g)=\mu\bigl(\{H \in\operatorname{Sub}(G):g \in H\}\bigr) χ μ : G → [ 0 , 1 ] , χ μ ( g ) = μ ( { H ∈ Sub ( G ) : g ∈ H } ) is a trace of the group G G G . It is called the Vershik trace associated to μ \mu μ . The map μ ↦ χ μ \mu\mapsto\chi_\mu μ ↦ χ μ is called the Vershik trace map .
To see that the Vershik trace χ μ \chi_\mu χ μ associated to μ \mu μ is positive definite, note that it can be expressed as χ μ = ∫ Sub ( G ) 1 H d μ ( H ) \chi_\mu=\int_{\operatorname{Sub}(G)}1_H\,d\mu(H) χ μ = ∫ Sub ( G ) 1 H d μ ( H ) . A straightforward computation shows that each indicator function 1 H 1_H 1 H is positive definite.
We recall that a metrizable compact convex subset X X X of a locally convex topological vector space is called a Choquet simplex if for every point x 0 ∈ X x_0 \in X x 0 ∈ X there is a unique Borel probability measure λ \lambda λ supported on the extreme points of X X X such that x 0 = ∫ X x d λ ( x ) x_0=\int_X x\,d\lambda(x) x 0 = ∫ X x d λ ( x ) . Both Tr ( G ) \operatorname{Tr}(G) Tr ( G ) and IRS ( G ) \operatorname{IRS}(G) IRS ( G ) are Choquet simplices. See [30 ] and [26 Chapter 12] respectively. Given a trace or an invariant random subgroup of G G G , we call the measure provided by Choquet’s theorem its ergodic decomposition .
Thoma characters and invariant random subgroups of the finitary alternating group
Let A ∞ A_\infty A ∞ be the infinite alternating group of finitary even permutations. We review the theory of its Thoma characters, its invariant random subgroups and their relationship via the Vershik map.
As mentioned, the Thoma characters of A ∞ A_\infty A ∞ were classified by Thoma in [29 ] . The classification of the invariant random subgroups of the group S ∞ S_\infty S ∞ of all finitary permutations was done by Vershik in [35 ] with a slight inaccuracy. In [32 ] Thomas presents a corrected argument for this classification. To get the argument for A ∞ A_\infty A ∞ one can follow the proof of the classification of IRS ( S ∞ ) \operatorname{IRS}(S_\infty) IRS ( S ∞ ) and check that it works the same, with appropriate modifications, for this subgroup. Alternatively, [23 ] presents a derivation of the invariant random subgroups of A ∞ A_\infty A ∞ from those of S ∞ S_\infty S ∞ . The calculation of the Vershik traces and the description of these as a weighted average on the set of Thoma characters is done in [32 ] for the group S ∞ S_\infty S ∞ of all finitary permutations. These calculations still hold with minor modifications for the case of A ∞ A_\infty A ∞ , as we now explain.
Thoma characters of A ∞ A_\infty A ∞
Let ( β i ) i ∈ N (\beta_i)_{i\in\mathbb{N}} ( β i ) i ∈ N and ( γ i ) i ∈ N (\gamma_i)_{i\in\mathbb{N}} ( γ i ) i ∈ N be two non-increasing sequences of non-negative real numbers such that
∑ i = 1 ∞ β i + ∑ i = 1 ∞ γ i ≤ 1. \sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\beta_i+\sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\gamma_i\le1. i = 1 ∑ ∞ β i + i = 1 ∑ ∞ γ i ≤ 1.
Define the function χ ( β ; γ ) : A ∞ → C \chi_{(\beta;\gamma)}:A_\infty\to\mathbb{C} χ ( β ; γ ) : A ∞ → C by
χ ( β ; γ ) ( σ ) = ∏ k = 2 ∞ ( ∑ i = 1 ∞ β i k + ( − 1 ) k + 1 ∑ i = 1 ∞ γ i k ) c k ( σ ) ∀ σ ∈ A ∞ \chi_{(\beta;\gamma)}(\sigma)=\prod_{k=2}^{\infty}\left(\sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\beta_i^k+(-1)^{k+1}\sum_{i=1}^{\infty}\gamma_i^k\right)^{c_k(\sigma)}
\qquad\forall\sigma\in A_\infty χ ( β ; γ ) ( σ ) = k = 2 ∏ ∞ ( i = 1 ∑ ∞ β i k + ( − 1 ) k + 1 i = 1 ∑ ∞ γ i k ) c k ( σ ) ∀ σ ∈ A ∞
where for each k ≥ 2 k \ge2 k ≥ 2 we let c k ( σ ) c_k(\sigma) c k ( σ ) denote the number of cycles of length k k k in the cycle decomposition of the permutation σ ∈ A ∞ \sigma\in A_\infty σ ∈ A ∞ .
Theorem 4.4 ([29 Satz 6] ). The functions χ ( β ; γ ) \chi_{(\beta;\gamma)} χ ( β ; γ ) described above are precisely the characters of A ∞ A_\infty A ∞ . The identity χ ( β ; γ ) = χ ( β ′ ; γ ′ ) \chi_{(\beta;\gamma)} = \chi_{(\beta';\gamma')} χ ( β ; γ ) = χ ( β ′ ; γ ′ ) holds if and only if ( β , γ ) = ( β ′ , γ ′ ) (\beta,\gamma) = (\beta',\gamma') ( β , γ ) = ( β ′ , γ ′ ) or ( β , γ ) = ( γ ′ , β ′ ) (\beta,\gamma) = (\gamma',\beta') ( β , γ ) = ( γ ′ , β ′ ) .
Invariant random subgroups of A ∞ A_\infty A ∞
We describe the ergodic invariant random subgroups of the group A ∞ A_\infty A ∞ using stabilizers of ergodic actions. Let D ⊂ [ 0 , 1 ] N 0 D \subset[0,1]^{\mathbb{N}_0} D ⊂ [ 0 , 1 ] N 0 be the set of sequences of non-negative real numbers α = ( α i ) i ∈ N 0 \alpha= (\alpha_i)_{i\in\mathbb{N}_0} α = ( α i ) i ∈ N 0 which satisfy:
The sequence ( α i ) i = 1 ∞ (\alpha_i)_{i=1}^{\infty} ( α i ) i = 1 ∞ is non-increasing, and
∑ i = 0 ∞ α i = 1 \sum_{i=0}^{\infty} \alpha_i = 1 ∑ i = 0 ∞ α i = 1 .
Fix a sequence α ∈ D \alpha\in D α ∈ D . Let I α = { i ∈ N : α i > 0 } I_\alpha= \{i \in\mathbb{N} : \alpha_i > 0\} I α = { i ∈ N : α i > 0 } and consider the group S α = ⨁ i ∈ I α { ± 1 } S_\alpha= \bigoplus_{i\in I_\alpha} \{\pm1\} S α = ⨁ i ∈ I α { ± 1 } . Let s α s_\alpha s α be the multiplication homomorphism
s α : S α → { ± 1 } , s α ( t ) = ∏ i ∈ I α t i ∀ t ∈ S α . s_\alpha: S_\alpha\to\{\pm1\}, \qquad s_\alpha(t) = \prod_{i\in I_\alpha} t_i \quad\forall t \in S_\alpha. s α : S α → { ± 1 } , s α ( t ) = i ∈ I α ∏ t i ∀ t ∈ S α .
Denote E α = ker s α ≤ S α E_\alpha= \ker s_\alpha\leq S_\alpha E α = ker s α ≤ S α . Let T T T be any fixed subgroup of E α E_\alpha E α . We will define the invariant random subgroup ν α T \nu_\alpha^T ν α T of A ∞ A_\infty A ∞ corresponding to the data consisting of the pair α ∈ D \alpha\in D α ∈ D and T ∈ Sub ( E α ) T \in\operatorname{Sub}(E_\alpha) T ∈ Sub ( E α ) .
The fixed sequence α ∈ D \alpha\in D α ∈ D defines a probability measure p α p_\alpha p α on N 0 \mathbb{N}_0 N 0 by p α ( i ) = α i p_\alpha(i) = \alpha_i p α ( i ) = α i . Let μ α \mu_\alpha μ α be the corresponding product measure on ( N 0 ) N (\mathbb{N}_0)^{\mathbb{N}} ( N 0 ) N . We think of elements c ∈ ( N 0 ) N c \in(\mathbb{N}_0)^{\mathbb{N}} c ∈ ( N 0 ) N as colorings of the set of natural numbers N \mathbb{N} N , where the probability of coloring a number n ∈ N n \in\mathbb{N} n ∈ N using the color i ∈ N 0 i \in\mathbb{N}_0 i ∈ N 0 is α i \alpha_i α i , in an i.i.d. manner over all n ∈ N n \in\mathbb{N} n ∈ N . Given a coloring c ∈ ( N 0 ) N c \in(\mathbb{N}_0)^{\mathbb{N}} c ∈ ( N 0 ) N and a color i ∈ N 0 i \in\mathbb{N}_0 i ∈ N 0 , consider the subset
B i ( c ) = { n ∈ N : c n = i } . B_i(c) = \{n \in\mathbb{N} : c_n = i\}. B i ( c ) = { n ∈ N : c n = i } .
Let H α , T ( c ) ∈ Sub ( A ∞ ) H_{\alpha,T}(c) \in\operatorname{Sub}(A_\infty) H α , T ( c ) ∈ Sub ( A ∞ ) be the subgroup consisting of all permutations σ ∈ A ∞ \sigma\in A_\infty σ ∈ A ∞ which satisfy:
σ ( B i ( c ) ) ⊆ B i ( c ) \sigma(B_i(c)) \subseteq B_i(c) σ ( B i ( c )) ⊆ B i ( c ) for all i ∈ N i \in\mathbb{N} i ∈ N ,
σ ∣ B 0 ( c ) = id \sigma|_{B_0(c)} = \operatorname{id} σ ∣ B 0 ( c ) = id , and
( sgn ( σ ∣ B i ( c ) ) ) i ∈ I α ∈ T (\operatorname{sgn}(\sigma|_{B_i(c)}))_{i\in I_\alpha} \in T ( sgn ( σ ∣ B i ( c ) ) ) i ∈ I α ∈ T .
In other words, the subgroup H α , T ( c ) H_{\alpha,T}(c) H α , T ( c ) consists of all permutations that preserve each color setwise, fix the distinguished color 0 ∈ N 0 0 \in\mathbb{N}_0 0 ∈ N 0 pointwise, and whose sign pattern on the colors belongs to T T T . The pushforward of the probability measure μ α \mu_\alpha μ α under the A ∞ A_\infty A ∞ -equivariant Borel map H α , T : ( N 0 ) N → Sub ( A ∞ ) H_{\alpha,T} : (\mathbb{N}_0)^{\mathbb{N}} \to\operatorname{Sub}(A_\infty) H α , T : ( N 0 ) N → Sub ( A ∞ ) yields an invariant random subgroup which we denote ν α T \nu_\alpha^T ν α T . The following result says that these are, in fact, all the ergodic invariant random subgroups of A ∞ A_\infty A ∞ .
Theorem 4.5 (Vershik, [33 Theorem 9.1] ). For any ergodic invariant random subgroup ν \nu ν of A ∞ A_\infty A ∞ there exist a sequence α ∈ D \alpha\in D α ∈ D and a subgroup T ∈ Sub ( E α ) T \in\operatorname{Sub}(E_\alpha) T ∈ Sub ( E α ) such that ν = ν α T \nu= \nu_\alpha^T ν = ν α T .
There are pairs ( α , T ) (\alpha,T) ( α , T ) and ( α , T ′ ) (\alpha,T') ( α , T ′ ) with ν α T = ν α T ′ \nu_\alpha^T = \nu_\alpha^{T'} ν α T = ν α T ′ and T ≠ T ′ T \ne T' T = T ′ . However, an ergodic invariant random subgroup determines the sequence α \alpha α uniquely [32 Remark 1.2] .
The Vershik trace map for A ∞ A_\infty A ∞
We describe the Vershik traces associated to the ergodic invariant random subgroups of A ∞ A_\infty A ∞ . As a consequence, it will follow that the Vershik trace χ ν α T \chi_{\nu_\alpha^T} χ ν α T is a character if and only if T = E α T = E_\alpha T = E α .
Fix a sequence α ∈ D \alpha\in D α ∈ D . The group S α S_\alpha S α is a discrete 2-group, so its characters are the homomorphisms S α → { ± 1 } S_\alpha\to\{\pm1\} S α → { ± 1 } . These form the compact Pontryagin dual group S α ^ \widehat{S_\alpha} S α . There is a natural identification
S α ^ ≅ ∏ i ∈ I α { 0 , 1 } \widehat{S_\alpha} \cong\prod_{i\in I_\alpha} \{0,1\} S α ≅ i ∈ I α ∏ { 0 , 1 }
by means of the pairing
⨁ i ∈ I α { ± 1 } × ∏ i ∈ I α { 0 , 1 } → { ± 1 } , ( t , u ) ↦ ∏ i ∈ I α t i u i ∀ t ∈ S α , u ∈ S α ^ . \bigoplus_{i\in I_\alpha}\{\pm1\}\times\prod_{i\in I_\alpha}\{0,1\}\to\{\pm1\},\qquad(t,u)\mapsto\prod_{i\in I_\alpha}t_i^{u_i}\qquad\forall t\in S_\alpha,u\in\widehat{S_\alpha}. i ∈ I α ⨁ { ± 1 } × i ∈ I α ∏ { 0 , 1 } → { ± 1 } , ( t , u ) ↦ i ∈ I α ∏ t i u i ∀ t ∈ S α , u ∈ S α .
Under this identification, the multiplication homomorphism s α s_\alpha s α corresponds to the vector s α = ( 1 ) i ∈ I α ∈ S α ^ s_\alpha=(1)_{i\in I_\alpha}\in\widehat{S_\alpha} s α = ( 1 ) i ∈ I α ∈ S α . The Pontryagin dual group of the subgroup E α E_\alpha E α is naturally isomorphic to the quotient E α ^ ≅ S α ^ / ⟨ s α ⟩ \widehat{E_\alpha}\cong\widehat{S_\alpha}/\langle s_\alpha\rangle E α ≅ S α / ⟨ s α ⟩ .
Given the fixed sequence α ∈ D \alpha\in\mathcal{D} α ∈ D and for each character u ∈ E α ^ u\in\widehat{E_\alpha} u ∈ E α , we define the Thoma character χ α u \chi_\alpha^u χ α u of the group A ∞ A_\infty A ∞ by
χ α u ( σ ) = ∏ k = 2 ∞ ( ∑ i ∈ I α ( − 1 ) ( k + 1 ) u i α i k ) c k ( σ ) ∀ σ ∈ A ∞ . \chi_\alpha^u(\sigma)=\prod_{k=2}^{\infty}\left(\sum_{i\in I_\alpha}(-1)^{(k+1)u_i}\alpha_i^k\right)^{c_k(\sigma)}\qquad\forall\sigma\in A_\infty. χ α u ( σ ) = k = 2 ∏ ∞ ( i ∈ I α ∑ ( − 1 ) ( k + 1 ) u i α i k ) c k ( σ ) ∀ σ ∈ A ∞ .
The character χ α u \chi_\alpha^u χ α u coincides with the character χ ( β ; γ ) \chi_{(\beta;\gamma)} χ ( β ; γ ) defined above, where
β i = { α i , if u i = 0 , 0 , if u i = 1 and γ i = { 0 , if u i = 0 , α i , if u i = 1. \beta_i=
\begin{cases}
\alpha_i,&\text{if }u_i=0,\\
0,&\text{if }u_i=1
\end{cases}
\qquad\text{and}\qquad
\gamma_i=
\begin{cases}
0,&\text{if }u_i=0,\\
\alpha_i,&\text{if }u_i=1.
\end{cases} β i = { α i , 0 , if u i = 0 , if u i = 1 and γ i = { 0 , α i , if u i = 0 , if u i = 1.
We note that this formula is independent of the choice of representative for u u u in S α ^ \widehat{S_\alpha} S α , since if χ α u = χ ( β ; γ ) \chi_\alpha^u=\chi_{(\beta;\gamma)} χ α u = χ ( β ; γ ) then χ α u + s = χ ( γ ; β ) \chi_\alpha^{u+s}=\chi_{(\gamma;\beta)} χ α u + s = χ ( γ ; β ) . Thomas has calculated the Vershik trace of the invariant random subgroup ν α T \nu_\alpha^T ν α T .
Theorem 4.6 ([32 Theorem 1.7] ). Let α ∈ D \alpha\in\mathcal{D} α ∈ D be a sequence and T ≤ E α T\leq E_\alpha T ≤ E α be a subgroup. Identify the Pontryagin dual group E α / T ^ \widehat{E_\alpha/T} E α / T with the subgroup of characters of E α E_\alpha E α which are trivial on T T T . The Vershik trace of the invariant random subgroup ν α T \nu_\alpha^T ν α T is given by
χ ν α T = ∫ E α / T ^ χ α u d u \chi_{\nu_\alpha^T}=\int_{\widehat{E_\alpha/T}}\chi_\alpha^u\,du χ ν α T = ∫ E α / T χ α u d u where the measure d u du d u is the Haar probability measure on the dual group E α / T ^ \widehat{E_\alpha/T} E α / T .
The proof in [[32 ] ] is for invariant random subgroups of S ∞ S_\infty S ∞ , and it works the same in this case by replacing the occurrences of S α S_\alpha S α with E α E_\alpha E α .
The orbit equivalence map
We take this opportunity to introduce several objects that involve the finitary alternating group and that will be useful in § 6.1 below:
Let E ( N ) ⊆ 2 N × N \mathcal{E}(\mathbb{N})\subseteq2^{\mathbb{N}\times\mathbb{N}} E ( N ) ⊆ 2 N × N be the set of equivalence relations on N \mathbb{N} N , with the standard Borel structure. The action of the finitary alternating group A ∞ A_\infty A ∞ on the set N \mathbb{N} N induces an action A ∞ ↷ 2 N × N A_\infty\curvearrowright2^{\mathbb{N}\times\mathbb{N}} A ∞ ↷ 2 N × N , which restricts to an action A ∞ ↷ E ( N ) A_\infty\curvearrowright\mathcal{E}(\mathbb{N}) A ∞ ↷ E ( N ) .
Definition 4.7. Let O : Sub ( A ∞ ) → E ( N ) \mathcal{O}:\operatorname{Sub}(A_\infty)\to\mathcal{E}(\mathbb{N}) O : Sub ( A ∞ ) → E ( N ) be the orbit equivalence map given by
O ( H ) = { ( i , σ ⋅ i ) : i ∈ N , σ ∈ H } ∀ H ∈ Sub ( A ∞ ) . \mathcal{O}(H)=\{(i,\sigma\cdot i):i\in\mathbb{N},\ \sigma\in H\}\qquad\forall H\in\operatorname{Sub}(A_\infty). O ( H ) = {( i , σ ⋅ i ) : i ∈ N , σ ∈ H } ∀ H ∈ Sub ( A ∞ ) .
Let N : E ( N ) → N ∪ { ∞ } \mathcal{N}:\mathcal{E}(\mathbb{N})\to\mathbb{N}\cup\{\infty\} N : E ( N ) → N ∪ { ∞ } be the map which takes an equivalence relation and returns the number of its equivalence classes.
We define a map ϱ : ( N 0 ) N → E ( N ) \varrho:(\mathbb{N}_0)^{\mathbb{N}}\to\mathcal{E}(\mathbb{N}) ϱ : ( N 0 ) N → E ( N ) , as follows. The equivalence relation ϱ ( c ) \varrho(c) ϱ ( c ) associated to a given coloring c ∈ ( N 0 ) N c\in(\mathbb{N}_0)^{\mathbb{N}} c ∈ ( N 0 ) N corresponds to the partition P c P_c P c of the set N \mathbb{N} N given by
P c = { B k ( c ) : k ∈ N , B k ( c ) ≠ ∅ } ∪ { { i } : i ∈ B 0 ( c ) } . P_c=\{B_k(c):k\in\mathbb{N},\ B_k(c)\ne\varnothing\}\cup\{\{i\}:i\in B_0(c)\}. P c = { B k ( c ) : k ∈ N , B k ( c ) = ∅ } ∪ {{ i } : i ∈ B 0 ( c )} .
Let α ∈ D \alpha\in\mathcal{D} α ∈ D be a fixed sequence. The pushforward of the probability measure μ α \mu_\alpha μ α under the map ϱ \varrho ϱ will be denoted by λ α \lambda_\alpha λ α (the collection D \mathcal{D} D and the measure μ α \mu_\alpha μ α were defined in Section 4.3.2). The following proposition (whose proof is immediate from the definitions) summarizes the results that we will need on the distributions of the maps O \mathcal{O} O and N \mathcal{N} N .
Proposition 4.8. The maps O \mathcal{O} O and N \mathcal{N} N are Borel. The map O \mathcal{O} O is A ∞ A_{\infty} A ∞ -equivariant, and the map N \mathcal{N} N is A ∞ A_{\infty} A ∞ -invariant. Let α ∈ D \alpha\in\mathcal{D} α ∈ D be a sequence and T ∈ Sub ( E α ) T \in\operatorname{Sub}(E_{\alpha}) T ∈ Sub ( E α ) be a subgroup. The associated random subgroup ν α T \nu_{\alpha}^{T} ν α T satisfies O ∗ ν α T = λ α \mathcal{O}_{*}\nu_{\alpha}^{T}=\lambda_{\alpha} O ∗ ν α T = λ α . The map N \mathcal{N} N is λ α \lambda_{\alpha} λ α -a.s. equal to the constant value ∣ I α ∣ \lvert I_{\alpha}\rvert ∣ I α ∣ if α 0 = 0 \alpha_{0}=0 α 0 = 0 , or to the constant value ∞ \infty ∞ if α 0 > 0 \alpha_{0}>0 α 0 > 0 .
We remark that Kingman [19 ] has shown that the λ α \lambda_{\alpha} λ α 's are exactly all the ergodic S ∞ S_{\infty} S ∞ -invariant measures on E ( N ) \mathcal{E}(\mathbb{N}) E ( N ) . We will use a slight variation of this theorem in the next discussion on pointed partitions.
Pointed partitions
We digress further to overview the notion of pointed partitions of N \mathbb{N} N and of the classification of ergodic A ∞ A_{\infty} A ∞ -measures on the space of such partitions. This is a special case of the notion of signed partitions, as developed by Vershik in [35 ] .
Definition 4.9. A pointed partition of the set N \mathbb{N} N is a finite or countable partition P P P together with a distinguished block B P ∈ P B_{P}\in P B P ∈ P . We denote the set of all pointed partitions of N \mathbb{N} N by E ∗ ( N ) \mathcal{E}^{*}(\mathbb{N}) E ∗ ( N ) .
The set E ∗ ( N ) \mathcal{E}^{*}(\mathbb{N}) E ∗ ( N ) is a Borel space admitting a natural action of the group S ∞ S_{\infty} S ∞ of finitary permutations through its action on the set N \mathbb{N} N . We will describe all the ergodic S ∞ S_{\infty} S ∞ -invariant probability measures on E ∗ ( N ) \mathcal{E}^{*}(\mathbb{N}) E ∗ ( N ) . These should be compared with the ergodic invariant measures on the set E ( N ) \mathcal{E}(\mathbb{N}) E ( N ) discussed in the previous Section 4.4.
Here is one way to construct pointed partitions. Given a point c ∈ ( Z ≥ − 1 ) N c\in(\mathbb{Z}_{\geq-1})^{\mathbb{N}} c ∈ ( Z ≥ − 1 ) N , we denote B k ( c ) = { n ∈ N : c n = k } B_{k}(c)=\{n\in\mathbb{N}:c_{n}=k\} B k ( c ) = { n ∈ N : c n = k } for all k ∈ Z ≥ − 1 k\in\mathbb{Z}_{\geq-1} k ∈ Z ≥ − 1 . Let P c ∈ E ∗ ( N ) P_{c}\in\mathcal{E}^{*}(\mathbb{N}) P c ∈ E ∗ ( N ) be the pointed partition
P c = { B k ( c ) : k ∈ N ∪ { − 1 } } ∪ { { i } : i ∈ B 0 ( c ) } , P_{c}=\{B_{k}(c):k\in\mathbb{N}\cup\{-1\}\}\cup\{\{i\}:i\in B_{0}(c)\}, P c = { B k ( c ) : k ∈ N ∪ { − 1 }} ∪ {{ i } : i ∈ B 0 ( c )} ,
whose distinguished block is B − 1 ( c ) B_{-1}(c) B − 1 ( c ) .
Let D ∗ ⊆ [ 0 , 1 ] Z ≥ − 1 \mathcal{D}^{*}\subseteq[0,1]^{\mathbb{Z}_{\geq-1}} D ∗ ⊆ [ 0 , 1 ] Z ≥ − 1 be the set of sequences of non-negative real numbers ( α i ) i ∈ Z ≥ − 1 (\alpha_{i})_{i\in\mathbb{Z}_{\geq-1}} ( α i ) i ∈ Z ≥ − 1 which satisfy:
The subsequence ( α i ) i = 1 ∞ (\alpha_{i})_{i=1}^{\infty} ( α i ) i = 1 ∞ is non-increasing, and
∑ i = − 1 ∞ α i = 1 \sum_{i=-1}^{\infty}\alpha_{i}=1 ∑ i = − 1 ∞ α i = 1 .
Given each sequence α ∈ D ∗ \alpha\in\mathcal{D}^{*} α ∈ D ∗ let p α p_{\alpha} p α be the probability measure on Z ≥ − 1 \mathbb{Z}_{\geq-1} Z ≥ − 1 defined by p α ( i ) = α i p_{\alpha}(i)=\alpha_{i} p α ( i ) = α i for all i ∈ Z ≥ − 1 i\in\mathbb{Z}_{\geq-1} i ∈ Z ≥ − 1 . Let μ α \mu_{\alpha} μ α be the corresponding product measure on ( Z ≥ − 1 ) N (\mathbb{Z}_{\geq-1})^{\mathbb{N}} ( Z ≥ − 1 ) N . The pushforward of the probability measure μ α \mu_{\alpha} μ α under the map c ↦ P c c\mapsto P_{c} c ↦ P c will be denoted λ α ∗ \lambda_{\alpha}^{*} λ α ∗ .
Proposition 4.10. Any ergodic A ∞ A_{\infty} A ∞ -invariant probability measure on the space E ∗ ( N ) \mathcal{E}^{*}(\mathbb{N}) E ∗ ( N ) of pointed partitions is of the form λ α ∗ \lambda_{\alpha}^{*} λ α ∗ for some sequence α ∈ D ∗ \alpha\in\mathcal{D}^{*} α ∈ D ∗ .
This is a slight refinement of Kingman’s classification of the ergodic S ∞ S_{\infty} S ∞ -measures on $\mathcal{E}(\mathbb{N}) [19 ] . We choose to reduce the proposition to Vershik’s classification of invariant measures on signed partitions [35 ] . A signed partition of the set N \mathbb{N} N is a partition together with a designation of “positive” or “negative” to each non-singleton block of the partition. Denote the set of signed partitions of N \mathbb{N} N by E ± ( N ) \mathcal{E}^{\pm}(\mathbb{N}) E ± ( N ) . Given a fixed probability vector α ∈ [ 0 , 1 ] Z \alpha\in[0,1]^{\mathbb{Z}} α ∈ [ 0 , 1 ] Z , one can define a probability measure ν α ± \nu_{\alpha}^{\pm} ν α ± on the space E ± ( N ) \mathcal{E}^{\pm}(\mathbb{N}) E ± ( N ) in a manner similar to the measures λ α ∗ \lambda_{\alpha}^{*} λ α ∗ and λ α \lambda_{\alpha} λ α : choose a random “color vector” c ∈ Z N c\in\mathbb{Z}^{\mathbb{N}} c ∈ Z N in an i.i.d. manner according to α \alpha α . The corresponding random partition P c P_{c} P c is
P c = { B k ( c ) : k ∈ Z ∖ { 0 } } ∪ { { i } : i ∈ B 0 ( c ) } . P_{c}=\{B_{k}(c):k\in\mathbb{Z}\setminus\{0\}\}\cup\{\{i\}:i\in B_{0}(c)\}. P c = { B k ( c ) : k ∈ Z ∖ { 0 }} ∪ {{ i } : i ∈ B 0 ( c )} .
The positive blocks are the B k ( c ) B_{k}(c) B k ( c ) 's with k > 0 k>0 k > 0 , and the negative blocks are the B k ( c ) B_{k}(c) B k ( c ) 's with k < 0 k<0 k < 0 . Vershik has shown that every ergodic S ∞ S_{\infty} S ∞ -invariant measure on E ± ( N ) \mathcal{E}^{\pm}(\mathbb{N}) E ± ( N ) is of the form λ α ± \lambda_{\alpha}^{\pm} λ α ± for some such fixed probability vector α \alpha α . His proof works in the same way for A ∞ A_{\infty} A ∞ -invariance.
Proof of Theorem 4.10. Let λ \lambda λ be an ergodic A ∞ A_{\infty} A ∞ -invariant probability measure on the space E ∗ ( N ) \mathcal{E}^{*}(\mathbb{N}) E ∗ ( N ) . We claim that the distinguished block is λ \lambda λ -a.s. not a singleton. Otherwise, the pushforward of λ \lambda λ under the λ \lambda λ -measurable map E ∗ ( N ) → N \mathcal{E}^{*}(\mathbb{N}) \to\mathbb{N} E ∗ ( N ) → N which takes a pointed partition to the unique element in the singleton distinguished block would give rise to an A ∞ A_{\infty} A ∞ -invariant probability measure on N \mathbb{N} N , which is a contradiction.
It follows that the map s : E ∗ ( N ) → E ± ( N ) s:\mathcal{E}^{*}(\mathbb{N}) \to\mathcal{E}^{\pm}(\mathbb{N}) s : E ∗ ( N ) → E ± ( N ) which designates the distinguished block of the partition as negative and all other non-singleton blocks as positive is λ \lambda λ -a.s. well-defined. It is also A ∞ A_{\infty} A ∞ -equivariant. Hence s ∗ λ = λ α ∗ s_{*}\lambda=\lambda_{\alpha}^{*} s ∗ λ = λ α ∗ for some probability vector α ∈ [ 0 , 1 ] Z \alpha\in[0,1]^{\mathbb{Z}} α ∈ [ 0 , 1 ] Z according to Vershik’s classification. Observe that α \alpha α is supported on Z ≥ − 1 \mathbb{Z}_{\geq-1} Z ≥ − 1 . We conclude that λ = λ α ∗ \lambda=\lambda_{\alpha}^{*} λ = λ α ∗ as required. □
Given a pointed partition P ∈ E ∗ ( N ) P\in\mathcal{E}^{*}(\mathbb{N}) P ∈ E ∗ ( N ) and an index k ∈ N ≥ − 1 k\in\mathbb{N}_{\geq-1} k ∈ N ≥ − 1 let d k ( P ) ∈ [ 0 , 1 ] d_k(P)\in[0,1] d k ( P ) ∈ [ 0 , 1 ] be the asymptotic density of the k k k -th block of P P P (whenever it exists). The non-distinguished blocks have k ≥ 1 k\geq1 k ≥ 1 and are ordered by non-increasing density. The distinguished block has k = − 1 k=-1 k = − 1 . Write D ( P ) = ( d k ( P ) ) k ≥ − 1 D(P)=(d_k(P))_{k\geq-1} D ( P ) = ( d k ( P ) ) k ≥ − 1 for the asymptotic density vector (whenever these exist).
Consider any fixed sequence β ∈ D ∗ \beta\in D^{*} β ∈ D ∗ . For λ β ∗ \lambda_{\beta}^{*} λ β ∗ -a.e. pointed partition P ∈ E ∗ ( N ) P\in\mathcal{E}^{*}(\mathbb{N}) P ∈ E ∗ ( N ) , the asymptotic density vector D ( P ) D(P) D ( P ) exists and equals β \beta β . This is immediate from the strong law of large numbers applied to the i.i.d. sequence of labels c ∈ ( Z ≥ − 1 ) N c\in(\mathbb{Z}_{\geq-1})^{\mathbb{N}} c ∈ ( Z ≥ − 1 ) N used to construct the random pointed partition P P P with respect to the probability measure μ β \mu_{\beta} μ β .
Lemma 4.11. Let λ \lambda λ be an A ∞ A_{\infty} A ∞ -invariant probability measure on E ∗ ( N ) \mathcal{E}^{*}(\mathbb{N}) E ∗ ( N ) and α ∈ D ∗ \alpha\in D^{*} α ∈ D ∗ be a fixed sequence. If the asymptotic density vector D ( P ) D(P) D ( P ) is λ \lambda λ -a.s. equal to α \alpha α then λ = λ α ∗ \lambda=\lambda_{\alpha}^{*} λ = λ α ∗ and λ \lambda λ is ergodic.
Proof. By Theorem 4.10, the probability measure λ \lambda λ admits an ergodic decomposition of the form λ = ∫ D ∗ λ β ∗ d m ( β ) \lambda=\int_{D^{*}}\lambda_{\beta}^{*}\,dm(\beta) λ = ∫ D ∗ λ β ∗ d m ( β ) for some probability measure m m m on D ∗ D^{*} D ∗ . Combined with the observation preceding the lemma, this decomposition gives D ∗ λ = ∫ δ β d m ( β ) = m D_{*}\lambda=\int\delta_{\beta}\,dm(\beta)=m D ∗ λ = ∫ δ β d m ( β ) = m . If D ( P ) D(P) D ( P ) is λ \lambda λ -a.s. equal to the sequence α \alpha α then necessarily m = δ α m=\delta_{\alpha} m = δ α . This implies that λ = λ α ∗ \lambda=\lambda_{\alpha}^{*} λ = λ α ∗ and in particular that λ \lambda λ is ergodic. □
The Vershik trace of an invariant random subgroup of S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q )
Let F q \mathbb{F}_q F q be a finite field of order q q q and S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) the finitary special linear group. Let μ \mu μ be an invariant random subgroup of S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) . In this section we use Skudlarek’s classification of Thoma traces of S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) (see Theorem 1.5) to get information on μ \mu μ . This is done by taking advantage of the ergodic decomposition of the associated Vershik trace χ μ \chi_{\mu} χ μ .
Example. Observe that any character of S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) other than δ I \delta_I δ I is strictly positive on the entire group S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) . As long as μ ≠ δ { I } \mu\ne\delta_{\{I\}} μ = δ { I } we have χ μ ≠ δ I \chi_{\mu}\ne\delta_I χ μ = δ I and hence the Vershik trace χ μ \chi_{\mu} χ μ is also strictly positive. This means that every element of S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) belongs to a μ \mu μ -random subgroup with a positive probability. Consequently each conjugacy class of S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) intersects μ \mu μ -almost every random subgroup.
Here is a more elaborate use of the Vershik trace. Regard S L n ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) SL n ( F q ) as a subgroup of S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) in the standard way (i.e. in the “upper-left corner”). We see in Theorem 5.3 that the probability that a μ \mu μ -random subgroup H H H contains S L n ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) SL n ( F q ) is approximately the same as the probability that a matrix g g g with rk ~ ( g ) = rk ( g − I ) = n \widetilde{\operatorname{rk}}(g)=\operatorname{rk}(g-I)=n rk ( g ) = rk ( g − I ) = n belongs to H H H . This will imply in Theorem 5.5 that μ \mu μ -almost every subgroup contains a copy of S L n ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) SL n ( F q ) in some finitary basis. See § 5.2 for more details on this direction.
In § 5.3 , we use the theory of invariant random subgroups and Thoma characters of the group A ∞ A_{\infty} A ∞ discussed in § 4.3 to identify the image of the invariant random subgroup μ \mu μ under the intersection map IRS ( S L ∞ ( F q ) ) → IRS ( A ∞ ) \operatorname{IRS}(\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q))\to\operatorname{IRS}(A_{\infty}) IRS ( SL ∞ ( F q )) → IRS ( A ∞ ) . We think of A ∞ A_{\infty} A ∞ as a subgroup of S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) consisting of permutation matrices in some finitary basis.
The degree of an invariant random subgroup
Let χ μ \chi_\mu χ μ be the Vershik trace associated to the invariant random subgroup μ \mu μ of the group S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) . By Skudlarek’s classification (Theorem 1.5), the ergodic decomposition of the trace χ μ \chi_\mu χ μ has the form
χ μ = ∑ k = 0 ∞ a k ( μ ) χ k + a ∞ ( μ ) χ ∞ , (10) \chi_\mu=\sum_{k=0}^{\infty}a_k(\mu)\chi_k+a_\infty(\mu)\chi_\infty, \tag*{(10)} χ μ = k = 0 ∑ ∞ a k ( μ ) χ k + a ∞ ( μ ) χ ∞ , (10)
where a k ( μ ) ≥ 0 a_k(\mu)\geq0 a k ( μ ) ≥ 0 are non-negative real numbers satisfying ∑ k = 0 ∞ a k ( μ ) + a ∞ ( μ ) = 1 \sum_{k=0}^{\infty}a_k(\mu)+a_\infty(\mu)=1 ∑ k = 0 ∞ a k ( μ ) + a ∞ ( μ ) = 1 . Recall that
χ k ( g ) = q − k ⋅ rk ~ g ∀ g ∈ S L ∞ ( F q ) \chi_k(g)=q^{-k\cdot\widetilde{\operatorname{rk}}g}\quad\forall g\in\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) χ k ( g ) = q − k ⋅ rk g ∀ g ∈ SL ∞ ( F q )
for all k ∈ N k\in\mathbb{N} k ∈ N , and χ ∞ = δ I \chi_\infty=\delta_I χ ∞ = δ I .
Definition 5.1. The degree of the invariant random subgroup μ \mu μ is the minimal number r ( μ ) ∈ N ∪ { ∞ } r(\mu)\in\mathbb{N}\cup\{\infty\} r ( μ ) ∈ N ∪ { ∞ } such that a r ( μ ) ( μ ) > 0 a_{r(\mu)}(\mu)>0 a r ( μ ) ( μ ) > 0 .
Note that the degree r ( μ ) r(\mu) r ( μ ) is infinite if and only if χ μ = δ I \chi_\mu=\delta_I χ μ = δ I . Since the group S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) is countable, this happens if and only if μ = δ { I } \mu=\delta_{\{I\}} μ = δ { I } .
We observe several additional useful properties of the Vershik trace χ μ \chi_\mu χ μ . First, the value of any character of the group S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) at any element g ∈ S L ∞ ( F q ) g\in\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) g ∈ SL ∞ ( F q ) depends solely on the quantity rk ~ g \widetilde{\operatorname{rk}}g rk g . Being a linear combination of such characters, the Vershik trace χ μ \chi_\mu χ μ is consequently also a function of this quantity.
Definition 5.2. Given any n ∈ N 0 n\in\mathbb{N}_0 n ∈ N 0 , we denote by χ μ ( n ) \chi_\mu(n) χ μ ( n ) the common value of the Vershik trace χ μ \chi_\mu χ μ on any element g ∈ S L ∞ ( F q ) g\in\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) g ∈ SL ∞ ( F q ) having rk ~ ( g ) = n \widetilde{\operatorname{rk}}(g)=n rk ( g ) = n .
The second property is χ μ \chi_\mu χ μ ’s growth rate, regarded as a function of n = rk ~ g n=\widetilde{\operatorname{rk}}g n = rk g in the above sense. Asymptotically, as n = rk ~ g → ∞ n=\widetilde{\operatorname{rk}}g\to\infty n = rk g → ∞ we get
χ μ ( n ) = a r ( μ ) ( μ ) ⋅ q − r ( μ ) n ( 1 + o ( 1 ) ) . (11) \chi_\mu(n)=a_{r(\mu)}(\mu)\cdot q^{-r(\mu)n}(1+o(1)). \tag*{(11)} χ μ ( n ) = a r ( μ ) ( μ ) ⋅ q − r ( μ ) n ( 1 + o ( 1 )) . (11)
In particular, we see that χ μ ( n ) \chi_\mu(n) χ μ ( n ) decays exponentially in n n n , with exponential rate q − r ( μ ) q^{-r(\mu)} q − r ( μ ) .
Invariant random subgroups contain SLn(Fq)
Singer cycles were discussed in § 2.4 . We observe that the size of the conjugacy class of a Singer cycle in S L n ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) SL n ( F q ) is larger than the order of any maximal proper subgroup containing it. Given an invariant random subgroup μ \mu μ , each of these conjugates has an equal probability of belonging to a μ \mu μ -random subgroup. By the pigeonhole principle, sufficiently many conjugates must appear in any μ \mu μ -random subgroup to generate an isomorphic copy of S L n ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) SL n ( F q ) .
Proposition 5.3. Let μ \mu μ be an invariant random subgroup of S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) and f f f be a finitary basis. Then
μ ( { H ∈ Sub ( S L ∞ ( F q ) ) : S L n ( f ) ≤ H } ) = χ μ ( n ) ( 1 − o ( 1 ) ) . (12) \mu\bigl(\{H\in\operatorname{Sub}(\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)):\mathrm{SL}_n(f)\leq H\}\bigr)=\chi_\mu(n)(1-o(1)). \tag*{(12)} μ ( { H ∈ Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) : SL n ( f ) ≤ H } ) = χ μ ( n ) ( 1 − o ( 1 )) . (12)
Proof. For every n ∈ N n\in\mathbb{N} n ∈ N let s n ∈ S L n ( f ) s_n\in\mathrm{SL}_n(f) s n ∈ SL n ( f ) be a arbitrary Singer cycle. Since 1 1 1 is not an eigenvalue of s n s_n s n , it satisfies rk ~ ( s n ) = n \widetilde{\operatorname{rk}}(s_n)=n rk ( s n ) = n . Hence
μ ( { H : S L n ( f ) ≤ H } ) ≤ μ ( { H : s n ∈ H } ) = χ μ ( n ) . \mu\bigl(\{H:\mathrm{SL}_n(f)\leq H\}\bigr)\leq\mu\bigl(\{H:s_n\in H\}\bigr)=\chi_\mu(n). μ ( { H : SL n ( f ) ≤ H } ) ≤ μ ( { H : s n ∈ H } ) = χ μ ( n ) .
We need to show that the other inequality holds, up to a factor of ( 1 − o ( 1 ) ) (1-o(1)) ( 1 − o ( 1 )) . For μ = δ { I } \mu=\delta_{\{I\}} μ = δ { I } both sides vanish for all n ∈ N n\in\mathbb{N} n ∈ N . So we may assume that r ( μ ) < ∞ r(\mu)<\infty r ( μ ) < ∞ .
Let N n N_n N n be the size of the conjugacy class of s n s_n s n in S L n ( f ) \mathrm{SL}_n(f) SL n ( f ) . We know that N n N_n N n is q n 2 + O ( n ) q^{n^2+O(n)} q n 2 + O ( n ) by eq. (3) . By Theorem 2.2 any k n = q 3 4 n 2 k_n=q^{\frac{3}{4}n^2} k n = q 4 3 n 2 distinct conjugates of s n s_n s n generate S L n ( f ) \mathrm{SL}_n(f) SL n ( f ) , for all large enough n n n . Apply the quantitative pigeonhole principle (see Theorem 5.4 below) to get
μ ( { H : SL n ( f ) ≤ H } ) ≥ μ ( { k n + 1 distinct conjugates of s n belong to H } ) ≥ N n χ μ ( s n ) − k n N n − k n ≥ χ μ ( n ) − k n N n = χ μ ( n ) − q − 1 4 n 2 + O ( n ) = χ μ ( n ) ( 1 − o ( 1 ) ) . \begin{aligned}
\mu\left(\{H:\operatorname{SL}_{n}(f)\leq H\}\right)\geq\mu\left(\{k_{n}+1\text{ distinct conjugates of }s_{n}\text{ belong to }H\}\right) \\
&\geq\frac{N_{n}\chi_{\mu}(s_{n})-k_{n}}{N_{n}-k_{n}}\geq\chi_{\mu}(n)-\frac{k_{n}}{N_{n}} \\
&=\chi_{\mu}(n)-q^{-\frac{1}{4}n^{2}+O(n)}=\chi_{\mu}(n)(1-o(1)).
\end{aligned} μ ( { H : SL n ( f ) ≤ H } ) ≥ μ ( { k n + 1 distinct conjugates of s n belong to H } ) ≥ N n − k n N n χ μ ( s n ) − k n ≥ χ μ ( n ) − N n k n = χ μ ( n ) − q − 4 1 n 2 + O ( n ) = χ μ ( n ) ( 1 − o ( 1 )) .
In the last equality we use the fact that χ μ ( n ) \chi_{\mu}(n) χ μ ( n ) decays exponentially in n n n (eq. (11) ). This concludes the proof. □
In the above proof, we have used the following quantitative version of the pigeonhole principle for probability spaces.
Lemma 5.4. Let ( X , B , P ) (X,\mathcal{B},\mathbb{P}) ( X , B , P ) be a probability space. Let N ∈ N N\in\mathbb{N} N ∈ N and E 1 , … , E N E_{1},\ldots,E_{N} E 1 , … , E N be events in B \mathcal{B} B . Then for any 0 ≤ k < N 0\leq k<N 0 ≤ k < N we have
P ( ∑ i = 1 N 1 E i > k ) ≥ ∑ i = 1 N P ( E i ) − k N − k . (13) \mathbb{P}\left(\sum_{i=1}^{N}\mathbf{1}_{E_{i}}>k\right)\geq\frac{\sum_{i=1}^{N}\mathbb{P}(E_{i})-k}{N-k}. \tag*{(13)} P ( i = 1 ∑ N 1 E i > k ) ≥ N − k ∑ i = 1 N P ( E i ) − k . (13) Proof. Let F = { x ∈ X : ∑ i = 1 N 1 E i ( x ) > k } F=\left\{x\in X:\sum_{i=1}^{N}\mathbf{1}_{E_{i}}(x)>k\right\} F = { x ∈ X : ∑ i = 1 N 1 E i ( x ) > k } . Then we have
∑ i = 1 N P ( E i ) = E [ ∑ i = 1 N 1 E i ] = E [ ∑ i = 1 N 1 E i ∩ F + ∑ i = 1 N 1 E i ∩ F c ] \sum_{i=1}^{N}\mathbb{P}(E_{i})=\mathbb{E}\left[\sum_{i=1}^{N}\mathbf{1}_{E_{i}}\right]=\mathbb{E}\left[\sum_{i=1}^{N}\mathbf{1}_{E_{i}\cap F}+\sum_{i=1}^{N}\mathbf{1}_{E_{i}\cap F^{c}}\right] i = 1 ∑ N P ( E i ) = E [ i = 1 ∑ N 1 E i ] = E [ i = 1 ∑ N 1 E i ∩ F + i = 1 ∑ N 1 E i ∩ F c ] ≤ E [ N 1 F + k 1 F c ] = N P ( F ) + k ( 1 − P ( F ) ) . \leq\mathbb{E}[N\mathbf{1}_{F}+k\mathbf{1}_{F^{c}}]=N\mathbb{P}(F)+k(1-\mathbb{P}(F)). ≤ E [ N 1 F + k 1 F c ] = N P ( F ) + k ( 1 − P ( F )) . The desired eq. (13) follows by rearranging. □
We proceed to consider some of the consequences of Theorem 5.3.
Proposition 5.5. Let μ ∈ IRS ( SL ∞ ( F q ) ) \mu\in\operatorname{IRS}(\operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q})) μ ∈ IRS ( SL ∞ ( F q )) be a non-trivial ergodic invariant random subgroup . Then for every n ∈ N n\in\mathbb{N} n ∈ N and for μ \mu μ -almost every subgroup H ∈ Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q ) ) H\in\operatorname{Sub}(\operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q})) H ∈ Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) there exists a finitary basis f f f such that SL n ( f ) ≤ H \operatorname{SL}_{n}(f)\leq H SL n ( f ) ≤ H .
Proof. For each n ∈ N n\in\mathbb{N} n ∈ N the subset
E n = { H ∈ Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q ) ) : there exists a finitary basis f such that SL n ( f ) ≤ H } E_{n}=\{H\in\operatorname{Sub}(\operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q})):\text{ there exists a finitary basis }f\text{ such that }\operatorname{SL}_{n}(f)\leq H\} E n = { H ∈ Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) : there exists a finitary basis f such that SL n ( f ) ≤ H } is SL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) SL ∞ ( F q ) -invariant. Hence by ergodicity μ ( E n ) ∈ { 0 , 1 } \mu(E_{n})\in\{0,1\} μ ( E n ) ∈ { 0 , 1 } . Theorem 5.3 implies that μ ( { H : SL n ( F q ) ≤ H } ) > 0 \mu(\{H:\operatorname{SL}_{n}(\mathbb{F}_{q})\leq H\})>0 μ ({ H : SL n ( F q ) ≤ H }) > 0 for all n n n which are greater or equal to some n 0 ∈ N n_{0}\in\mathbb{N} n 0 ∈ N . For n < n 0 n<n_{0} n < n 0 we note that
μ ( { H : SL n ( F q ) ≤ H } ) ≥ μ ( { H : SL n 0 ( F q ) ≤ H } ) > 0. \mu(\{H:\operatorname{SL}_{n}(\mathbb{F}_{q})\leq H\})\geq\mu(\{H:\operatorname{SL}_{n_{0}}(\mathbb{F}_{q})\leq H\})>0. μ ({ H : SL n ( F q ) ≤ H }) ≥ μ ({ H : SL n 0 ( F q ) ≤ H }) > 0. Hence μ ( E n ) ≥ μ ( { H : SL n ( F q ) ≤ H } ) > 0 \mu(E_{n})\geq\mu(\{H:\operatorname{SL}_{n}(\mathbb{F}_{q})\leq H\})>0 μ ( E n ) ≥ μ ({ H : SL n ( F q ) ≤ H }) > 0 . So μ ( E n ) = 1 \mu(E_{n})=1 μ ( E n ) = 1 for all n ∈ N n\in\mathbb{N} n ∈ N . □
Remark 5.6. We obtain the tentative result saying that a μ \mu μ -random subgroup H H H with respect to a non-trivial invariant random subgroup μ \mu μ of SL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) SL ∞ ( F q ) is not solvable. Of course, this conclusion would a posteriori follow from our main result Theorem 1.1 , and can be seen as partial progress towards it.
We complete the classification of ergodic invariant random subgroups of degree 0.
Proposition 5.7. Let μ ∈ IRS ( SL ∞ ( F q ) ) \mu\in\operatorname{IRS}(\operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q})) μ ∈ IRS ( SL ∞ ( F q )) be an ergodic invariant random subgroup . If r ( μ ) = 0 r(\mu)=0 r ( μ ) = 0 then μ = δ SL ∞ ( F q ) \mu=\delta_{\operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q})} μ = δ SL ∞ ( F q ) .
Proof. Assume that the degree r ( μ ) r(\mu) r ( μ ) is 0 0 0 . By Theorem 5.3 we observe that
μ ( { H : S L ∞ ( F q ) ≤ H } ) = lim n → ∞ μ ( { H : S L n ( F q ) ≤ H } ) = lim n → ∞ a 0 ( μ ) ( 1 − o ( 1 ) ) = a 0 > 0. \mu\left(\left\{H:\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)\leq H\right\}\right)=\lim_{n\to\infty}\mu\left(\left\{H:\mathrm{SL}_{n}(\mathbb{F}_q)\leq H\right\}\right)=\lim_{n\to\infty}a_0(\mu)(1-o(1))=a_0>0. μ ( { H : SL ∞ ( F q ) ≤ H } ) = n → ∞ lim μ ( { H : SL n ( F q ) ≤ H } ) = n → ∞ lim a 0 ( μ ) ( 1 − o ( 1 )) = a 0 > 0.
Because the event { H : S L ∞ ( F q ) ≤ H } \left\{H:\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)\leq H\right\} { H : SL ∞ ( F q ) ≤ H } is S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) -invariant, it must occur with probability one by ergodicity.
The intersection map from S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) to A ∞ A_{\infty} A ∞
We use the Vershik trace of the given invariant random subgroup μ \mu μ to identify its image ν f \nu_f ν f under the intersection map IRS ( S L ∞ ( F q ) ) → IRS ( A ∞ ( f ) ) \operatorname{IRS}(\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q))\to\operatorname{IRS}(A_{\infty}(f)) IRS ( SL ∞ ( F q )) → IRS ( A ∞ ( f )) given a finitary basis f f f .
We use notations from § 4.3 . For each k ∈ N k\in\mathbb{N} k ∈ N define α k ∈ D \alpha^k\in\mathcal{D} α k ∈ D to be the sequence given by
α i k = { 1 / q k , 1 ≤ i ≤ q k , 0 , i = 0 or i > q k . \alpha_i^k=
\begin{cases}
1/q^k, & 1\leq i\leq q^k,\\
0, & i=0\text{ or }i>q^k.
\end{cases} α i k = { 1/ q k , 0 , 1 ≤ i ≤ q k , i = 0 or i > q k .
Define α ∞ ∈ D \alpha^\infty\in\mathcal{D} α ∞ ∈ D to be the sequence given by α 0 ∞ = 1 \alpha_0^\infty=1 α 0 ∞ = 1 and α i ∞ = 0 \alpha_i^\infty=0 α i ∞ = 0 for all i ∈ N i\in\mathbb{N} i ∈ N . For each k ∈ N 0 ∪ { ∞ } k\in\mathbb{N}_0\cup\{\infty\} k ∈ N 0 ∪ { ∞ } consider the invariant random subgroup
ν k = ν α k E ∈ IRS ( A ∞ ) . \nu_k=\nu_{\alpha^k}^{E}\in\operatorname{IRS}(A_\infty). ν k = ν α k E ∈ IRS ( A ∞ ) .
In other words ν k \nu_k ν k is the stabilizer distribution of a random coloring of the set N \mathbb{N} N using q k q^k q k distinct colors independently and with equal probabilities.
Proposition 5.8. Let μ \mu μ be an invariant random subgroup of S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) of degree r ( μ ) < ∞ r(\mu)<\infty r ( μ ) < ∞ . For every finitary basis f f f the image ν f \nu_f ν f of μ \mu μ under the intersection map IRS ( S L ∞ ( F q ) ) → IRS ( A ∞ ( f ) ) \operatorname{IRS}(\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q))\to\operatorname{IRS}(A_{\infty}(f)) IRS ( SL ∞ ( F q )) → IRS ( A ∞ ( f )) admits the ergodic decomposition
ν f = ∑ k = r ( μ ) ∞ a k ( μ ) ν k + a ∞ ( μ ) ν ∞ . (14) \nu_f=\sum_{k=r(\mu)}^\infty a_k(\mu)\nu_k+a_\infty(\mu)\nu_\infty. \tag*{(14)} ν f = k = r ( μ ) ∑ ∞ a k ( μ ) ν k + a ∞ ( μ ) ν ∞ . (14) The coefficients a k ( μ ) a_k(\mu) a k ( μ ) appearing in eq. (14) correspond to the ergodic decomposition of the Vershik trace χ μ \chi_\mu χ μ as in eq. (10) .
Proof of Theorem 5.8. Fix a finitary basis f f f . To ease our notations, set r = r ( μ ) r=r(\mu) r = r ( μ ) , a k = a k ( μ ) a_k=a_k(\mu) a k = a k ( μ ) for all k k k , and ν = ν f \nu=\nu_f ν = ν f . We first calculate the Vershik trace χ ν \chi_\nu χ ν associated to ν \nu ν . Notice that χ ν \chi_\nu χ ν is by definition the restriction to the subgroup A ∞ ( f ) A_\infty(f) A ∞ ( f ) of the Vershik trace χ μ \chi_\mu χ μ associated to μ \mu μ . Let σ ∈ A ∞ \sigma\in A_\infty σ ∈ A ∞ be any non-trivial element. Let σ 1 , … , σ t \sigma_1,\ldots,\sigma_t σ 1 , … , σ t be the distinct cycles of σ \sigma σ and let ℓ i \ell_i ℓ i be the length of σ i \sigma_i σ i . In the permutation representation we have rk ~ σ i = ℓ i − 1 \widetilde{\operatorname{rk}}\sigma_i=\ell_i-1 rk σ i = ℓ i − 1 . Therefore
χ ν ( σ ) = χ μ ( σ ) = ∑ k = r ∞ a k q − k rk ~ σ = ∑ k = r ∞ a k ∏ ℓ = 2 ∞ ( q − k ( ℓ − 1 ) ) c ℓ ( σ ) = ∑ k = r ∞ a k ∏ ℓ = 2 ∞ ( ∑ i = 1 q k ( 1 q k ) ℓ ) c ℓ ( σ ) = ∑ k = r ∞ a k χ ( α k ; 0 ) ( σ ) = ∑ k = r ∞ a k χ ( α k ; 0 ) ( σ ) + a ∞ χ ( α ∞ ; 0 ) ( σ ) . \begin{aligned}
\chi_\nu(\sigma)=\chi_\mu(\sigma)&=\sum_{k=r}^{\infty}a_kq^{-k\widetilde{\operatorname{rk}}\sigma}
=\sum_{k=r}^{\infty}a_k\prod_{\ell=2}^{\infty}\left(q^{-k(\ell-1)}\right)^{c_\ell(\sigma)}\\
&=\sum_{k=r}^{\infty}a_k\prod_{\ell=2}^{\infty}\left(\sum_{i=1}^{q^k}\left(\frac{1}{q^k}\right)^\ell\right)^{c_\ell(\sigma)}
=\sum_{k=r}^{\infty}a_k\chi_{(\alpha^k;0)}(\sigma)\\
&=\sum_{k=r}^{\infty}a_k\chi_{(\alpha^k;0)}(\sigma)+a_\infty\chi_{(\alpha^\infty;0)}(\sigma).
\end{aligned} χ ν ( σ ) = χ μ ( σ ) = k = r ∑ ∞ a k q − k rk σ = k = r ∑ ∞ a k ℓ = 2 ∏ ∞ ( q − k ( ℓ − 1 ) ) c ℓ ( σ ) = k = r ∑ ∞ a k ℓ = 2 ∏ ∞ i = 1 ∑ q k ( q k 1 ) ℓ c ℓ ( σ ) = k = r ∑ ∞ a k χ ( α k ; 0 ) ( σ ) = k = r ∑ ∞ a k χ ( α k ; 0 ) ( σ ) + a ∞ χ ( α ∞ ; 0 ) ( σ ) .
This relation clearly holds also for the trivial permutation σ = id \sigma=\operatorname{id} σ = id . Overall, we get
χ ν = ∑ k = r ∞ a k χ ( α k ; 0 ) + a ∞ χ ( α ∞ ; 0 ) . (15) \chi_\nu=\sum_{k=r}^{\infty}a_k\chi_{(\alpha^k;0)}+a_\infty\chi_{(\alpha^\infty;0)}. \tag*{(15)} χ ν = k = r ∑ ∞ a k χ ( α k ; 0 ) + a ∞ χ ( α ∞ ; 0 ) . (15)
By Choquet theory, there exists a probability measure m m m on the ergodic invariant random subgroups of A ∞ A_{\infty} A ∞ such that
ν = ∫ Extr ( IRS ( A ∞ ) ) λ d m ( λ ) . \nu= \int_{\operatorname{Extr}(\operatorname{IRS}(A_{\infty}))} \lambda\, \mathrm{d}m(\lambda). ν = ∫ Extr ( IRS ( A ∞ )) λ d m ( λ ) .
Let tr : IRS ( A ∞ ) → Tr ( A ∞ ) \operatorname{tr} : \operatorname{IRS}(A_{\infty}) \to\operatorname{Tr}(A_{\infty}) tr : IRS ( A ∞ ) → Tr ( A ∞ ) denote the Vershik trace map, i.e. tr ( λ ) = χ λ \operatorname{tr}(\lambda) = \chi_{\lambda} tr ( λ ) = χ λ . Applying this map to the above, we get
tr ( ν ) = χ ν = ∫ Extr ( IRS ( A ∞ ) ) χ λ d m ( λ ) = ∫ Tr ( A ∞ ) χ d ( tr ∗ m ) ( χ ) . (16) \operatorname{tr}(\nu) = \chi_{\nu} = \int_{\operatorname{Extr}(\operatorname{IRS}(A_{\infty}))} \chi_{\lambda} \, \mathrm{d}m(\lambda) = \int_{\operatorname{Tr}(A_{\infty})} \chi\, \mathrm{d}(\operatorname{tr}_{*}m)(\chi). \tag*{(16)} tr ( ν ) = χ ν = ∫ Extr ( IRS ( A ∞ )) χ λ d m ( λ ) = ∫ Tr ( A ∞ ) χ d ( tr ∗ m ) ( χ ) . (16)
Recall from § 4.2 that the set of traces of a group forms a Choquet simplex. That is, the ergodic decomposition of a trace is unique. Comparing eq. (16) to eq. (15) , we see that tr ∗ m \operatorname{tr}_{*}m tr ∗ m must be supported on characters whose ergodic decomposition is contained in the set { χ ( α k ; 0 ) : k ∈ N ≥ r ∪ { ∞ } } \{\chi_{(\alpha_k;0)} : k \in\mathbb{N}_{\ge r} \cup\{\infty\}\} { χ ( α k ; 0 ) : k ∈ N ≥ r ∪ { ∞ }} . It is also supported on the Vershik traces of ergodic invariant random subgroups of A ∞ A_{\infty} A ∞ . By Theorem 4.6 and the formula preceding it, we must have ν = ∑ k = r ∞ a k ν α k + a ∞ ν α ∞ \nu= \sum_{k=r}^{\infty} a_k \nu_{\alpha_k} + a_{\infty}\nu_{\alpha_{\infty}} ν = ∑ k = r ∞ a k ν α k + a ∞ ν α ∞ , as required. □
Let us work out some consequences of the previous proposition.
Proposition 5.9. Let μ ∈ IRS ( SL ∞ ( F q ) ) \mu\in\operatorname{IRS}(\operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) μ ∈ IRS ( SL ∞ ( F q )) be an invariant random subgroup. Then μ \mu μ -almost every non-trivial subgroup H ∈ Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q ) ) H \in\operatorname{Sub}(\operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) H ∈ Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) satisfies H ∩ A ∞ ( f ) ≠ { I } H \cap A_{\infty}(f) \ne\{I\} H ∩ A ∞ ( f ) = { I } for every finitary basis f f f .
In particular, if μ \mu μ is ergodic and non-trivial then μ \mu μ -almost every subgroup H H H satisfies H ∩ A ∞ ( f ) ≠ { I } H \cap A_{\infty}(f) \ne\{I\} H ∩ A ∞ ( f ) = { I } for all finitary bases f f f .
Proof of Theorem 5.9. Let f f f be any fixed finitary basis. Making use of the ergodic decomposition, we may assume without loss of generality that μ \mu μ is ergodic and that μ ≠ δ { I } \mu\ne\delta_{\{I\}} μ = δ { I } . We know by Theorem 5.5 that μ \mu μ -almost every subgroup H H H admits some finitary basis f ′ f' f ′ satisfying SL 3 ( f ′ ) ≤ H \operatorname{SL}_{3}(f') \le H SL 3 ( f ′ ) ≤ H . The permutation matrices in SL 3 ( f ′ ) ∩ A ∞ ( f ′ ) \operatorname{SL}_{3}(f') \cap A_{\infty}(f') SL 3 ( f ′ ) ∩ A ∞ ( f ′ ) show that the intersection H ∩ A ∞ ( f ′ ) H \cap A_{\infty}(f') H ∩ A ∞ ( f ′ ) is non-trivial. Theorem 5.8 implies that μ \mu μ -almost surely there is an infinite subset c ⊆ N c \subseteq\mathbb{N} c ⊆ N such that A c ( f ′ ) ≤ H A_c(f') \le H A c ( f ′ ) ≤ H (such a subset will be called a color in § 6 ). The two bases f f f and f ′ f' f ′ agree starting from some basis element, namely f n = f ′ n f^n = f'{}^n f n = f ′ n for all n ≥ n 0 n \ge n_0 n ≥ n 0 for some n 0 ∈ N n_0 \in\mathbb{N} n 0 ∈ N . Thus
A c ∩ N ≥ n 0 ( f ) = A c ∩ N ≥ n 0 ( f ′ ) ≤ H . A_{c \cap\mathbb{N}_{\ge n_0}}(f) = A_{c \cap\mathbb{N}_{\ge n_0}}(f') \le H. A c ∩ N ≥ n 0 ( f ) = A c ∩ N ≥ n 0 ( f ′ ) ≤ H .
This is a non-trivial subgroup containing permutation matrices in the basis f f f . We conclude that A ∞ ( f ) ∩ H ≠ { I } A_{\infty}(f) \cap H \ne\{I\} A ∞ ( f ) ∩ H = { I } , as required. □
Corollary 5.10. Let μ ∈ IRS ( SL ∞ ( F q ) ) \mu\in\operatorname{IRS}(\operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) μ ∈ IRS ( SL ∞ ( F q )) be an ergodic invariant random subgroup. If μ \mu μ is non-trivial then a ∞ ( μ ) = 0 a_{\infty}(\mu) = 0 a ∞ ( μ ) = 0 .
Proof. The ergodic decomposition of the image of the intersection map (see Theorem 5.8 ) shows that a ∞ ( μ ) a_{\infty}(\mu) a ∞ ( μ ) is equal to the probability that H ∩ A ∞ ( e ) = { I } H \cap A_{\infty}(e) = \{I\} H ∩ A ∞ ( e ) = { I } , where e e e is the standard basis. By Theorem 5.9 this condition is μ \mu μ -almost surely equivalent to saying that H = { I } H = \{I\} H = { I } . The ergodicity of μ \mu μ implies that μ ( { { I } } ) ∈ { 0 , 1 } \mu(\{\{I\}\}) \in\{0,1\} μ ({{ I }}) ∈ { 0 , 1 } . Since μ \mu μ is non-trivial, this probability must be 0. □
The coloring equivalence relation
In this section we define the coloring equivalence relation corresponding to a subgroup of SL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) and a finitary basis f f f . We define the corresponding “colors” as the equivalence classes of this relation. The basic properties of the coloring, combined with the results from § 5 , will allow us to show in Theorem 6.8 that the Vershik trace of a non-trivial ergodic invariant random subgroup μ \mu μ is precisely χ r ( μ ) \chi_{r(\mu)} χ r ( μ ) where r ( μ ) r(\mu) r ( μ ) is the degree. Moreover, we define an action of the group G L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) on color vectors and examine its properties. This action will be shown to satisfy the assumptions of our abstract Theorem 3.2 , thereby allowing us to equivariantly identify the space of color vectors Col ( H ) N \operatorname{Col}(H)^{\mathbb{N}} Col ( H ) N with the vector space V k , ℓ V^{k,\ell} V k , ℓ .
Definition of colors
The primary focus of this section is the following object. We use notations from § 4.6 .
Definition 6.1. Let f f f be a finitary basis.
R f : Sub ( S L ∞ ( F q ) ) → E ( N ) , R f ( H ) = O ( H ∩ A ∞ ( f ) ) R_f \colon\operatorname{Sub}(\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) \to\mathcal{E}(\mathbb{N}), \qquad R_f(H)=\mathcal{O}(H\cap A_{\infty}(f)) R f : Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) → E ( N ) , R f ( H ) = O ( H ∩ A ∞ ( f )) where O \mathcal{O} O is the orbit map (Theorem 4.7). In other words, the map R f R_f R f associates to each subgroup of S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) the orbit equivalence relation of the even permutation matrices in basis f f f contained in that subgroup.
The coloring partition of H H H in the basis f f f is the partition of N \mathbb{N} N corresponding to the equivalence relation R f ( H ) R_f(H) R f ( H ) . It will be denoted by Col f ( H ) \operatorname{Col}_f(H) Col f ( H ) . The elements of Col f ( H ) \operatorname{Col}_f(H) Col f ( H ) are the colors of H H H in the basis f f f .
An index i ∈ N i\in\mathbb{N} i ∈ N is colored in the color c c c for the subgroup H H H in the basis f f f if c ∈ Col f ( H ) c\in\operatorname{Col}_f(H) c ∈ Col f ( H ) and i ∈ c i\in c i ∈ c .
Given a non-trivial ergodic invariant random subgroup μ ∈ IRS ( S L ∞ ( F q ) ) \mu\in\operatorname{IRS}(\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) μ ∈ IRS ( SL ∞ ( F q )) and a finitary basis f f f , we can control the distribution of the equivalence relation R f R_f R f . For each k ∈ N k\in\mathbb{N} k ∈ N let α k ∈ D \alpha^k\in\mathcal{D} α k ∈ D be the sequence defined in § 5.3 . Let λ k = λ α k \lambda_k=\lambda_{\alpha^k} λ k = λ α k be the A ∞ A_{\infty} A ∞ -invariant ergodic probability measure on E ( N ) \mathcal{E}(\mathbb{N}) E ( N ) associated to the sequence α k \alpha^k α k (see § 4.6 ). Combining Theorem 4.8, the information from § 5.3 and taking into account all of the involved definitions gives the decomposition
( R f ) ∗ μ = ∑ k = r ( μ ) ∞ a k ( μ ) λ k . (17) (R_f)_*\mu=\sum_{k=r(\mu)}^{\infty}a_k(\mu)\lambda_k. \tag*{(17)} ( R f ) ∗ μ = k = r ( μ ) ∑ ∞ a k ( μ ) λ k . (17)
We immediately obtain the following.
Proposition 6.2. Let μ \mu μ be an invariant random subgroup of S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) and f f f be a finitary basis. Then for μ \mu μ -almost every non-trivial subgroup H ∈ Sub ( S L ∞ ( F q ) ) H\in\operatorname{Sub}(\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) H ∈ Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q ))
(1) any color in Col f ( H ) \operatorname{Col}_f(H) Col f ( H ) is an infinite subset of N \mathbb{N} N , and
(2) a permutation matrix σ ∈ A ∞ ( f ) \sigma\in A_{\infty}(f) σ ∈ A ∞ ( f ) belongs to H H H if and only if every cycle of σ \sigma σ is colored the same color in the basis f f f for the subgroup H H H . In particular, if c ∈ Col f ( H ) c\in\operatorname{Col}_f(H) c ∈ Col f ( H ) then A c ( f ) ≤ H A_c(f)\leq H A c ( f ) ≤ H .
Any finitary basis f f f coincides with the standard basis e e e in all but a finite number of vectors. Hence for a μ \mu μ -generic non-trivial subgroup H H H , every color in Col f ( H ) \operatorname{Col}_f(H) Col f ( H ) differs by a finite number of elements from a color of Col e ( H ) \operatorname{Col}_e(H) Col e ( H ) . Since all colors are infinite, we obtain a natural identification of the colors in Col e ( H ) \operatorname{Col}_e(H) Col e ( H ) with the colors in Col f ( H ) \operatorname{Col}_f(H) Col f ( H ) . This observation allows us to talk of colors without having to specify a particular finitary basis.
Definition 6.3. Let μ ∈ IRS ( S L ∞ ( F q ) ) \mu\in\operatorname{IRS}(\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) μ ∈ IRS ( SL ∞ ( F q )) be an invariant random subgroup. Let H H H be a μ \mu μ -generic non-trivial subgroup.
The colors Col ( H ) \operatorname{Col}(H) Col ( H ) of the subgroup H H H are its colors in any finitary basis, up to the above natural identification.
The color vector of the subgroup H H H in the finitary basis f f f is the point in ∏ i ∈ N Col ( H ) \prod_{i\in\mathbb{N}}\operatorname{Col}(H) ∏ i ∈ N Col ( H ) whose i i i th entry is the color of the index i ∈ N i\in\mathbb{N} i ∈ N in the basis f f f . It will be denoted by color f ( H ) \operatorname{color}_f(H) color f ( H ) .
Note that the color vector of a subgroup does depend on the choice of a finitary basis (even if its set of colors does not). The number of colors ∣ Col ( H ) ∣ |\operatorname{Col}(H)| ∣ Col ( H ) ∣ of a μ \mu μ -generic non-trivial subgroup is a power of q q q .
The number of colors
We will now define a σ \sigma σ -algebra on Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q ) ) \operatorname{Sub}(\operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q})) Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) consisting of events which depend only on colors of far-away elements of finitary bases. We show that the number of colors is measurable with respect to this σ \sigma σ -algebra. This allows us to prove that an ergodic invariant random subgroup has Vershik trace equal precisely to χ r ( μ ) \chi_{r}(\mu) χ r ( μ ) .
Definition 6.5. Fix an arbitrary finitary basis f f f . Let R f > n : Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q ) ) → E ( N > n ) R_{f}^{>n} : \operatorname{Sub}(\operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q})) \to\mathcal{E}(\mathbb{N}_{>n}) R f > n : Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) → E ( N > n ) be the function that maps each subgroup H ∈ Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q ) ) H \in\operatorname{Sub}(\operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q})) H ∈ Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) to the restriction of the equivalence relation R f ( H ) R_{f}(H) R f ( H ) to N > n \mathbb{N}_{>n} N > n . Define the σ \sigma σ -algebra T n \mathcal{T}_{n} T n to be the σ \sigma σ -algebra on Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q ) ) \operatorname{Sub}(\operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q})) Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) generated by the map R f > n R_{f}^{>n} R f > n . The tail color σ \sigma σ -algebra is the intersection T = ⋂ n ∈ N T n \mathcal{T}=\bigcap_{n\in\mathbb{N}}\mathcal{T}_{n} T = ⋂ n ∈ N T n .
Note that the tail color σ \sigma σ -algebra is independent of the choice of f f f .
Proposition 6.6. Let μ \mu μ be an invariant random subgroup of SL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) SL ∞ ( F q ) . For each n ∈ N n\in\mathbb{N} n ∈ N the σ \sigma σ -algebra T n \mathcal{T}_{n} T n is SL n ( F q ) \operatorname{SL}_{n}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) SL n ( F q ) -invariant modulo μ \mu μ -null sets, namely, for all E ∈ T n E\in\mathcal{T}_{n} E ∈ T n and g ∈ SL n ( F q ) g\in\operatorname{SL}_{n}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) g ∈ SL n ( F q ) we have μ ( E △ g E g − 1 ) = 0 \mu(E\mathbin{\triangle}gEg^{-1})=0 μ ( E △ g E g − 1 ) = 0 .
It follows that the σ \sigma σ -algebra T \mathcal{T} T is SL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) SL ∞ ( F q ) -invariant modulo μ \mu μ -null sets. In particular, if μ \mu μ is ergodic then T \mathcal{T} T is μ \mu μ -trivial, in the sense that μ ( E ) ∈ { 0 , 1 } \mu(E)\in\{0,1\} μ ( E ) ∈ { 0 , 1 } for all E ∈ T E\in\mathcal{T} E ∈ T .
Proof of Theorem 6.6. Fix an arbitrary finitary basis f f f . First, we claim that μ \mu μ -almost every subgroup H ∈ Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q ) ) H\in\operatorname{Sub}(\operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q})) H ∈ Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) satisfies the following property: if n < i < j ∈ N n<i<j\in\mathbb{N} n < i < j ∈ N are three indices and g ∈ SL n ( F q ) g\in\operatorname{SL}_{n}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) g ∈ SL n ( F q ) is an element then ( i , j ) ∈ R f ( H ) (i,j)\in R_{f}(H) ( i , j ) ∈ R f ( H ) if and only if ( i , j ) ∈ R f ( g H g − 1 ) (i,j)\in R_{f}(gHg^{-1}) ( i , j ) ∈ R f ( g H g − 1 ) . Indeed, let H H H be a μ \mu μ -generic subgroup, and suppose i i i and j j j are colored in the same color in the basis f f f for the subgroup H H H . The intersection H ∩ A ∞ ( f ) H\cap A_{\infty}(f) H ∩ A ∞ ( f ) cannot be trivial, since in that case all colors are singletons. Hence the common color c c c of i i i and j j j is infinite, and A c ( f ) ⊆ H A_{c}(f)\subseteq H A c ( f ) ⊆ H . Let σ ∈ A c ∩ N > n ( f ) \sigma\in A_{c\cap\mathbb{N}_{>n}}(f) σ ∈ A c ∩ N > n ( f ) be any permutation matrix which swaps i i i and j j j . Then σ \sigma σ commutes with g g g , i.e. σ = g σ g − 1 ∈ g H g − 1 \sigma=g\sigma g^{-1}\in gHg^{-1} σ = g σ g − 1 ∈ g H g − 1 . This implies ( i , j ) ∈ R f ( g H g − 1 ) (i,j)\in R_{f}(gHg^{-1}) ( i , j ) ∈ R f ( g H g − 1 ) , which shows one direction of the claim. The reverse direction is established analogously, by using the fact that the conjugate g − 1 H g g^{-1}Hg g − 1 H g is also μ \mu μ -generic.
We now exhibit a π \pi π -system which generates the σ \sigma σ -algebra T n \mathcal{T}_{n} T n and is SL n ( F q ) \operatorname{SL}_{n}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) SL n ( F q ) -invariant modulo μ \mu μ -null sets. We look at events of the following form. Let ( i 1 , j 1 ) , … , ( i a , j a ) (i_{1},j_{1}),\ldots,(i_{a},j_{a}) ( i 1 , j 1 ) , … , ( i a , j a ) and ( s 1 , t 1 ) , … , ( s b , t b ) (s_{1},t_{1}),\ldots,(s_{b},t_{b}) ( s 1 , t 1 ) , … , ( s b , t b ) for some a , b ∈ N a,b\in\mathbb{N} a , b ∈ N be pairs of indices all greater than n n n . We define the event
E = { H ∈ Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q ) ) : ∀ 1 ≤ k ≤ a , ( i k , j k ) ∈ R f ( H ) ∧ ∀ 1 ≤ ℓ ≤ b , ( s ℓ , t ℓ ) ∉ R f ( H ) } . E=\{H\in\operatorname{Sub}(\operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q})):\ \forall1\leq k\leq a,\ (i_{k},j_{k})\in R_{f}(H)\land\forall1\leq\ell\leq b,\ (s_{\ell},t_{\ell})\notin R_{f}(H)\}. E = { H ∈ Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) : ∀1 ≤ k ≤ a , ( i k , j k ) ∈ R f ( H ) ∧ ∀1 ≤ ℓ ≤ b , ( s ℓ , t ℓ ) ∈ / R f ( H )} .
The set of all such events E E E is a generating π \pi π -system for T n \mathcal{T}_{n} T n . The previous claim shows that μ ( g E g − 1 △ E ) = 0 \mu(gEg^{-1}\mathbin{\triangle}E)=0 μ ( g E g − 1 △ E ) = 0 for all g ∈ SL n ( F q ) g\in\operatorname{SL}_{n}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) g ∈ SL n ( F q ) , as required. □ \square □
Proposition 6.7. Let μ ∈ IRS ( SL ∞ ( F q ) ) \mu\in\operatorname{IRS}(\operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q})) μ ∈ IRS ( SL ∞ ( F q )) be a non-trivial ergodic invariant random subgroup. The number of colors ∣ Col ( H ) ∣ |\operatorname{Col}(H)| ∣ Col ( H ) ∣ of the subgroup H H H is μ \mu μ -almost surely constant.
Proof. We claim that the number-of-colors map
N C : Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q ) ) ⟶ N ∪ { ∞ } , N C : H ↦ ∣ Col ( H ) ∣ \mathcal{N}\mathcal{C}:\operatorname{Sub}(\operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q}))\longrightarrow\mathbb{N}\cup\{\infty\},\qquad\mathcal{N}\mathcal{C}:H\mapsto|\operatorname{Col}(H)| N C : Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) ⟶ N ∪ { ∞ } , N C : H ↦ ∣ Col ( H ) ∣
is T \mathcal{T} T -measurable. Recall the function N : E ( N ) → N ∪ { ∞ } \mathcal{N}:\mathcal{E}(\mathbb{N})\to\mathbb{N}\cup\{\infty\} N : E ( N ) → N ∪ { ∞ } which counts the number of equivalence classes of an equivalence relation (Theorem 4.7). Fix a finitary basis f f f . We may compose the map N \mathcal{N} N with the coloring relation map R f : Sub ( S L ∞ ( F q ) ) → E ( N ) R_f : \operatorname{Sub}(\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) \to\mathcal{E}(\mathbb{N}) R f : Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) → E ( N ) to get the number-of-colors in the basis f f f
N f : Sub ( S L ∞ ( F q ) ) → N 0 ∪ { ∞ } , N f = N ∘ R f . \mathcal{N}_f : \operatorname{Sub}(\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) \to\mathbb{N}_0 \cup\{ \infty\}, \qquad\mathcal{N}_f = \mathcal{N} \circ R_f . N f : Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) → N 0 ∪ { ∞ } , N f = N ∘ R f .
Note that the map N C \mathcal{N}C N C coincides μ \mu μ -almost surely with the map N f \mathcal{N}_f N f .
For a μ \mu μ -generic subgroup H H H , the equivalence classes of R f ( H ) R_f(H) R f ( H ) are all infinite. Hence their number is the same as the number of equivalence classes of R f > n ( H ) R_f^{>n}(H) R f > n ( H ) for any n ∈ N n \in\mathbb{N} n ∈ N . Thus N f = N f > n \mathcal{N}_f = \mathcal{N}_f^{>n} N f = N f > n , where N f > n : Sub ( S L ∞ ( F q ) ) → N 0 ∪ { ∞ } \mathcal{N}_f^{>n} : \operatorname{Sub}(\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) \to\mathbb{N}_0 \cup\{\infty\} N f > n : Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) → N 0 ∪ { ∞ } is the map which counts the number of equivalence classes of R f > n ( H ) R_f^{>n}(H) R f > n ( H ) . This map is T n \mathcal{T}_n T n -measurable, so that N f \mathcal{N}_f N f is T n \mathcal{T}_n T n -measurable for any n ∈ N n \in\mathbb{N} n ∈ N . Therefore the map N f \mathcal{N}_f N f and hence also N C \mathcal{N}C N C is T \mathcal{T} T -measurable.
Lastly, since T \mathcal{T} T is μ \mu μ -trivial, we conclude that the map N C \mathcal{N}C N C is μ \mu μ -almost surely constant. □
Proposition 6.8. Let μ \mu μ be a non-trivial ergodic invariant random subgroup of S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) . Let r = r ( μ ) r = r(\mu) r = r ( μ ) denote the degree of μ \mu μ . Then a r ( μ ) = 1 a_r(\mu) = 1 a r ( μ ) = 1 , that is, the Vershik trace associated to μ \mu μ is χ r \chi_r χ r . The number of colors of μ \mu μ -almost every subgroup is q r q^r q r .
Proof. Propositions 4.8 and 5.8 together imply that the value a k ( μ ) a_k(\mu) a k ( μ ) is equal to the probability that a μ \mu μ -random subgroup has q k q^k q k colors. Since the number of colors is μ \mu μ -almost surely constant, it must be the case that a r ( μ ) = 1 a_r(\mu) = 1 a r ( μ ) = 1 . Hence χ μ = χ r \chi_\mu= \chi_r χ μ = χ r . Thus the number of colors of a random subgroup is μ \mu μ -almost surely equal to q r q^r q r . □
The color red
Fix throughout the current § 6.3 a non-trivial ergodic invariant random subgroup μ ∈ IRS ( S L ∞ ( F q ) ) \mu\in\operatorname{IRS}(\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) μ ∈ IRS ( SL ∞ ( F q )) .
Proposition 6.9. For μ \mu μ -almost every subgroup H ∈ Sub ( S L ∞ ( F q ) ) H \in\operatorname{Sub}(\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) H ∈ Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) and for any finitary basis f f f there exists a unique color c ∈ Col f ( H ) c \in\operatorname{Col}_f(H) c ∈ Col f ( H ) such that S L c ( f ) ≤ H \mathrm{SL}_c(f) \le H SL c ( f ) ≤ H . The representative of the color c c c in the set Col ( H ) \operatorname{Col}(H) Col ( H ) is independent of the choice of the basis f f f .
Once established, this result will allow us to introduce the following key notion.
Definition 6.10. The unique color red ( H ) ∈ Col ( H ) \operatorname{red}(H) \in\operatorname{Col}(H) red ( H ) ∈ Col ( H ) given in Theorem 6.9 is called the red color of the μ \mu μ -generic subgroup H H H .
The proof of Theorem 6.9 will require some preparation.
Claim 6.11. Let f f f be a finitary basis. Then μ \mu μ -almost every subgroup H H H has the following property: if I ⊆ N I \subseteq\mathbb{N} I ⊆ N is a subset with ∣ I ∣ ≥ 3 |I| \ge3 ∣ I ∣ ≥ 3 such that S L I ( f ) ≤ H \mathrm{SL}_I(f) \le H SL I ( f ) ≤ H then the indices in I I I are colored in the same infinite color c ∈ Col f ( H ) c \in\operatorname{Col}_f(H) c ∈ Col f ( H ) and S L c ( f ) ≤ H \mathrm{SL}_c(f) \le H SL c ( f ) ≤ H .
Proof. Let H ∈ Sub ( S L ∞ ( F q ) ) H \in\operatorname{Sub}(\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) H ∈ Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) be a generic non-trivial subgroup and I ⊂ N I \subset\mathbb{N} I ⊂ N be a subset with ∣ I ∣ ≥ 3 |I| \ge3 ∣ I ∣ ≥ 3 such that S L I ( f ) ≤ H \mathrm{SL}_I(f) \le H SL I ( f ) ≤ H . The permutation matrices in S L I ( f ) \mathrm{SL}_I(f) SL I ( f ) show that all indices i ∈ I i \in I i ∈ I have the same color c ∈ Col f ( H ) c \in\operatorname{Col}_f(H) c ∈ Col f ( H ) , and that this color is infinite, see Theorem 6.2.
We wish to show that S L c ( f ) ≤ H \mathrm{SL}_c(f) \le H SL c ( f ) ≤ H in the above situation. It suffices to establish the following statement: if J J J is any finite subset of c c c with ∣ J ∣ ≥ 3 |J| \ge3 ∣ J ∣ ≥ 3 such that S L J ( f ) ≤ H \mathrm{SL}_J(f) \le H SL J ( f ) ≤ H then for all indices i ∈ c ∖ J i \in c \setminus J i ∈ c ∖ J we have S L J ∪ { i } ( f ) ≤ H \mathrm{SL}_{J \cup\{i\}}(f) \le H SL J ∪ { i } ( f ) ≤ H .
We prove the above statement. Let σ 0 \sigma_0 σ 0 be a permutation matrix in the f f f basis corresponding to a full cycle on the indices J ∪ { i } J \cup\{i\} J ∪ { i } . If σ 0 \sigma_0 σ 0 is even, we let σ = σ 0 ∈ A c ( f ) \sigma= \sigma_0 \in A_c(f) σ = σ 0 ∈ A c ( f ) . Otherwise, multiply σ 0 \sigma_0 σ 0 by a transposition swapping two arbitrary indices in c ∖ ( J ∪ { i } ) c \setminus(J \cup\{i\}) c ∖ ( J ∪ { i }) , and call this permutation matrix σ ∈ A c ( f ) \sigma\in A_c(f) σ ∈ A c ( f ) . Since A c ( f ) ⊆ A ∞ ( f ) ∩ H A_c(f) \subseteq A_{\infty}(f) \cap H A c ( f ) ⊆ A ∞ ( f ) ∩ H , it follows that σ ∈ H \sigma\in H σ ∈ H . Conjugate the subgroup S L J ( f ) \mathrm{SL}_J(f) SL J ( f ) by the matrix σ \sigma σ to get the subgroup S L J ′ ( f ) \mathrm{SL}_{J'}(f) SL J ′ ( f ) of H H H , where J ′ = ( J ∖ { σ ( i ) } ) ∪ { i } J' = (J \setminus\{\sigma(i)\}) \cup\{i\} J ′ = ( J ∖ { σ ( i )}) ∪ { i } . The two subgroups S L J ( f ) \mathrm{SL}_J(f) SL J ( f ) and S L J ′ ( f ) \mathrm{SL}_{J'}(f) SL J ′ ( f ) of H H H generate the subgroup S L J ∪ J ′ ( f ) = S L J ∪ { i } ( f ) ≤ H \mathrm{SL}_{J \cup J'}(f) = \mathrm{SL}_{J \cup\{i\}}(f) \le H SL J ∪ J ′ ( f ) = SL J ∪ { i } ( f ) ≤ H , as required. □
From what we have established already, the existence of the desired color is easy to show.
Claim 6.12. For μ \mu μ -almost every subgroup H ∈ Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q ) ) H \in\operatorname{Sub}(\operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) H ∈ Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) and for any finitary basis f f f there is a color c ∈ Col f ( H ) c \in\operatorname{Col}_{f}(H) c ∈ Col f ( H ) such that SL c ( f ) ≤ H \operatorname{SL}_{c}(f) \le H SL c ( f ) ≤ H .
Proof. Fix a finitary basis f f f . By Theorem 5.5 and Claim 6.11 , for μ \mu μ -almost every subgroup H ∈ Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q ) ) H \in\operatorname{Sub}(\operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) H ∈ Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) there is some finitary basis f ′ f' f ′ and some infinite color c ∈ Col ( H ) c \in\operatorname{Col}(H) c ∈ Col ( H ) for which SL c ( f ′ ) ≤ H \operatorname{SL}_{c}(f') \le H SL c ( f ′ ) ≤ H . The two finitary bases f f f and f ′ f' f ′ differ only by a finite number of vectors. Say f i = f i ′ f_i=f'_i f i = f i ′ for all i > n i>n i > n . In this case
SL c ∩ N > n ( f ) = SL c ∩ N > n ( f ′ ) ≤ H . \operatorname{SL}_{c\cap\mathbb{N}_{>n}}(f)=\operatorname{SL}_{c\cap\mathbb{N}_{>n}}(f')\le H. SL c ∩ N > n ( f ) = SL c ∩ N > n ( f ′ ) ≤ H . Another application of Claim 6.11 implies that SL c ( f ) ≤ H \operatorname{SL}_{c}(f)\le H SL c ( f ) ≤ H , as desired. □
The argument to show the uniqueness of the desired color will be quantitative. The rough idea is the following: assume we had two distinct colors c 1 , c 2 ∈ Col ( H ) c_1,c_2 \in\operatorname{Col}(H) c 1 , c 2 ∈ Col ( H ) with SL c i ( f ) ≤ H \operatorname{SL}_{c_i}(f)\le H SL c i ( f ) ≤ H for i = 1 , 2 i=1,2 i = 1 , 2 . Intuitively speaking, the probability of SL n ( f ) ≤ H \operatorname{SL}_{n}(f)\le H SL n ( f ) ≤ H would then be 2 q − r n 2q^{-rn} 2 q − r n (the first n n n coordinates are either all colored c 1 c_1 c 1 or all colored c 2 c_2 c 2 ). However, according to Theorem 5.3 this probability should be about q − r n q^{-rn} q − r n , a contradiction.
To make this quantitative argument rigorous, we make use of the notion of pointed partitions from Section 4.5. For a μ \mu μ -generic subgroup H ∈ Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q ) ) H \in\operatorname{Sub}(\operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) H ∈ Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) and a finitary basis f f f we consider the set of colors
Col f r e d ( H ) = { c ∈ Col f ( H ) : SL c ( f ) ≤ H } . \operatorname{Col}^{\mathrm{red}}_{f}(H)=\{c\in\operatorname{Col}_{f}(H):\operatorname{SL}_{c}(f)\le H\}. Col f red ( H ) = { c ∈ Col f ( H ) : SL c ( f ) ≤ H } .
We form the pointed partition P f r e d ( H ) ∈ E ∗ ( N ) P^{\mathrm{red}}_{f}(H)\in E^*(\mathbb{N}) P f red ( H ) ∈ E ∗ ( N ) which groups together all “non-red” colors. That is
P f r e d ( H ) = { { c : c ∈ Col f r e d ( H ) } ∪ { N ∖ ⋃ c ∈ Col f r e d ( H ) c } } ∈ E ∗ ( N ) P^{\mathrm{red}}_{f}(H)=\left\{ \{c:c\in\operatorname{Col}^{\mathrm{red}}_{f}(H)\}\cup\left\{\mathbb{N}\setminus\bigcup_{c\in\operatorname{Col}^{\mathrm{red}}_{f}(H)}c\right\}\right\}\in E^*(\mathbb{N}) P f red ( H ) = ⎩ ⎨ ⎧ { c : c ∈ Col f red ( H )} ∪ ⎩ ⎨ ⎧ N ∖ c ∈ Col f red ( H ) ⋃ c ⎭ ⎬ ⎫ ⎭ ⎬ ⎫ ∈ E ∗ ( N )
with N ∖ ⋃ c ∈ Col f r e d ( H ) c \mathbb{N}\setminus\bigcup_{c\in\operatorname{Col}^{\mathrm{red}}_{f}(H)}c N ∖ ⋃ c ∈ Col f red ( H ) c being the distinguished block.
Claim 6.13. Let f f f be a finitary basis. The μ \mu μ -measurable map P f r e d : Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q ) ) → E ∗ ( N ) P^{\mathrm{red}}_{f}:\operatorname{Sub}(\operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q))\to E^*(\mathbb{N}) P f red : Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) → E ∗ ( N ) is A ∞ A_{\infty} A ∞ -equivariant. Here A ∞ A_{\infty} A ∞ acts on Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q ) ) \operatorname{Sub}(\operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) by conjugation, through its embedding via permutation matrices in the basis f f f , namely A ∞ → A ∞ ( f ) ⊆ SL ∞ ( F q ) A_{\infty}\to A_{\infty}(f)\subseteq\operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) A ∞ → A ∞ ( f ) ⊆ SL ∞ ( F q ) .
Proof. Let H H H be a μ \mu μ -generic subgroup, and σ ∈ A ∞ \sigma\in A_{\infty} σ ∈ A ∞ be a permutation. Denote by σ f \sigma_f σ f the permutation matrix in A ∞ ( f ) A_{\infty}(f) A ∞ ( f ) corresponding to σ \sigma σ . The claim is equivalent to showing that the condition c ∈ Col f r e d ( H ) c\in\operatorname{Col}^{\mathrm{red}}_{f}(H) c ∈ Col f red ( H ) implies σ ⋅ c ∈ Col f r e d ( σ f H σ f − 1 ) \sigma\cdot c\in\operatorname{Col}^{\mathrm{red}}_{f}(\sigma_fH\sigma_f^{-1}) σ ⋅ c ∈ Col f red ( σ f H σ f − 1 ) . Notice that σ ⋅ c \sigma\cdot c σ ⋅ c is a color of σ f H σ f − 1 \sigma_fH\sigma_f^{-1} σ f H σ f − 1 . Since SL c ( f ) ≤ H \operatorname{SL}_{c}(f)\le H SL c ( f ) ≤ H , we have
SL σ ⋅ c ( f ) = σ f SL c ( f ) σ f − 1 ≤ σ f H σ f − 1 . \operatorname{SL}_{\sigma\cdot c}(f)=\sigma_f\operatorname{SL}_{c}(f)\sigma_f^{-1}\le\sigma_fH\sigma_f^{-1}. SL σ ⋅ c ( f ) = σ f SL c ( f ) σ f − 1 ≤ σ f H σ f − 1 . Hence σ ⋅ c ∈ Col f r e d ( σ f H σ f − 1 ) \sigma\cdot c\in\operatorname{Col}^{\mathrm{red}}_{f}(\sigma_fH\sigma_f^{-1}) σ ⋅ c ∈ Col f red ( σ f H σ f − 1 ) , as required. □
We are now ready to conclude the proof concerning the uniqueness of the red color.
Proof of Theorem 6.9. Let μ ∈ IRS ( SL ∞ ( F q ) ) \mu\in\operatorname{IRS}(\operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) μ ∈ IRS ( SL ∞ ( F q )) be a non-trivial ergodic invariant random subgroup. Let f f f be a finitary basis. Let
N f r e d : Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q ) ) → N 0 ∪ { ∞ } \mathcal{N}^{\mathrm{red}}_{f}:\operatorname{Sub}(\operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q))\to\mathbb{N}_0\cup\{\infty\} N f red : Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) → N 0 ∪ { ∞ }
be the map given by N f r e d ( H ) = ∣ Col f r e d ( H ) ∣ \mathcal{N}^{\mathrm{red}}_{f}(H)=\left|\operatorname{Col}^{\mathrm{red}}_{f}(H)\right| N f red ( H ) = Col f red ( H ) for each subgroup H ∈ Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q ) ) H\in\operatorname{Sub}(\operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) H ∈ Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) , i.e. the number of candidate red colors. Similarly to the proof of Theorem 6.7, one can show that N f r e d \mathcal{N}^{\mathrm{red}}_{f} N f red is T \mathcal{T} T -measurable, where T \mathcal{T} T is the tail color σ \sigma σ -algebra. Hence N f r e d \mathcal{N}^{\mathrm{red}}_{f} N f red is μ \mu μ -almost surely constant. Denote this constant value by N N N . Claim 6.12 implies that N > 0 N>0 N > 0 while Theorem 6.8 implies that N < ∞ N<\infty N < ∞ . We claim that in fact N = 1 N=1 N = 1 . By Claim 6.13, the pushforward probability measure λ = ( P f r e d ) ∗ μ \lambda=(P_f^{\mathrm{red}})_*\mu λ = ( P f red ) ∗ μ on the space of pointed partitions E ∗ ( N ) \mathcal{E}^*(\mathbb{N}) E ∗ ( N ) is A ∞ A_\infty A ∞ -invariant. There are N N N non-distinguished blocks and one distinguished block. By Equation (6.1) and the discussion preceding it we get ( R f ) ∗ μ = λ α r (R_f)_*\mu=\lambda_{\alpha^r} ( R f ) ∗ μ = λ α r where the sequence α r ∈ D \alpha^r\in\mathcal{D} α r ∈ D is uniform on the first q r q^r q r points. By the strong law of large numbers, for μ \mu μ -almost every subgroup the asymptotic density of each color in the basis f f f is equal to q − r ( μ ) q^{-r(\mu)} q − r ( μ ) . Group the N N N colors of Col f r e d ( H ) \operatorname{Col}^{\mathrm{red}}_f(H) Col f red ( H ) as the non-distinguished blocks, and the rest of the colors into the distinguished block. For λ \lambda λ -almost every pointed partition P ∈ E ∗ ( N ) P\in\mathcal{E}^*(\mathbb{N}) P ∈ E ∗ ( N ) the density vector D ( P ) D(P) D ( P ) considered in Theorem 4.11 is equal to the deterministic sequence α ∈ D ∗ \alpha\in\mathcal{D}^* α ∈ D ∗ given by
α n = { q − r ( μ ) , 1 ≤ n ≤ N , 1 − N q − r ( μ ) , n = − 1 , 0 , otherwise . \alpha_n=
\begin{cases}
q^{-r(\mu)}, & 1\le n\le N,\\
1-Nq^{-r(\mu)}, & n=-1,\\
0, & \text{otherwise}.
\end{cases} α n = ⎩ ⎨ ⎧ q − r ( μ ) , 1 − N q − r ( μ ) , 0 , 1 ≤ n ≤ N , n = − 1 , otherwise .
By Theorem 4.11 we have λ = λ α ∗ \lambda=\lambda_{\alpha}^* λ = λ α ∗ . In particular λ \lambda λ is ergodic. By Theorem 5.3 we get for any n ∈ N n\in\mathbb{N} n ∈ N that
q − r n ( 1 − o ( 1 ) ) = μ ( { SL n ( f ) ≤ H } ) = μ ( { 1 , … , n have the same color from Col f r e d ( H ) } ) = λ α ∗ ( { 1 , … , n belong to the same non-distinguished block } ) = N q − r n . \begin{aligned}
q^{-rn}(1-o(1))=\mu(\{\operatorname{SL}_n(f)\le H\})=\mu\left(\{1,\ldots,n\text{ have the same color from }\operatorname{Col}^{\mathrm{red}}_f(H)\}\right) \\
&=\lambda_\alpha^*\left(\{1,\ldots,n\text{ belong to the same non-distinguished block}\}\right)=Nq^{-rn}.
\end{aligned} q − r n ( 1 − o ( 1 )) = μ ({ SL n ( f ) ≤ H }) = μ ( { 1 , … , n have the same color from Col f red ( H )} ) = λ α ∗ ( { 1 , … , n belong to the same non-distinguished block } ) = N q − r n .
This implies N = 1 N=1 N = 1 , thereby completing the proof of the first part of the statement.
Lastly, let f f f and f ′ f' f ′ be a pair of finitary bases. Given a μ \mu μ -generic subgroup H H H , let c ∈ Col f ( H ) c\in\operatorname{Col}_f(H) c ∈ Col f ( H ) and c ′ ∈ Col f ′ ( H ) c'\in\operatorname{Col}_{f'}(H) c ′ ∈ Col f ′ ( H ) be the unique colors so that SL c ( f ) ≤ H \operatorname{SL}_c(f)\le H SL c ( f ) ≤ H and SL c ′ ( f ′ ) ≤ H \operatorname{SL}_{c'}(f')\le H SL c ′ ( f ′ ) ≤ H . There is a sufficiently large n 0 ∈ N n_0\in\mathbb{N} n 0 ∈ N such that f n = ( f ′ ) n f^n=(f')^n f n = ( f ′ ) n for all n > n 0 n>n_0 n > n 0 . This implies that
SL c ∩ N > n 0 ( f ′ ) = SL c ∩ N > n 0 ( f ) ≤ SL c ( f ) ≤ H . \operatorname{SL}_{c\cap\mathbb{N}_{>n_0}}(f')=\operatorname{SL}_{c\cap\mathbb{N}_{>n_0}}(f)\le\operatorname{SL}_c(f)\le H. SL c ∩ N > n 0 ( f ′ ) = SL c ∩ N > n 0 ( f ) ≤ SL c ( f ) ≤ H .
It follows from Claim 6.11 and the uniqueness of the color c ′ c' c ′ that the infinite intersection c ∩ N > n 0 c\cap\mathbb{N}_{>n_0} c ∩ N > n 0 is contained in c ′ c' c ′ . Therefore c c c and c ′ c' c ′ represent the same color in the set Col ( H ) \operatorname{Col}(H) Col ( H ) . □ \square □
GLn(Fq)-action on color vectors
Let μ ∈ IRS ( SL ∞ ( F q ) ) \mu\in\operatorname{IRS}(\operatorname{SL}_\infty(\mathbb{F}_q)) μ ∈ IRS ( SL ∞ ( F q )) be a fixed non-trivial ergodic invariant random subgroup. Recall that the distribution of the coloring relation is ( R e ) ∗ μ = λ r ( μ ) (R_e)_*\mu=\lambda_{r(\mu)} ( R e ) ∗ μ = λ r ( μ ) . Hence for μ \mu μ -almost every subgroup H ∈ Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q ) ) H\in\operatorname{Sub}(\operatorname{SL}_\infty(\mathbb{F}_q)) H ∈ Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) and for each n ∈ N n\in\mathbb{N} n ∈ N , every point in Col ( H ) n \operatorname{Col}(H)^n Col ( H ) n appears as the tuple color e ( H ) I \operatorname{color}_e(H)_I color e ( H ) I for an infinite number of subsets I ⊆ N I\subseteq\mathbb{N} I ⊆ N with ∣ I ∣ = n |I|=n ∣ I ∣ = n and with min I \min I min I being arbitrarily large (this index subscript notation was introduced in Section 3).
Recall that the color vector color f ( H ) ∈ Col ( H ) N \operatorname{color}_f(H)\in\operatorname{Col}(H)^{\mathbb{N}} color f ( H ) ∈ Col ( H ) N is not the same between different finitary bases. We define an action of GL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{GL}_\infty(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) on the product space Col ( H ) N \operatorname{Col}(H)^{\mathbb{N}} Col ( H ) N . This action will have the property that if f = A − 1 e f=A^{-1}e f = A − 1 e for some matrix A ∈ GL ∞ ( F q ) A\in\operatorname{GL}_\infty(\mathbb{F}_q) A ∈ GL ∞ ( F q ) then color f ( H ) = A ⋅ color e ( H ) \operatorname{color}_f(H)=A\cdot\operatorname{color}_e(H) color f ( H ) = A ⋅ color e ( H ) .
Definition 6.14 (Action on color vectors). Let H H H be a μ \mu μ -generic subgroup. We define an action Θ H \Theta_H Θ H of the group GL n ( F q ) \operatorname{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) GL n ( F q ) on the product space Col ( H ) n \operatorname{Col}(H)^n Col ( H ) n as follows. Let A ∈ GL n ( F q ) A\in\operatorname{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) A ∈ GL n ( F q ) be a matrix and γ ∈ Col ( H ) n \gamma\in\operatorname{Col}(H)^n γ ∈ Col ( H ) n be a color tuple. There exists a subset I ⊂ N I\subset\mathbb{N} I ⊂ N with ∣ I ∣ = n |I|=n ∣ I ∣ = n such that γ = color e ( H ) I \gamma=\operatorname{color}_e(H)_I γ = color e ( H ) I . Let f f f be the finitary basis given by f = [ A − 1 ] I e f=[A^{-1}]_I e f = [ A − 1 ] I e . We set
Θ H ( A ) γ = color f ( H ) I ∈ Col ( H ) n . \Theta_H(A)\gamma=\operatorname{color}_f(H)_I\in\operatorname{Col}(H)^n. Θ H ( A ) γ = color f ( H ) I ∈ Col ( H ) n .
When the context is clear, we shall suppress the notation Θ H \Theta_H Θ H and write simply A ⋅ γ A\cdot\gamma A ⋅ γ for Θ H ( A ) γ \Theta_H(A)\gamma Θ H ( A ) γ .
The basic properties of the action Θ H \Theta_H Θ H are established in the following result.
Proposition 6.15. Let H H H be a μ \mu μ -generic subgroup. The actions Θ H \Theta_H Θ H on the groups GL n ( F q ) \operatorname{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) GL n ( F q ) on the product spaces Col ( H ) n \operatorname{Col}(H)^n Col ( H ) n for each n ∈ N n\in\mathbb{N} n ∈ N have the following properties:
(1) Θ H \Theta_H Θ H is well-defined, i.e. its definition does not depend on the choice of subset I I I .
(2) Θ H \Theta_H Θ H gives rise to a group action GL n ( F q ) ↷ Col ( H ) n \operatorname{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q)\curvearrowright\operatorname{Col}(H)^n GL n ( F q ) ↷ Col ( H ) n .
(3) Fix n 1 , n 2 ∈ N n_1,n_2 \in\mathbb{N} n 1 , n 2 ∈ N . Suppose γ 1 ∈ Col ( H ) n 1 \gamma_1 \in\operatorname{Col}(H)^{n_1} γ 1 ∈ Col ( H ) n 1 and γ 2 ∈ Col ( H ) n 2 \gamma_2 \in\operatorname{Col}(H)^{n_2} γ 2 ∈ Col ( H ) n 2 . Let A 1 ∈ GL n 1 ( F q ) A_1 \in\operatorname{GL}_{n_1}(\mathbb{F}_q) A 1 ∈ GL n 1 ( F q ) and A 2 ∈ GL n 2 ( F q ) A_2 \in\operatorname{GL}_{n_2}(\mathbb{F}_q) A 2 ∈ GL n 2 ( F q ) . Then
Θ H ( A 1 0 0 A 2 ) ( γ 1 , γ 2 ) = ( A 1 γ 1 , A 2 γ 2 ) . \Theta_H \begin{pmatrix} A_1 & 0 \\ 0 & A_2 \end{pmatrix}(\gamma_1,\gamma_2)=(A_1\gamma_1,A_2\gamma_2). Θ H ( A 1 0 0 A 2 ) ( γ 1 , γ 2 ) = ( A 1 γ 1 , A 2 γ 2 ) .
The proof of Theorem 6.15 will require the following Theorem 6.16, which is the basic tool to show that two color vectors are equal. It uses the notion of extension by permutations and of the subgroup H ∗ ≤ GL ∞ ( F q ) H^* \leq\operatorname{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) H ∗ ≤ GL ∞ ( F q ) associated to any given subgroup H ≤ GL ∞ ( F q ) H \leq\operatorname{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) H ≤ GL ∞ ( F q ) as in § 2.3 . In most situations where Theorem 6.16 is invoked, we will only need conditions (1) and (2). The more complicated condition (3) will be seldom used.
Lemma 6.16. Let H H H be a μ \mu μ -generic subgroup. Let f f f be the finitary basis given by f = A ⋅ e f=A\cdot e f = A ⋅ e for some matrix A ∈ GL ∞ ( F q ) A\in\operatorname{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) A ∈ GL ∞ ( F q ) . Let I , J ⊆ N I,J\subseteq\mathbb{N} I , J ⊆ N be two index sets with ∣ I ∣ = ∣ J ∣ = n |I|=|J|=n ∣ I ∣ = ∣ J ∣ = n and with max I < min J \max I<\min J max I < min J . Consider the matrix
Ω = ( 0 I n I n 0 ) ∈ SL 2 n ( F q ) . \Omega=\begin{pmatrix}0&I_n\\I_n&0\end{pmatrix}\in\operatorname{SL}_{2n}(\mathbb{F}_q). Ω = ( 0 I n I n 0 ) ∈ SL 2 n ( F q ) . The following three conditions are equivalent:
color f ( H ) I = color f ( H ) J \operatorname{color}_f(H)_I=\operatorname{color}_f(H)_J color f ( H ) I = color f ( H ) J .
A [ Ω ] I ∪ J A − 1 ∈ H ∗ A[\Omega]_{I\cup J}A^{-1}\in H^* A [ Ω ] I ∪ J A − 1 ∈ H ∗ .
Let ω ∈ GL 2 ( F q ) \omega\in\operatorname{GL}_2(\mathbb{F}_q) ω ∈ GL 2 ( F q ) be the matrix ( 1 0 0 1 ) \begin{pmatrix}1&0\\0&1\end{pmatrix} ( 1 0 0 1 ) in case n n n is even, and ( 0 1 1 0 ) \begin{pmatrix}0&1\\1&0\end{pmatrix} ( 0 1 1 0 ) in case n n n is odd. For every index m > max J m>\max J m > max J with A ∈ GL m ( F q ) A\in\operatorname{GL}_m(\mathbb{F}_q) A ∈ GL m ( F q ) and every pair of indices m < i < j m<i<j m < i < j with color f ( H ) i = color f ( H ) j \operatorname{color}_f(H)_i=\operatorname{color}_f(H)_j color f ( H ) i = color f ( H ) j we have
A [ ( Ω 0 0 ω ) ] I ∪ J ∪ { i , j } A − 1 ∈ H . A\left[\begin{pmatrix}\Omega&0\\0&\omega\end{pmatrix}\right]_{I\cup J\cup\{i,j\}}A^{-1}\in H. A [ ( Ω 0 0 ω ) ] I ∪ J ∪ { i , j } A − 1 ∈ H .
Proof. Condition (2) implies condition (1) by the definition of the subgroup H ∗ H^* H ∗ and by Theorem 6.2.
Assume condition (1). Let m > max J m>\max J m > max J and m < i < j m<i<j m < i < j be indices as in condition (3). The matrix appearing in condition (3) is a permutation matrix in the basis f f f with determinant equal to 1, that is a matrix in A ∞ ( f ) A_{\infty}(f) A ∞ ( f ) . It is a product of transpositions matching elements of I I I and of J J J , together with the transposition ( i , j ) (i,j) ( i , j ) in case n n n is odd. These pair have the same color by assumption (1) and by the choice of the pair i , j i,j i , j . By Theorem 6.2, this matrix belongs to H H H , which shows condition (3).
Assume condition (3). Let m > max J m>\max J m > max J be a sufficiently large index with A ∈ GL m ( F q ) A\in\operatorname{GL}_m(\mathbb{F}_q) A ∈ GL m ( F q ) . There is some pair of indices m < i < j m<i<j m < i < j with color f ( H ) i = color f ( H ) j \operatorname{color}_f(H)_i=\operatorname{color}_f(H)_j color f ( H ) i = color f ( H ) j . As A ∈ GL m ( F q ) A\in\operatorname{GL}_m(\mathbb{F}_q) A ∈ GL m ( F q ) , the matrix appearing in (3) is an extension by permutation of A [ Ω ] I ∪ J A − 1 A[\Omega]_{I\cup J}A^{-1} A [ Ω ] I ∪ J A − 1 , regarded as a matrix in GL m ( F q ) \operatorname{GL}_m(\mathbb{F}_q) GL m ( F q ) , by the permutation matrix ω \omega ω supported on the pair { i , j } \{i,j\} { i , j } . As this extension by permutation belongs to H H H , condition (2) follows by the definition of H ∗ H^* H ∗ . □ \square □
Proof of Theorem 6.15. We start by showing item (1). Let I I I and I ′ I' I ′ be two index sets of cardinality n n n such that γ = color e ( H ) I = color e ( H ) I ′ \gamma=\operatorname{color}_e(H)_I=\operatorname{color}_e(H)_{I'} γ = color e ( H ) I = color e ( H ) I ′ . Define the two finitary bases f = [ A − 1 ] I e f=[A^{-1}]_I e f = [ A − 1 ] I e and f ′ = [ A ′ − 1 ] I ′ e f'=[A'^{-1}]_{I'}e f ′ = [ A ′ − 1 ] I ′ e . We wish to show that color f ( H ) I = color f ′ ( H ) I ′ \operatorname{color}_f(H)_I=\operatorname{color}_{f'}(H)_{I'} color f ( H ) I = color f ′ ( H ) I ′ . Since by assumption γ = color e ( H ) I ′ ′ \gamma=\operatorname{color}_e(H)_{I''} γ = color e ( H ) I ′′ for infinitely many sets of indices I ′ ′ I'' I ′′ with the index min I ′ ′ \min I'' min I ′′ being arbitrarily large, we may assume without loss of generality that I ∩ I ′ = ∅ I\cap I'=\varnothing I ∩ I ′ = ∅ and that max I < min I ′ \max I<\min I' max I < min I ′ .
Let δ = color f ( H ) I \delta=\operatorname{color}_f(H)_I δ = color f ( H ) I . Find an index set J ⊆ N J\subseteq\mathbb{N} J ⊆ N with min J > max I ′ \min J>\max I' min J > max I ′ and of cardinality n n n such that δ = color e ( H ) J \delta=\operatorname{color}_e(H)_J δ = color e ( H ) J . Notice that δ = color f ( H ) J \delta=\operatorname{color}_f(H)_J δ = color f ( H ) J by the natural identification of colors in different bases. Apply Theorem 6.16 with respect to the two equalities of pairs of color vectors
δ = color f ( H ) I = color f ( H ) J \delta=\operatorname{color}_f(H)_I=\operatorname{color}_f(H)_J δ = color f ( H ) I = color f ( H ) J
and
γ = color e ( H ) I = color e ( H ) I ′ . \gamma=\operatorname{color}_{e}(H)_I=\operatorname{color}_{e}(H)_{I'}. γ = color e ( H ) I = color e ( H ) I ′ .
The first equality gives
B 1 = [ A − 1 ] I [ Ω ] I ∪ J [ A ] I ∈ H ∗ B_1=[A^{-1}]_I[\Omega]_{I\cup J}[A]_I\in H^* B 1 = [ A − 1 ] I [ Ω ] I ∪ J [ A ] I ∈ H ∗
and the second
C = [ Ω ] I ∪ I ′ ∈ H ∗ . C=[\Omega]_{I\cup I'}\in H^*. C = [ Ω ] I ∪ I ′ ∈ H ∗ .
What we are trying to show is δ = color f ′ ( H ) I ′ \delta=\operatorname{color}_{f'}(H)_{I'} δ = color f ′ ( H ) I ′ . This amounts to demonstrating that
B 2 = [ A − 1 ] I ′ [ Ω ] I ′ ∪ J [ A ] I ′ ∈ H ∗ . B_2=[A^{-1}]_{I'}[\Omega]_{I'\cup J}[A]_{I'}\in H^*. B 2 = [ A − 1 ] I ′ [ Ω ] I ′ ∪ J [ A ] I ′ ∈ H ∗ .
One may check directly the matrix equation B 2 = B 1 C B 1 − 1 B_2=B_1CB_1^{-1} B 2 = B 1 C B 1 − 1 . It follows that B 2 ∈ H ∗ B_2\in H^* B 2 ∈ H ∗ . We conclude by the converse direction of Theorem 6.16.
We next show item (3). Let I 1 , I 2 ⊆ N I_1,I_2\subseteq\mathbb{N} I 1 , I 2 ⊆ N be a pair of finite sequences of indices with γ 1 = color e ( H ) I 1 \gamma_1=\operatorname{color}_{e}(H)_{I_1} γ 1 = color e ( H ) I 1 and γ 2 = color e ( H ) I 2 \gamma_2=\operatorname{color}_{e}(H)_{I_2} γ 2 = color e ( H ) I 2 . We may assume without loss of generality that max I 1 < min I 2 \max I_1<\min I_2 max I 1 < min I 2 . Thus
A ⋅ γ = color f ( H ) I 1 ∪ I 2 , A\cdot\gamma=\operatorname{color}_{f}(H)_{I_1\cup I_2}, A ⋅ γ = color f ( H ) I 1 ∪ I 2 ,
where A = ( A 1 0 0 A 2 ) A=\begin{pmatrix} A_1 & 0 \\ 0 & A_2 \end{pmatrix} A = ( A 1 0 0 A 2 ) , γ = ( γ 1 , γ 2 ) \gamma=(\gamma_1,\gamma_2) γ = ( γ 1 , γ 2 ) and f = [ A − 1 ] I 1 ∪ I 2 ⋅ e f=[A^{-1}]_{I_1\cup I_2}\cdot e f = [ A − 1 ] I 1 ∪ I 2 ⋅ e . We will show that
A 1 ⋅ γ 1 = color f ( H ) I 1 and A 2 ⋅ γ 2 = color f ( H ) I 2 . A_1\cdot\gamma_1=\operatorname{color}_{f}(H)_{I_1}
\qquad\text{and}\qquad
A_2\cdot\gamma_2=\operatorname{color}_{f}(H)_{I_2}. A 1 ⋅ γ 1 = color f ( H ) I 1 and A 2 ⋅ γ 2 = color f ( H ) I 2 .
Let δ 1 = A 1 ⋅ γ 1 \delta_1=A_1\cdot\gamma_1 δ 1 = A 1 ⋅ γ 1 . By definition δ 1 = color f 1 ( H ) I 1 \delta_1=\operatorname{color}_{f_1}(H)_{I_1} δ 1 = color f 1 ( H ) I 1 , where f 1 = [ A 1 − 1 ] I 1 e f_1=[A_1^{-1}]_{I_1}e f 1 = [ A 1 − 1 ] I 1 e . Choose a set of indices J ⊆ N J\subseteq\mathbb{N} J ⊆ N with min J > max I 2 \min J>\max I_2 min J > max I 2 such that δ 1 = color e ( H ) J \delta_1=\operatorname{color}_{e}(H)_J δ 1 = color e ( H ) J . Then also δ 1 = color f 1 ( H ) J = color f ( H ) J \delta_1=\operatorname{color}_{f_1}(H)_J=\operatorname{color}_{f}(H)_J δ 1 = color f 1 ( H ) J = color f ( H ) J . We may now invoke Theorem 6.16 with respect to the equality
color f 1 ( H ) I 1 = color f 1 ( H ) J . \operatorname{color}_{f_1}(H)_{I_1}=\operatorname{color}_{f_1}(H)_J. color f 1 ( H ) I 1 = color f 1 ( H ) J .
This gives
[ A 1 − 1 ] I 1 [ Ω ] I 1 ∪ J [ A 1 ] I 1 ∈ H ∗ . [A_1^{-1}]_{I_1}[\Omega]_{I_1\cup J}[A_1]_{I_1}\in H^*. [ A 1 − 1 ] I 1 [ Ω ] I 1 ∪ J [ A 1 ] I 1 ∈ H ∗ .
The above matrix also equals
[ A − 1 ] I 1 ∪ I 2 [ Ω ] I 1 ∪ J [ A ] I 1 ∪ I 2 . [A^{-1}]_{I_1\cup I_2}[\Omega]_{I_1\cup J}[A]_{I_1\cup I_2}. [ A − 1 ] I 1 ∪ I 2 [ Ω ] I 1 ∪ J [ A ] I 1 ∪ I 2 .
Hence
color f ( H ) I 1 = color f ( H ) J = δ 1 , \operatorname{color}_{f}(H)_{I_1}=\operatorname{color}_{f}(H)_J=\delta_1, color f ( H ) I 1 = color f ( H ) J = δ 1 ,
as required. The proof for the counterpart action A 2 ⋅ γ 2 A_2\cdot\gamma_2 A 2 ⋅ γ 2 is exactly the same.
For item (2), the group action property, let γ ∈ Col ( H ) n \gamma\in\operatorname{Col}(H)^n γ ∈ Col ( H ) n be a color tuple and A , B ∈ GL n ( F q ) A,B\in\operatorname{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) A , B ∈ GL n ( F q ) be a pair of matrices. Define δ = B ⋅ γ \delta=B\cdot\gamma δ = B ⋅ γ . We want to show that A ⋅ δ = A B ⋅ γ A\cdot\delta=AB\cdot\gamma A ⋅ δ = A B ⋅ γ . Let I , J ⊆ N I,J\subseteq\mathbb{N} I , J ⊆ N with max I < min J \max I<\min J max I < min J be finite sequences of indices such that γ = color e ( H ) I \gamma=\operatorname{color}_{e}(H)_I γ = color e ( H ) I and δ = color e ( H ) J \delta=\operatorname{color}_{e}(H)_J δ = color e ( H ) J . Let T = ( A B 0 0 A ) T=\begin{pmatrix} AB & 0 \\ 0 & A \end{pmatrix} T = ( A B 0 0 A ) and f = [ T − 1 ] I ∪ J ⋅ e f=[T^{-1}]_{I\cup J}\cdot e f = [ T − 1 ] I ∪ J ⋅ e . By item (3), which was established above, we know that
A B ⋅ γ = color f ( H ) I , A ⋅ δ = color f ( H ) J . AB\cdot\gamma=\operatorname{color}_{f}(H)_I,
\qquad
A\cdot\delta=\operatorname{color}_{f}(H)_J. A B ⋅ γ = color f ( H ) I , A ⋅ δ = color f ( H ) J .
It suffices to show that
[ T − 1 ] I ∪ J [ Ω ] I ∪ J [ T ] I ∪ J ∈ H ∗ , [T^{-1}]_{I\cup J}[\Omega]_{I\cup J}[T]_{I\cup J}\in H^*, [ T − 1 ] I ∪ J [ Ω ] I ∪ J [ T ] I ∪ J ∈ H ∗ ,
where the matrix Ω \Omega Ω is as in Theorem 6.16. However, it can be seen that the above matrix is equal to
C = [ B − 1 ] I [ Ω ] I ∪ J [ B ] I . C=[B^{-1}]_I[\Omega]_{I\cup J}[B]_I. C = [ B − 1 ] I [ Ω ] I ∪ J [ B ] I .
We have C ∈ H ∗ C\in H^* C ∈ H ∗ by another application of the lemma and since δ = B ⋅ γ \delta=B\cdot\gamma δ = B ⋅ γ . □
GL(F q \mathbb{F}_q F q )-action on color vectors
Given a non-trivial ergodic invariant random subgroup μ ∈ IRS ( SL ∞ ( F q ) ) \mu\in\operatorname{IRS}(\operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) μ ∈ IRS ( SL ∞ ( F q )) and a μ \mu μ -generic subgroup H H H , we have defined a collection of actions Θ H : GL n ( F q ) ↷ Col ( H ) n \Theta_H : \operatorname{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) \curvearrowright\operatorname{Col}(H)^n Θ H : GL n ( F q ) ↷ Col ( H ) n for each n ∈ N n \in\mathbb{N} n ∈ N (Theorem 6.14). This collection induces a group action Θ H : GL ∞ ( F q ) ↷ Col ( H ) N \Theta_H : \operatorname{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) \curvearrowright\operatorname{Col}(H)^{\mathbb{N}} Θ H : GL ∞ ( F q ) ↷ Col ( H ) N . This action is local, in the sense of Theorem 3.1. Here are two cases where we can calculate the action.
Proposition 6.17. Let H H H be a μ \mu μ -generic subgroup. The action Θ H : GL ∞ ( F q ) ↷ Col ( H ) N \Theta_H : \operatorname{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) \curvearrowright\operatorname{Col}(H)^{\mathbb{N}} Θ H : GL ∞ ( F q ) ↷ Col ( H ) N satisfies the following two properties:
The constant vector ρ = ( red ( H ) ) n ∈ N ∈ Col ( H ) N \rho= (\operatorname{red}(H))_{n\in\mathbb{N}} \in\operatorname{Col}(H)^{\mathbb{N}} ρ = ( red ( H ) ) n ∈ N ∈ Col ( H ) N is a fixed point of the action.
The action is permutational, in the sense of Theorem 3.1.
Proof. We first show statement (1). Fix n ∈ N n \in\mathbb{N} n ∈ N . Let A ∈ GL n ( F q ) A \in\operatorname{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) A ∈ GL n ( F q ) be any matrix. Let ρ n ∈ Col ( H ) n \rho_n \in\operatorname{Col}(H)^n ρ n ∈ Col ( H ) n be the constant red vector, namely ( ρ n ) i = red ( H ) (\rho_n)_i = \operatorname{red}(H) ( ρ n ) i = red ( H ) for all i ∈ { 1 , … , n } i \in\{1,\ldots,n\} i ∈ { 1 , … , n } . Let I ⊂ N I \subset\mathbb{N} I ⊂ N be a subset of indices with ∣ I ∣ = n |I|=n ∣ I ∣ = n such that colore ( H ) I = ρ n \operatorname{colore}(H)_I=\rho_n colore ( H ) I = ρ n . To show that A ⋅ ρ n = color [ A − 1 ] I e ( H ) I A\cdot\rho_n=\operatorname{color}_{[A^{-1}]_I e}(H)_I A ⋅ ρ n = color [ A − 1 ] I e ( H ) I is equal to ρ n \rho_n ρ n , it suffices by Theorem 6.9 to show that SL I ( [ A − 1 ] I e ) ≤ H \operatorname{SL}_I([A^{-1}]_I e)\leq H SL I ([ A − 1 ] I e ) ≤ H . But this subgroup is equal to [ A − 1 ] I SL I ( e ) [ A ] I = SL I ( e ) [A^{-1}]_I\operatorname{SL}_I(e)[A]_I=\operatorname{SL}_I(e) [ A − 1 ] I SL I ( e ) [ A ] I = SL I ( e ) , which is contained in H H H by the choice of I I I .
We now show statement (2). Let σ ∈ S ∞ \sigma\in S_{\infty} σ ∈ S ∞ be a permutation and P σ ∈ GL ∞ ( F q ) P_\sigma\in\operatorname{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) P σ ∈ GL ∞ ( F q ) be the corresponding permutation matrix in the standard basis. We need to show that
( P σ ⋅ γ ) i = γ σ ( i ) ∀ γ ∈ Col ( H ) N , i ∈ N . (P_\sigma\cdot\gamma)_i=\gamma_{\sigma(i)}\qquad\forall\gamma\in\operatorname{Col}(H)^{\mathbb{N}},\ i\in\mathbb{N}. ( P σ ⋅ γ ) i = γ σ ( i ) ∀ γ ∈ Col ( H ) N , i ∈ N .
Fix some n ∈ N n\in\mathbb{N} n ∈ N such that σ ∈ S n \sigma\in S_n σ ∈ S n . Let δ = P σ ⋅ γ \delta=P_\sigma\cdot\gamma δ = P σ ⋅ γ . Let I , J ⊆ N I,J\subseteq\mathbb{N} I , J ⊆ N be two finite sequences of indices with ∣ I ∣ = ∣ J ∣ = n |I|=|J|=n ∣ I ∣ = ∣ J ∣ = n such that max I < min J \max I<\min J max I < min J and γ = colore ( H ) I \gamma=\operatorname{colore}(H)_I γ = colore ( H ) I , δ = colore ( H ) J \delta=\operatorname{colore}(H)_J δ = colore ( H ) J . It follows that δ = color f ( H ) J \delta=\operatorname{color}_f(H)_J δ = color f ( H ) J with f = [ P σ − 1 ] I ⋅ e f=[P_\sigma^{-1}]_I\cdot e f = [ P σ − 1 ] I ⋅ e . Apply Theorem 6.16 with respect to the equation color f ( H ) I = color f ( H ) J \operatorname{color}_f(H)_I=\operatorname{color}_f(H)_J color f ( H ) I = color f ( H ) J . Let Ω \Omega Ω be the matrix as in that Lemma. We get
[ ( 0 P σ − 1 P σ 0 ) ] I ∪ J = [ P σ − 1 ] I [ Ω ] I ∪ J [ P σ ] I ∈ H ∗ . \left[\begin{pmatrix}0&P_\sigma^{-1}\\P_\sigma&0\end{pmatrix}\right]_{I\cup J}=[P_\sigma^{-1}]_I[\Omega]_{I\cup J}[P_\sigma]_I\in H^*. [ ( 0 P σ P σ − 1 0 ) ] I ∪ J = [ P σ − 1 ] I [ Ω ] I ∪ J [ P σ ] I ∈ H ∗ .
This is a permutation matrix. Therefore Theorem 6.2 implies that δ k = γ σ ( k ) \delta_k=\gamma_{\sigma(k)} δ k = γ σ ( k ) , as required. □ \square □
We now wish to relate the action Θ H \Theta_H Θ H associated with a μ \mu μ -generic subgroup H H H to the action associated with its SL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) -conjugates. Let g ∈ SL ∞ ( F q ) g\in\operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) g ∈ SL ∞ ( F q ) be some element. Since the element g g g is finitary, the partitions Col ( H ) \operatorname{Col}(H) Col ( H ) and Col ( g H g − 1 ) \operatorname{Col}(gHg^{-1}) Col ( g H g − 1 ) differ only on a finite number of elements. This defines a natural identification of the colors in Col ( H ) \operatorname{Col}(H) Col ( H ) with the colors in Col ( g H g − 1 ) \operatorname{Col}(gHg^{-1}) Col ( g H g − 1 ) .
Proposition 6.18. Let g ∈ SL ∞ ( F q ) g\in\operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) g ∈ SL ∞ ( F q ) be any element. For every μ \mu μ -generic subgroup H H H we have that
Θ H ( g ) color ( H ) = color ( g H g − 1 ) . \Theta_H(g)\operatorname{color}(H)=\operatorname{color}(gHg^{-1}). Θ H ( g ) color ( H ) = color ( g H g − 1 ) .
Proof. Let n ∈ N n\in\mathbb{N} n ∈ N be such that g ∈ SL n ( F q ) g\in\operatorname{SL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) g ∈ SL n ( F q ) . Denote I = { 1 , … , n } I=\{1,\ldots,n\} I = { 1 , … , n } , γ = color ( H ) I \gamma=\operatorname{color}(H)_I γ = color ( H ) I and δ = color ( g H g − 1 ) I \delta=\operatorname{color}(gHg^{-1})_I δ = color ( g H g − 1 ) I . Choose a finite subset of indices J ⊆ N J\subseteq\mathbb{N} J ⊆ N with min J > max I \min J>\max I min J > max I and δ = color ( H ) J \delta=\operatorname{color}(H)_J δ = color ( H ) J . By the above identification of the colors in Col ( H ) \operatorname{Col}(H) Col ( H ) with the colors in Col ( g H g − 1 ) \operatorname{Col}(gHg^{-1}) Col ( g H g − 1 ) , we also get δ = color ( g H g − 1 ) J \delta=\operatorname{color}(gHg^{-1})_J δ = color ( g H g − 1 ) J . This means, using the terminology of Theorem 6.16, that
[ Ω ] I ∪ J ∈ ( g H g − 1 ) ∗ = g H ∗ g − 1 . [\Omega]_{I\cup J}\in(gHg^{-1})^*=gH^*g^{-1}. [ Ω ] I ∪ J ∈ ( g H g − 1 ) ∗ = g H ∗ g − 1 .
This is equivalent to
g − 1 [ Ω ] I ∪ J g ∈ H ∗ , g^{-1}[\Omega]_{I\cup J}g\in H^*, g − 1 [ Ω ] I ∪ J g ∈ H ∗ ,
which shows that Θ H ( g ) γ = δ . □ \Theta_H(g)\gamma=\delta.\quad\square Θ H ( g ) γ = δ . □ $
Fixed points for the G L n ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) GL n ( F q ) -actions
There is one last property of the action Θ H \Theta_H Θ H to be established in this section.
Proposition 6.19. The action Θ H \Theta_H Θ H associated to μ \mu μ -almost every generic subgroup H H H has the following property: Fix n ∈ N n \in\mathbb{N} n ∈ N and suppose A ∈ G L n ( F q ) A \in\mathrm{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) A ∈ GL n ( F q ) is such that 1 1 1 is not an eigenvalue of A A A (equivalently, rk A = n \operatorname{rk} A=n rk A = n ). Then the only fixed point of the action of A A A on Col ( H ) n \operatorname{Col}(H)^n Col ( H ) n is the constant red vector, that is, the point ρ n = ( red ( H ) ) i = 1 n \rho_n=(\operatorname{red}(H))_{i=1}^n ρ n = ( red ( H ) ) i = 1 n .
Before proceeding with the proof of the above, we note that it is not apriori clear that the event described is measurable. We start by showing something stronger.
Claim 6.20. Fix n ∈ N n \in\mathbb{N} n ∈ N . Given a matrix A ∈ G L n ( F q ) A \in\mathrm{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) A ∈ GL n ( F q ) let Φ n A : Sub ( S L ∞ ( F q ) ) → N \Phi_n^A:\operatorname{Sub}(\mathrm{SL}_\infty(\mathbb{F}_q))\to\mathbb{N} Φ n A : Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) → N be the μ \mu μ -measurable function that counts for a μ \mu μ -generic subgroup H H H the number of fixed points of A A A in its action on Col ( H ) n \operatorname{Col}(H)^n Col ( H ) n via Θ H \Theta_H Θ H . Then Φ n A \Phi_n^A Φ n A is T \mathcal{T} T -measurable, where T \mathcal{T} T is the tail color σ \sigma σ -algebra of μ \mu μ .
The tail color σ \sigma σ -algebra was introduced in Theorem 6.5. Since the vector ρ n \rho_n ρ n is always a fixed point, Theorem 6.19 refers to the measure of the event { H : Φ n A ( H ) = 1 } \{H:\Phi_n^A(H)=1\} { H : Φ n A ( H ) = 1 } , which is seen to be measurable by Claim 6.20 .
Proof of Claim 6.20. For each m ∈ N m\in\mathbb{N} m ∈ N , we shall show that Φ n A \Phi_n^A Φ n A is T m \mathcal{T}_m T m -measurable. Let I , J ⊆ N > m I,J\subseteq\mathbb{N}_{>m} I , J ⊆ N > m be two index sets with ∣ I ∣ = ∣ J ∣ = n |I|=|J|=n ∣ I ∣ = ∣ J ∣ = n and max I < min J \max I<\min J max I < min J . Given a matrix B ∈ G L n ( F q ) B\in\mathrm{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) B ∈ GL n ( F q ) consider the event
E I , J B = { H : Θ H ( B ) color e ( H ) I = color e ( H ) J } . E_{I,J}^{B}=\{H:\Theta_H(B)\operatorname{color}_{e}(H)_I=\operatorname{color}_{e}(H)_J\}. E I , J B = { H : Θ H ( B ) color e ( H ) I = color e ( H ) J } .
Making use of Theorem 6.16 and the notations therein, this event can be written as
E I , J B = { H : [ B − 1 ] I [ Ω ] I ∪ J [ B ] I ∈ H ∗ } . E_{I,J}^{B}=\{H:[B^{-1}]_I[\Omega]_{I\cup J}[B]_I\in H^*\}. E I , J B = { H : [ B − 1 ] I [ Ω ] I ∪ J [ B ] I ∈ H ∗ } .
This equation and statement (3) of Theorem 6.16 show that for any such pair I I I and J J J , the event E I , J B E_{I,J}^{B} E I , J B is T m \mathcal{T}_m T m -measurable. Substituting the identity matrix I n I_n I n for B B B , we define the event
C I , J = { H : color e ( H ) I = color e ( H ) J } = E I , J I n ∈ T m , C_{I,J}=\{H:\operatorname{color}_{e}(H)_I=\operatorname{color}_{e}(H)_J\}=E_{I,J}^{I_n}\in\mathcal{T}_m, C I , J = { H : color e ( H ) I = color e ( H ) J } = E I , J I n ∈ T m ,
as well as the event
F I A = { H : A ⋅ color e ( H ) I = color e ( H ) I } . F_I^A=\{H:A\cdot\operatorname{color}_{e}(H)_I=\operatorname{color}_{e}(H)_I\}. F I A = { H : A ⋅ color e ( H ) I = color e ( H ) I } .
The latter event F I A F_I^A F I A is also T m \mathcal{T}_m T m -measurable, since
F I A = { H : ∃ J ⊆ N > m , ∣ J ∣ = n , min J > max I , H ∈ E I , J A ∩ C I , J } ∈ T m . F_I^A=\{H:\exists J\subseteq\mathbb{N}_{>m},|J|=n,\min J>\max I,H\in E_{I,J}^{A}\cap C_{I,J}\}\in\mathcal{T}_m. F I A = { H : ∃ J ⊆ N > m , ∣ J ∣ = n , min J > max I , H ∈ E I , J A ∩ C I , J } ∈ T m .
Finally, the event { H : Φ n A ≥ k } \{H:\Phi_n^A\geq k\} { H : Φ n A ≥ k } consists of the subgroups H H H for which there are pairwise disjoint subsets of indices I 1 , … , I k ⊆ N > m I_1,\ldots,I_k\subseteq\mathbb{N}_{>m} I 1 , … , I k ⊆ N > m of cardinality n n n , with max I s < min I s + 1 \max I_s<\min I_{s+1} max I s < min I s + 1 for all 1 ≤ s < k 1\leq s<k 1 ≤ s < k , such that H ∈ F I s A H\in F_{I_s}^A H ∈ F I s A for all 1 ≤ s ≤ k 1\leq s\leq k 1 ≤ s ≤ k but H ∉ C I s , I t H\notin C_{I_s,I_t} H ∈ / C I s , I t for all $1\leq s<t\leq k. This shows that Φ n A \Phi_n^A Φ n A is measurable with respect to T m \mathcal{T}_m T m . As m ∈ N m\in\mathbb{N} m ∈ N was arbitrary, Φ n A \Phi_n^A Φ n A is also T \mathcal{T} T -measurable. □ \square □
Proof of Theorem 6.19. Fix n ∈ N n\in\mathbb{N} n ∈ N and consider a matrix A ∈ G L n ( F q ) A\in\mathrm{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) A ∈ GL n ( F q ) . Let H ∈ Sub ( S L ∞ ( F q ) ) H\in\operatorname{Sub}(\mathrm{SL}_\infty(\mathbb{F}_q)) H ∈ Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) be a fixed subgroup. By Claim 6.20 , the cardinality of the set Fix n ( A ) \operatorname{Fix}_n(A) Fix n ( A ) of fixed points of A A A in its action on Col ( H ) n \operatorname{Col}(H)^n Col ( H ) n via Θ H \Theta_H Θ H is μ \mu μ -a.s. constant. We will show the contrapositive of the desired statement, that is, if this constant cardinality is at least 2 2 2 then the matrix A A A has 1 1 1 as an eigenvalue.
Suppose γ ∈ Col ( H ) n \gamma\in\operatorname{Col}(H)^n γ ∈ Col ( H ) n is a fixed point of A A A . If γ = color e ( H ) { 1 , … , n } = color e ( H ) { n + 1 , … , 2 n } \gamma=\operatorname{color}_{e}(H)_{\{1,\ldots,n\}}=\operatorname{color}_{e}(H)_{\{n+1,\ldots,2n\}} γ = color e ( H ) { 1 , … , n } = color e ( H ) { n + 1 , … , 2 n } then Theorem 6.16 implies in particular that
[ Ω ] { 1 , … , 2 n } ∈ H ∗ and [ A − 1 ] { 1 , … , n } [ Ω ] { 1 , … , 2 n } [ A ] { 1 , … , n } ∈ H ∗ . [\Omega]_{\{1,\ldots,2n\}}\in H^*\quad\text{and}\quad[A^{-1}]_{\{1,\ldots,n\}}[\Omega]_{\{1,\ldots,2n\}}[A]_{\{1,\ldots,n\}}\in H^*. [ Ω ] { 1 , … , 2 n } ∈ H ∗ and [ A − 1 ] { 1 , … , n } [ Ω ] { 1 , … , 2 n } [ A ] { 1 , … , n } ∈ H ∗ .
Denote by B B B the product of these two matrices, so that
B = [ ( A − 1 0 0 A ) ] { 1 , … , 2 n } . B=\left[\begin{pmatrix} A^{-1} & 0 \\ 0 & A \end{pmatrix}\right]_{\{1,\ldots,2n\}}. B = [ ( A − 1 0 0 A ) ] { 1 , … , 2 n } .
We have B ∈ H B\in H B ∈ H (rather than just B ∈ H ∗ B\in H^* B ∈ H ∗ ). Indeed, apply statement (3) of Theorem 6.16 twice with the same pair of indices of the same color 2 n < i < j 2n<i<j 2 n < i < j . The two resulting matrices in H H H have the same block ω \omega ω in the { i , j } \{i,j\} { i , j } position. This block cancels when taking their product, since ω 2 = I 2 \omega^2=I_2 ω 2 = I 2 .
The probability that B ∈ H B\in H B ∈ H is q − r ⋅ rk ~ B = q − 2 r ⋅ rk ~ A q^{-r\cdot\widetilde{\operatorname{rk}}B}=q^{-2r\cdot\widetilde{\operatorname{rk}}A} q − r ⋅ rk B = q − 2 r ⋅ rk A , where r = r ( μ ) r=r(\mu) r = r ( μ ) is the degree of μ \mu μ . On the other hand, this probability is bounded from below by the probability that δ = colore ( H ) { 1 , … , n } = colore ( H ) { n + 1 , … , 2 n } \delta=\operatorname{colore}(H)_{\{1,\ldots,n\}}=\operatorname{colore}(H)_{\{n+1,\ldots,2n\}} δ = colore ( H ) { 1 , … , n } = colore ( H ) { n + 1 , … , 2 n } for some vector δ ∈ Fix n ( A ) \delta\in\operatorname{Fix}_n(A) δ ∈ Fix n ( A ) . Intuitively speaking, we expect the latter probability to be ∣ Fix n ( A ) ∣ q − 2 r n |\operatorname{Fix}_n(A)|q^{-2rn} ∣ Fix n ( A ) ∣ q − 2 r n . Knowing this would imply the desired contrapositive statement. To compute the probability in question in a precise manner, we follow a similar route to the proof of the uniqueness of the red color in § 6.3 .
We convert the coloring partition Col ( H ) \operatorname{Col}(H) Col ( H ) into another partition. Denote
N [ n ] = { ( n ( m − 1 ) + 1 , … , n m ) : m ∈ N } . \mathbb{N}^{[n]}=\{(n(m-1)+1,\ldots,nm):m\in\mathbb{N}\}. N [ n ] = {( n ( m − 1 ) + 1 , … , nm ) : m ∈ N } .
We define an equivalence relation L ( H ) L(H) L ( H ) on N [ n ] \mathbb{N}^{[n]} N [ n ] by setting ( b 1 , b 2 ) ∈ L ( H ) (b_1,b_2)\in L(H) ( b 1 , b 2 ) ∈ L ( H ) if and only if
colore ( H ) b 1 = colore ( H ) b 2 . \operatorname{colore}(H)_{b_1}=\operatorname{colore}(H)_{b_2}. colore ( H ) b 1 = colore ( H ) b 2 .
Each tuple of colors γ ∈ Col ( H ) n \gamma\in\operatorname{Col}(H)^n γ ∈ Col ( H ) n determines a corresponding equivalence class of L ( H ) L(H) L ( H ) , which we denote by c γ c_\gamma c γ . From the relation L ( H ) L(H) L ( H ) we form a pointed partition of N [ n ] \mathbb{N}^{[n]} N [ n ] , to be denoted P A ( H ) P^A(H) P A ( H ) (recall this notion from § 4.7 ). The blocks of P A ( H ) P^A(H) P A ( H ) are
P A ( H ) = { c γ : γ ∈ Fix n ( A ) } ∪ { N [ n ] ∖ ⋃ γ ∈ Fix n ( A ) c γ } , P^A(H)=\left\{c_\gamma:\gamma\in\operatorname{Fix}_n(A)\right\}\cup\left\{\mathbb{N}^{[n]}\setminus\bigcup_{\gamma\in\operatorname{Fix}_n(A)}c_\gamma\right\}, P A ( H ) = { c γ : γ ∈ Fix n ( A ) } ∪ ⎩ ⎨ ⎧ N [ n ] ∖ γ ∈ Fix n ( A ) ⋃ c γ ⎭ ⎬ ⎫ ,
with the distinguished block being N [ n ] ∖ ⋃ γ ∈ Fix n ( A ) c γ \mathbb{N}^{[n]}\setminus\bigcup_{\gamma\in\operatorname{Fix}_n(A)}c_\gamma N [ n ] ∖ ⋃ γ ∈ Fix n ( A ) c γ . The group A ∞ ( N [ n ] ) A_\infty(\mathbb{N}^{[n]}) A ∞ ( N [ n ] ) of all finitary even permutations of the set N [ n ] \mathbb{N}^{[n]} N [ n ] naturally embeds in the group SL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{SL}_\infty(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) as permutation matrices which permute blocks of size n n n in the standard basis. The map P A : Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q ) ) → E ∗ ( N [ n ] ) P^A:\operatorname{Sub}(\operatorname{SL}_\infty(\mathbb{F}_q))\to E^*(\mathbb{N}^{[n]}) P A : Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) → E ∗ ( N [ n ] ) is μ \mu μ -measurable and A ∞ ( N [ n ] ) A_\infty(\mathbb{N}^{[n]}) A ∞ ( N [ n ] ) -equivariant, where E ∗ ( N [ n ] ) E^*(\mathbb{N}^{[n]}) E ∗ ( N [ n ] ) is the set of all pointed partitions on N [ n ] \mathbb{N}^{[n]} N [ n ] .
Set λ = P ∗ A μ \lambda=P^A_*\mu λ = P ∗ A μ . The probability measure λ \lambda λ is A ∞ ( N [ n ] ) A_\infty(\mathbb{N}^{[n]}) A ∞ ( N [ n ] ) -invariant. Recall that α r ∈ D \alpha^r\in\mathcal{D} α r ∈ D denotes the uniform distribution on q r q^r q r points. Since ( R e ) ∗ μ = λ α r (R_e)_*\mu=\lambda\alpha^r ( R e ) ∗ μ = λ α r and as was observed in the proof of Theorem 6.9 by the strong law of large numbers, μ \mu μ -a.s. every tuple γ ∈ Col ( H ) n \gamma\in\operatorname{Col}(H)^n γ ∈ Col ( H ) n occurs as the color of a block with asymptotic density exactly q − r n q^{-rn} q − r n . Note that N = ∣ Fix n ( A ) ∣ N=|\operatorname{Fix}_n(A)| N = ∣ Fix n ( A ) ∣ is μ \mu μ -a.s. constant by Claim 6.20 . We group the N N N -many color tuples in Fix n ( A ) \operatorname{Fix}_n(A) Fix n ( A ) into non-distinguished blocks and the rest of the color tuples in Fix n ( A ) \operatorname{Fix}_n(A) Fix n ( A ) into the distinguished block. This results in asymptotic density q − r n q^{-rn} q − r n for each non-distinguished block, and asymptotic density 1 − N q − r n 1-Nq^{-rn} 1 − N q − r n for the distinguished one. Thus the asymptotic density vector D ( P A ( H ) ) D(P^A(H)) D ( P A ( H )) is μ \mu μ -a.s. equal to the deterministic vector α = ( α m ) m ∈ Z ≥ − 1 \alpha=(\alpha_m)_{m\in\mathbb{Z}_{\geq-1}} α = ( α m ) m ∈ Z ≥ − 1 given by
α m = { q − r n , 1 ≤ m ≤ ∣ Fix n ( A ) ∣ , 1 − ∣ Fix n ( A ) ∣ q − r n , m = − 1 , 0 , otherwise . \alpha_m=
\begin{cases}
q^{-rn}, & 1\leq m\leq|\operatorname{Fix}_n(A)|,\\
1-|\operatorname{Fix}_n(A)|q^{-rn}, & m=-1,\\
0, & \text{otherwise}.
\end{cases} α m = ⎩ ⎨ ⎧ q − r n , 1 − ∣ Fix n ( A ) ∣ q − r n , 0 , 1 ≤ m ≤ ∣ Fix n ( A ) ∣ , m = − 1 , otherwise .
By Theorem 4.11 we deduce that λ = λ α ∗ \lambda=\lambda_{\alpha}^{*} λ = λ α ∗ and that λ \lambda λ is ergodic. To conclude, we make use of the fact that P ∗ A μ = λ α ∗ P_{*}^{A}\mu=\lambda_{\alpha}^{*} P ∗ A μ = λ α ∗ and compute
q − r ⋅ rk ~ B = μ ( { H : B ∈ H } ) ≥ μ ( { H : color e ( H ) { 1 , … , n } = color e ( H ) { n + 1 , … , 2 n } = δ for some δ ∈ Fix n ( A ) } ) = λ α ∗ ( { H : ( 1 , … , n ) , ( n + 1 , … , 2 n ) ∈ N [ n ] are in the same non-distinguished block of P A ( H ) } ) = ∣ Fix n ( A ) ∣ ⋅ q − 2 r n . \begin{aligned}
q^{-r\cdot\widetilde{\operatorname{rk}}B}=\mu(\{H:B\in H\})\geq\mu\left(\left\{H:\begin{array}{c}\operatorname{color}_{e}(H)_{\{1,\ldots,n\}}=\operatorname{color}_{e}(H)_{\{n+1,\ldots,2n\}}=\delta\\ \text{for some }\delta\in\operatorname{Fix}_{n}(A)\end{array}\right\}\right) \\
&=\lambda_{\alpha}^{*}\left(\left\{H:\begin{array}{c}(1,\ldots,n),(n+1,\ldots,2n)\in\mathbb{N}^{[n]}\text{ are in}\\ \text{the same non-distinguished block of }P^{A}(H)\end{array}\right\}\right)=|\operatorname{Fix}_{n}(A)|\cdot q^{-2rn}.
\end{aligned} q − r ⋅ rk B = μ ({ H : B ∈ H }) ≥ μ ( { H : color e ( H ) { 1 , … , n } = color e ( H ) { n + 1 , … , 2 n } = δ for some δ ∈ Fix n ( A ) } ) = λ α ∗ ( { H : ( 1 , … , n ) , ( n + 1 , … , 2 n ) ∈ N [ n ] are in the same non-distinguished block of P A ( H ) } ) = ∣ Fix n ( A ) ∣ ⋅ q − 2 r n .
Since rk ~ B = 2 rk ~ A \widetilde{\operatorname{rk}}B=2\widetilde{\operatorname{rk}}A rk B = 2 rk A we get from this inequality that ∣ Fix n ( A ) ∣ ≤ q 2 r ( n − rk ~ A ) |\operatorname{Fix}_{n}(A)|\leq q^{2r(n-\widetilde{\operatorname{rk}}A)} ∣ Fix n ( A ) ∣ ≤ q 2 r ( n − rk A ) . Hence, the assumption ∣ Fix n ( A ) ∣ > 1 |\operatorname{Fix}_{n}(A)|>1 ∣ Fix n ( A ) ∣ > 1 implies that rk ~ A < n \widetilde{\operatorname{rk}}A<n rk A < n , so that 1 1 1 is an eigenvalue of A A A . □ \square □
Summary
Given a non-trivial ergodic invariant random subgroup μ \mu μ of SL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) SL ∞ ( F q ) , we have constructed for a μ \mu μ -generic subgroup H H H an action of the finitary group GL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) GL ∞ ( F q ) on the product set Col ( H ) N \operatorname{Col}(H)^{\mathbb{N}} Col ( H ) N of color vectors, where Col ( H ) \operatorname{Col}(H) Col ( H ) is the set of colors of the subgroup H H H in any finitary basis. The set Col ( H ) \operatorname{Col}(H) Col ( H ) is of size q r q^{r} q r where r = r ( μ ) r=r(\mu) r = r ( μ ) is the degree of the invariant random subgroup μ \mu μ . This action of GL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) GL ∞ ( F q ) is local, permutational and enjoys the properties established in Propositions 6.17 and 6.19. These are precisely the necessary assumptions for our abstract Theorem 3.2 giving a classification of GL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) GL ∞ ( F q ) -actions. This will be the point of departure in our proof of Theorem 1.1 in § 8 .
Invariant measures on compact abelian groups
Fix a pair k , ℓ ∈ N 0 k,\ell\in\mathbb{N}_{0} k , ℓ ∈ N 0 . Recall from § 2 that V k , ℓ V^{k,\ell} V k , ℓ denotes the product space V k × V ^ ℓ V^{k}\times\widehat{V}^{\ell} V k × V ℓ with the product of the standard and the dual actions of GL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) GL ∞ ( F q ) . Let X k , ℓ ⊆ V k , ℓ X^{k,\ell}\subseteq V^{k,\ell} X k , ℓ ⊆ V k , ℓ be the subset of all tuples ( v 1 , … , v k ) , ( φ 1 , … , φ ℓ ) ∈ V k × V ^ ℓ (v^{1},\ldots,v^{k}),(\varphi^{1},\ldots,\varphi^{\ell})\in V^{k}\times\widehat{V}^{\ell} ( v 1 , … , v k ) , ( φ 1 , … , φ ℓ ) ∈ V k × V ℓ such that the collection { v 1 , … , v k } \{v^{1},\ldots,v^{k}\} { v 1 , … , v k } is linearly independent in V V V and the collection { φ 1 , … , φ ℓ } \{\varphi^{1},\ldots,\varphi^{\ell}\} { φ 1 , … , φ ℓ } is linearly independent in V ^ \widehat{V} V . Note that X k , ℓ X^{k,\ell} X k , ℓ is GL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) GL ∞ ( F q ) -invariant and co-null in V k , ℓ V^{k,\ell} V k , ℓ . By a slight abuse of notation, we let Haar k , ℓ \operatorname{Haar}^{k,\ell} Haar k , ℓ be the restriction of the GL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) GL ∞ ( F q ) -invariant Haar measure of V k , ℓ V^{k,\ell} V k , ℓ to X k , ℓ X^{k,\ell} X k , ℓ .
Recall that a Borel action of a group G G G on a Borel space is called uniquely ergodic if it admits exactly one G G G -invariant probability Borel measure. In this section, we prove Theorem 1.3 which essentially states that SL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) SL ∞ ( F q ) acts uniquely ergodically on X k , ℓ X^{k,\ell} X k , ℓ , with the unique invariant measure being Haar k , ℓ \operatorname{Haar}^{k,\ell} Haar k , ℓ . Additionally, we classify all the SL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) SL ∞ ( F q ) -invariant measures on V k , ℓ V^{k,\ell} V k , ℓ and on the infinite Grassmannian over F q \mathbb{F}_{q} F q (see § 7.5 ).
Ergodic theory and dynamics
We employ the pointwise ergodic theorem for amenable groups. The most general case was established by Lindenstrauss in [21 ] . However, our specific setting involves the locally finite group G = SL ∞ ( F q ) G=\operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) G = SL ∞ ( F q ) , which can be expressed as the increasing union G = ⋃ n = 1 ∞ G n G=\bigcup_{n=1}^{\infty}G_{n} G = ⋃ n = 1 ∞ G n of the finite groups G n = SL n ( F q ) G_{n}=\operatorname{SL}_{n}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) G n = SL n ( F q ) . In this setting, the required result was established considerably earlier by Vershik [34 ] . The version of the theorem that we will use states the following.
Theorem 7.1. Let G G G be a locally finite countable group, written as an increasing union of finite subgroups G = ⋃ n = 1 ∞ G n G=\bigcup_{n=1}^{\infty}G_{n} G = ⋃ n = 1 ∞ G n . Suppose G G G acts ergodically on a Borel probability space ( X , μ ) (X,\mu) ( X , μ ) . Let E ⊆ X E\subseteq X E ⊆ X be a measurable subset. Then μ \mu μ -a.e. point x ∈ X x\in X x ∈ X satisfies
μ ( E ) = lim n → ∞ 1 ∣ G n ∣ ∣ { g ∈ G n : g ⋅ x ∈ E } ∣ . \mu(E)=\lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{1}{|G_{n}|}|\{g\in G_{n}:g\cdot x\in E\}|. μ ( E ) = n → ∞ lim ∣ G n ∣ 1 ∣ { g ∈ G n : g ⋅ x ∈ E } ∣.
We use this theorem to reduce the question of classifying invariant measures to that of counting matrices with specific properties. In § 7.2 , we use the ergodic theorem to show that SL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) SL ∞ ( F q ) acts uniquely ergodically on both X k , 0 X^{k,0} X k , 0 and X 0 , ℓ X^{0,\ell} X 0 , ℓ . In § 7.1 we reduce the problem of showing that SL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) SL ∞ ( F q ) acts uniquely ergodically on X k , ℓ = X k , 0 × X 0 , ℓ X^{k,\ell}=X^{k,0}\times X^{0,\ell} X k , ℓ = X k , 0 × X 0 , ℓ to the problem of showing that for Haar 0 , ℓ \operatorname{Haar}^{0,\ell} Haar 0 , ℓ -a.e. element φ ∈ X 0 , ℓ \varphi\in X^{0,\ell} φ ∈ X 0 , ℓ the stabilizer Stab SL ∞ ( F q ) ( φ ) \operatorname{Stab}_{\operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q})}(\varphi) Stab SL ∞ ( F q ) ( φ ) acts uniquely ergodically on X k , 0 X^{k,0} X k , 0 . The proof of the latter fact can be found in Section 7.4. where we invoke the ergodic theorem for a second time. Lastly, in § 7.5 , we classify the ergodic measures on V k , ℓ V^{k,\ell} V k , ℓ and on the Grassmannian space Gr k ( V ) × Gr ℓ ( V ^ ) \operatorname{Gr}_k(V) \times\operatorname{Gr}_{\ell}(\widehat{V}) Gr k ( V ) × Gr ℓ ( V ) , to be defined precisely there.
Joins of measured systems
We briefly recall some notions in the ergodic theory of dynamical systems. A reference for these definitions is [12 Chapter 6] .
Let G G G be a countable group which acts on two Borel probability spaces ( X , μ ) (X,\mu) ( X , μ ) and ( Y , ν ) (Y,\nu) ( Y , ν ) by measure-preserving transformations. A joining of ( X , μ ) (X,\mu) ( X , μ ) and ( Y , ν ) (Y,\nu) ( Y , ν ) is a G G G -invariant measure λ \lambda λ on X × Y X \times Y X × Y that has μ \mu μ and ν \nu ν as its marginals; that is, proj X ( λ ) = μ \operatorname{proj}_X(\lambda) = \mu proj X ( λ ) = μ and proj Y ( λ ) = ν \operatorname{proj}_Y(\lambda) = \nu proj Y ( λ ) = ν . The two systems ( X , μ ) (X,\mu) ( X , μ ) and ( Y , ν ) (Y,\nu) ( Y , ν ) are called disjoint if the only joining of the two systems is the product measure μ × ν \mu\times\nu μ × ν .
Lemma 7.2. Let G G G be a countable group which acts on two Borel probability spaces ( X , μ ) (X,\mu) ( X , μ ) and ( Y , ν ) (Y,\nu) ( Y , ν ) by measure-preserving transformations. Suppose that for μ \mu μ -a.e. point x ∈ X x \in X x ∈ X , the stabilizer Stab G ( x ) \operatorname{Stab}_G(x) Stab G ( x ) is uniquely ergodic in its action on Y Y Y . Then ( X , μ ) (X,\mu) ( X , μ ) and ( Y , ν ) (Y,\nu) ( Y , ν ) are disjoint.
Proof. Let λ \lambda λ be a joining of ( X , μ ) (X,\mu) ( X , μ ) and ( Y , ν ) (Y,\nu) ( Y , ν ) . Write G x = Stab G ( x ) G_x = \operatorname{Stab}_G(x) G x = Stab G ( x ) for all x ∈ X x \in X x ∈ X . Disintegrate the measure λ \lambda λ with respect to the projection map proj X \operatorname{proj}_X proj X . This gives a measurable family of probability measures { λ x } x ∈ X \{\lambda_x\}_{x\in X} { λ x } x ∈ X on Y Y Y such that
λ = ∫ X ( δ x × λ x ) d μ ( x ) . \lambda= \int_X (\delta_x \times\lambda_x)\,d\mu(x). λ = ∫ X ( δ x × λ x ) d μ ( x ) .
We claim that μ \mu μ -a.e. measure λ x \lambda_x λ x is G x G_x G x -invariant. Indeed, for any g ∈ G g \in G g ∈ G we have
λ = g ∗ λ = ∫ X ( δ g x × g ∗ λ x ) d μ ( x ) . \lambda= g_*\lambda= \int_X (\delta_{gx} \times g_*\lambda_x)\,d\mu(x). λ = g ∗ λ = ∫ X ( δ g x × g ∗ λ x ) d μ ( x ) .
By the uniqueness of the disintegration, we have g ∗ λ x = λ g x g_*\lambda_x = \lambda_{gx} g ∗ λ x = λ g x for μ \mu μ -a.e. x ∈ X x \in X x ∈ X . As G G G is countable, μ \mu μ -a.e. point x ∈ X x \in X x ∈ X satisfies for all g ∈ G g \in G g ∈ G that g ∗ λ x = λ g x g_*\lambda_x = \lambda_{gx} g ∗ λ x = λ g x . For all such points x ∈ X x \in X x ∈ X we conclude that the measure λ x \lambda_x λ x is G x G_x G x -invariant, as claimed. Since G x ↷ Y G_x \curvearrowright Y G x ↷ Y is μ \mu μ -a.s. uniquely ergodic and ν \nu ν is G x G_x G x -invariant (as it is G G G -invariant), the unique G x G_x G x -invariant measure on Y Y Y must be ν \nu ν . Thus λ x = ν \lambda_x = \nu λ x = ν holds μ \mu μ -a.s. So λ = μ × ν \lambda= \mu\times\nu λ = μ × ν , as required. □ \square □
Invariant measures on X k , 0 X^{k,0} X k , 0
Fix k ∈ N k \in\mathbb{N} k ∈ N (the index ℓ \ell ℓ will not used in this subsection). We show that the actions SL ∞ ( F q ) ↷ X k , 0 \operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) \curvearrowright X^{k,0} SL ∞ ( F q ) ↷ X k , 0 and SL ∞ ( F q ) ↷ X 0 , k \operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) \curvearrowright X^{0,k} SL ∞ ( F q ) ↷ X 0 , k are uniquely ergodic, with the unique invariant measure being the restriction of the corresponding Haar measure from V k V^k V k and V ^ k \widehat{V}^k V k . Note that these two actions are related by the automorphism g ↦ ( g − 1 ) t g \mapsto(g^{-1})^t g ↦ ( g − 1 ) t of the group SL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) , so it suffices to deal only with X k , 0 X^{k,0} X k , 0 .
Given m ∈ N m \in\mathbb{N} m ∈ N and a sequence of vectors a 1 , … , a k ∈ V m a^1,\ldots,a^k \in V_m a 1 , … , a k ∈ V m , we define the set
[ a 1 , … , a k ] = { v ∈ X k , 0 : v ≤ m i = a i ∀ 1 ≤ i ≤ k } . [a^1,\ldots,a^k] = \{v \in X^{k,0}: v_{\leq m}^i = a^i \ \forall1 \leq i \leq k\}. [ a 1 , … , a k ] = { v ∈ X k , 0 : v ≤ m i = a i ∀1 ≤ i ≤ k } .
We refer to a set of this form as a box and to the integer m m m as its length. The collection of all boxes is a π \pi π -system which generates the Borel σ \sigma σ -algebra on X k , 0 X^{k,0} X k , 0 .
A straightforward application of the pointwise ergodic theorem (Theorem 7.1 ) allows us to classify the ergodic invariant measures on X k , 0 X^{k,0} X k , 0 .
Proposition 7.3. The only SL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) -invariant measure on X k , 0 X^{k,0} X k , 0 and on X 0 , ℓ X^{0,\ell} X 0 , ℓ is the Haar measure.
Remark 7.4. In the next sections, we will show the stronger statement that an action of some specific subgroup of SL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) on X k , 0 X^{k,0} X k , 0 is uniquely ergodic (see Theorem 7.9). This gives Theorem 7.3 as an immediate corollary. However, we choose to prove Theorem 7.3 directly to demonstrate a simple use of the ergodic theorem.
Proof of Theorem 7.3. Let μ \mu μ be an SL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) -invariant measure on X k , 0 X^{k,0} X k , 0 . Making use of the ergodic decomposition, we may assume without loss of generality that μ \mu μ is ergodic. Let E = [ a 1 , … , a k ] E=[a^1,\ldots,a^k] E = [ a 1 , … , a k ] be some box of length m m m where a i ∈ V m a^i\in V_m a i ∈ V m . Let v = ( v 1 , … , v k ) ∈ X k , 0 v=(v^1,\ldots,v^k)\in X^{k,0} v = ( v 1 , … , v k ) ∈ X k , 0 be any generic point such that
μ ( E ) = lim n → ∞ ∣ { g ∈ SL n ( F q ) : ( g v 1 , … , g v k ) ∈ E } ∣ ∣ SL n ( F q ) ∣ . \mu(E)=\lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{\left|\left\{g\in\operatorname{SL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q):(gv^1,\ldots,gv^k)\in E\right\}\right|}{|\operatorname{SL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q)|}. μ ( E ) = n → ∞ lim ∣ SL n ( F q ) ∣ { g ∈ SL n ( F q ) : ( g v 1 , … , g v k ) ∈ E } .
as per Theorem 7.1 . Let n > m + k n>m+k n > m + k be a large enough index such that the collection of vectors { v ≤ n 1 , … , v ≤ n k } \{v^1_{\leq n},\ldots,v^k_{\leq n}\} { v ≤ n 1 , … , v ≤ n k } is linearly independent. We want to estimate the number of elements g ∈ SL n ( F q ) g\in\operatorname{SL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) g ∈ SL n ( F q ) satisfying ( g v i ) ∈ E (gv^i)\in E ( g v i ) ∈ E , that is ( g v i ) ≤ m = a i (gv^i)_{\leq m}=a^i ( g v i ) ≤ m = a i for all 1 ≤ i ≤ k 1\leq i\leq k 1 ≤ i ≤ k . Complete v ≤ n 1 , … , v ≤ n k v^1_{\leq n},\ldots,v^k_{\leq n} v ≤ n 1 , … , v ≤ n k to a basis f = { v ≤ n 1 , … , v ≤ n k , u k + 1 , … , u n } f=\{v^1_{\leq n},\ldots,v^k_{\leq n},u^{k+1},\ldots,u^n\} f = { v ≤ n 1 , … , v ≤ n k , u k + 1 , … , u n } of V n V_n V n . Representing the transformation g g g as a matrix going from basis f f f to the standard basis, this is equivalent to counting the number of matrices g ∈ SL n ( F q ) g\in\operatorname{SL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) g ∈ SL n ( F q ) with g j i = a j i g_{ji}=a^i_j g j i = a j i for all 1 ≤ i ≤ m 1\leq i\leq m 1 ≤ i ≤ m and 1 ≤ j ≤ k 1\leq j\leq k 1 ≤ j ≤ k .
This is a standard counting argument. We proceed as follows. Count the number of possibilities for each column of the matrix g g g sequentially. The first column must start with a 1 a^1 a 1 and be non-zero, so it has either q n − m − 1 q^{n-m}-1 q n − m − 1 or q n − m q^{n-m} q n − m possibilities, depending respectively on whether a 1 a^1 a 1 is zero or not. The second column must start with a 2 a^2 a 2 and be linearly independent from the first column, so it has q n − m q^{n-m} q n − m minus at most q q q possibilities. The exact number depends on the dimension of the span of a 1 a^1 a 1 and a 2 a^2 a 2 . Continuing this way, we see that for each i ≤ k i\leq k i ≤ k the i i i -th column of g g g has q n − m − β i q^{n-m}-\beta_i q n − m − β i possibilities, where β i ≤ q i − 1 \beta_i\leq q^{i-1} β i ≤ q i − 1 . Since n − m > k n-m>k n − m > k we also notice that this number of possibilities is never zero. After choosing the first k k k columns, the span of those columns has dimension exactly k k k . Hence for indices i i i satisfying k < i < n k<i<n k < i < n , the i i i -th column has q n − q i − 1 q^n-q^{i-1} q n − q i − 1 possibilities. The last column must account for det g = 1 \det g=1 det g = 1 , and as such has only 1 q − 1 ( q n − q n − 1 ) \frac{1}{q-1}(q^n-q^{n-1}) q − 1 1 ( q n − q n − 1 ) possibilities. In summary, we have by this counting argument and by Theorem 7.1 :
μ ( E ) = lim n → ∞ 1 q − 1 ( q n − m − β 1 ) ⋯ ( q n − m − β k ) ( q n − q k ) ⋯ ( q n − q n − 1 ) 1 q − 1 ( q n − 1 ) ⋯ ( q n − q k − 1 ) ( q n − q k ) ⋯ ( q n − q n − 1 ) = lim n → ∞ q − m k ( 1 − β 1 q m − n 1 − q − n ) ⋯ ( 1 − β k q m − n 1 − q k − 1 − n ) = q − m k = Haar k , 0 ( E ) . \begin{aligned}
\mu(E)=\lim_{n\to\infty}\frac{\frac{1}{q-1}(q^{n-m}-\beta_1)\cdots(q^{n-m}-\beta_k)(q^n-q^k)\cdots(q^n-q^{n-1})}{\frac{1}{q-1}(q^n-1)\cdots(q^n-q^{k-1})(q^n-q^k)\cdots(q^n-q^{n-1})} \\
&=\lim_{n\to\infty}q^{-mk}\left(\frac{1-\beta_1q^{m-n}}{1-q^{-n}}\right)\cdots\left(\frac{1-\beta_kq^{m-n}}{1-q^{k-1-n}}\right)=q^{-mk}=\operatorname{Haar}^{k,0}(E).
\end{aligned} μ ( E ) = n → ∞ lim q − 1 1 ( q n − 1 ) ⋯ ( q n − q k − 1 ) ( q n − q k ) ⋯ ( q n − q n − 1 ) q − 1 1 ( q n − m − β 1 ) ⋯ ( q n − m − β k ) ( q n − q k ) ⋯ ( q n − q n − 1 ) = n → ∞ lim q − mk ( 1 − q − n 1 − β 1 q m − n ) ⋯ ( 1 − q k − 1 − n 1 − β k q m − n ) = q − mk = Haar k , 0 ( E ) .
Since the boxes comprise a π \pi π -system, we get μ = Haar k , 0 \mu=\operatorname{Haar}^{k,0} μ = Haar k , 0 , as required. As was mentioned above, the space X 0 , k X^{0,k} X 0 , k is equivariantly isomorphic to X k , 0 X^{k,0} X k , 0 under the intertwining automorphism g ↦ g − t g\mapsto g^{-t} g ↦ g − t of SL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) , hence we obtain the result for it too. □
Regular linear independence
For each vector v ∈ V v\in V v ∈ V and m , t ∈ N m,t\in\mathbb{N} m , t ∈ N , let v ( m , m + t ] v_{(m,m+t]} v ( m , m + t ] denote the vector ( v i ) i = m + 1 m + t ∈ F q t (v_i)_{i=m+1}^{m+t}\in\mathbb{F}_q^t ( v i ) i = m + 1 m + t ∈ F q t . Since V ^ \widehat{V} V and V V V have the same underlying set, we use the same notation for elements of V ^ \widehat{V} V .
Definition 7.5. Fix r ∈ N r\in\mathbb{N} r ∈ N . Let v ∈ V r v\in V^r v ∈ V r and m ∈ N m\in\mathbb{N} m ∈ N . The smallest t ∈ N t\in\mathbb{N} t ∈ N such that the sequence of vectors
v ( m , m + t ] 1 , … , v ( m , m + t ] r ∈ F q t v^1_{(m,m+t]},\ldots,v^r_{(m,m+t]}\in\mathbb{F}_q^t v ( m , m + t ] 1 , … , v ( m , m + t ] r ∈ F q t is linearly independent is called the m m m -th index of independence of v v v and will be denoted I m ( v ) I_m(v) I m ( v ) . If no such t t t exists, we let I m ( v ) = ∞ I_m(v)=\infty I m ( v ) = ∞ . If T ∈ N T\in\mathbb{N} T ∈ N is such that
lim inf m → ∞ I m ( v ) = T , \liminf_{m\to\infty}I_m(v)=T, m → ∞ lim inf I m ( v ) = T , then v v v is called T T T -regularly linearly independent. If there is some T T T such that v v v is T T T -regularly linearly independent, then v v v will be called regularly linearly independent.
Notice that a generic element of X 0 , ℓ X^{0,\ell} X 0 , ℓ is Haar 0 , ℓ \operatorname{Haar}^{0,\ell} Haar 0 , ℓ -almost surely ℓ \ell ℓ -regularly linearly independent. We aim to show that, provided k ≤ ℓ k \le\ell k ≤ ℓ , the action of the stabilizer of a regularly linearly independent functional φ ∈ X 0 , ℓ \varphi\in X^{0,\ell} φ ∈ X 0 , ℓ on X k , 0 X^{k,0} X k , 0 is uniquely ergodic, the only invariant measure being Haar k , 0 \operatorname{Haar}^{k,0} Haar k , 0 .
Lemma 7.6. Let φ 1 , … , φ r ∈ V ^ n \varphi^{1},\ldots,\varphi^{r} \in\widehat{V}_{n} φ 1 , … , φ r ∈ V n be linearly independent functionals. Let 1 ≤ m ≤ n 1 \le m \le n 1 ≤ m ≤ n . The functionals φ > m 1 , … , φ > m r \varphi^{1}_{>m},\ldots,\varphi^{r}_{>m} φ > m 1 , … , φ > m r are linearly independent if and only if the restriction of the projection map
Π m n : V n → V m , v ↦ v ≤ m \Pi^{n}_{m}: V_{n} \to V_{m}, \qquad v \mapsto v_{\le m} Π m n : V n → V m , v ↦ v ≤ m to the joint kernel { φ 1 , … , φ r } ⊥ ⊆ V n \{\varphi^{1},\ldots,\varphi^{r}\}^{\perp} \subseteq V_{n} { φ 1 , … , φ r } ⊥ ⊆ V n is surjective.
Proof. Follows from basic linear algebra. □ \square □
Lemma 7.7. Fix k , ℓ ∈ N k,\ell\in\mathbb{N} k , ℓ ∈ N . Let φ ∈ X 0 , ℓ \varphi\in X^{0,\ell} φ ∈ X 0 , ℓ be a functional and m ∈ N m \in\mathbb{N} m ∈ N . Assume that the functionals φ > m 1 , … , φ > m ℓ \varphi^{1}_{>m},\ldots,\varphi^{\ell}_{>m} φ > m 1 , … , φ > m ℓ are linearly independent. Define
K = max { Im ( φ ) , ℓ + 2 k } . K = \max\{ \operatorname{Im}(\varphi), \ell+ 2k \}. K = max { Im ( φ ) , ℓ + 2 k } . Then for any n > m + K n > m + K n > m + K the following holds: If v ∈ V n k v \in V_{n}^{k} v ∈ V n k is linearly independent and w ∈ V m k w \in V_{m}^{k} w ∈ V m k then there exists an element g ∈ Stab S L n ( F q ) ( φ ) g \in\operatorname{Stab}_{\mathrm{SL}_{n}(\mathbb{F}_{q})}(\varphi) g ∈ Stab SL n ( F q ) ( φ ) such that ( g v ) ≤ m = w (gv)_{\le m} = w ( g v ) ≤ m = w .
Proof. Fix some n > m + K n > m + K n > m + K . Let v ∈ V n k v \in V_{n}^{k} v ∈ V n k be linearly independent and w ∈ V m k w \in V_{m}^{k} w ∈ V m k be arbitrary. We will find an element g ∈ Stab S L n ( F q ) ( φ ) g \in\operatorname{Stab}_{\mathrm{SL}_{n}(\mathbb{F}_{q})}(\varphi) g ∈ Stab SL n ( F q ) ( φ ) such that ( g v ) ≤ m = w (gv)_{\le m} = w ( g v ) ≤ m = w .
For each i = 1 , … , k i = 1,\ldots,k i = 1 , … , k let a i = v ≤ m i − w i ∈ V m a^{i} = v^{i}_{\le m} - w^{i} \in V_{m} a i = v ≤ m i − w i ∈ V m . By Theorem 7.6, we can lift the a i a^{i} a i to elements a ~ i \widetilde{a}^{i} a i of the joint kernel subspace { φ 1 , … , φ ℓ } ⊥ ⊆ V n \{\varphi^{1},\ldots,\varphi^{\ell}\}^{\perp} \subseteq V_{n} { φ 1 , … , φ ℓ } ⊥ ⊆ V n through the projection Π m n \Pi^{n}_{m} Π m n . The fibers of Π m n \Pi^{n}_{m} Π m n are affine subspaces of dimension n − ℓ − m n-\ell-m n − ℓ − m . Since this dimension is larger than 2 k 2k 2 k , we can choose the a ~ i \widetilde{a}^{i} a i such that the set { v i } i = 1 k ∪ { a ~ i } i = 1 k \{v^{i}\}_{i=1}^{k} \cup\{\widetilde{a}^{i}\}_{i=1}^{k} { v i } i = 1 k ∪ { a i } i = 1 k is linearly independent. Extend this linearly independent set to a basis
v 1 , … , v k , a ~ 1 , … , a ~ k , f 2 k + 1 , … , f n v^{1},\ldots,v^{k},\widetilde{a}^{1},\ldots,\widetilde{a}^{k},f^{2k+1},\ldots,f^{n} v 1 , … , v k , a 1 , … , a k , f 2 k + 1 , … , f n of V n V_{n} V n . Let g ∈ S L n ( F q ) g \in\mathrm{SL}_{n}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) g ∈ SL n ( F q ) be the linear transformation which sends v i v^{i} v i to v i − a ~ i v^{i}-\widetilde{a}^{i} v i − a i for 1 ≤ i ≤ k 1 \le i \le k 1 ≤ i ≤ k and keeps the other basis vectors fixed. By definition ( g v i ) ≤ m = v ≤ m i − a i = w i (gv^{i})_{\le m}=v^{i}_{\le m}-a^{i}=w^{i} ( g v i ) ≤ m = v ≤ m i − a i = w i and g g g has determinant 1.
Showing that the element g g g fixes the functional φ \varphi φ is equivalent to showing that g − 1 g^{-1} g − 1 fixes φ \varphi φ . The latter fact holds if and only if
⟨ g v , φ j ⟩ n = ⟨ v , φ j ⟩ n for all v ∈ V n and j = 1 , … , ℓ . \langle gv,\varphi^{j}\rangle_{n}=\langle v,\varphi^{j}\rangle_{n}\qquad\text{for all }v\in V_{n}\text{ and }j=1,\ldots,\ell. ⟨ g v , φ j ⟩ n = ⟨ v , φ j ⟩ n for all v ∈ V n and j = 1 , … , ℓ . These equations are satisfied for each of the basis vectors given in ( ∗ ) (*) ( ∗ ) by definition. □ \square □
The following proposition is the main technical tool that will help us apply the ergodic theorem to Stab S L ∞ ( F q ) ( φ ) \operatorname{Stab}_{\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q})}(\varphi) Stab SL ∞ ( F q ) ( φ ) -ergodic measures. We use the linear algebraic notations introduced in § 2.2 .
Proposition 7.8. Let k , ℓ ∈ N k,\ell\in\mathbb{N} k , ℓ ∈ N . Let φ ∈ X 0 , ℓ \varphi\in X^{0,\ell} φ ∈ X 0 , ℓ be regularly linearly independent and μ \mu μ be an ergodic Stab S L ∞ ( F q ) ( φ ) \operatorname{Stab}_{\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q})}(\varphi) Stab SL ∞ ( F q ) ( φ ) -invariant measure on X k , 0 X^{k,0} X k , 0 . Then
μ ( { v ∈ X k , 0 : M n ( v , φ ) has full rank for infinitely many n } ) = 1. \mu\left(\left\{v\in X^{k,0}:M_{n}(v,\varphi)\text{ has full rank for infinitely many }n\right\}\right)=1. μ ( { v ∈ X k , 0 : M n ( v , φ ) has full rank for infinitely many n } ) = 1. Proof. Define P = Stab S L ∞ ( F q ) ( φ ) P=\operatorname{Stab}_{\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q})}(\varphi) P = Stab SL ∞ ( F q ) ( φ ) and P n = P ∩ S L n ( F q ) P_{n}=P\cap\mathrm{SL}_{n}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) P n = P ∩ SL n ( F q ) for each n ∈ N n\in\mathbb{N} n ∈ N . Let E E E denote the event in question. Since the pairing ⟨ ⋅ , ⋅ ⟩ n \langle\cdot,\cdot\rangle_{n} ⟨ ⋅ , ⋅ ⟩ n is P m P_{m} P m -invariant whenever n ≥ m n\ge m n ≥ m , the event E E E is P P P -invariant. Hence by ergodicity of μ \mu μ it will suffice to show that μ ( E ) > 0 \mu(E)>0 μ ( E ) > 0 .
Let T ∈ N T \in\mathbb{N} T ∈ N be such that φ \varphi φ is T T T -regularly linearly independent, and J ⊆ N J \subseteq\mathbb{N} J ⊆ N be the set of indices m ∈ N m \in\mathbb{N} m ∈ N such that the vectors φ ( m , m + T ] j \varphi^{j}_{(m,m+T]} φ ( m , m + T ] j for j ∈ { 1 , … , ℓ } j \in\{1,\ldots,\ell\} j ∈ { 1 , … , ℓ } are linearly independent. By assumption J J J is infinite. Write E E E as a nested intersection E = ⋂ m ∈ J S m E = \bigcap_{m \in J} S_m E = ⋂ m ∈ J S m , where
S m = { v ∈ X k , 0 : ∃ n ≥ m such that M n ( v , φ ) has full rank } . S_m = \{v \in X^{k,0} : \exists n \ge m \text{ such that } M_n(v,\varphi) \text{ has full rank}\}. S m = { v ∈ X k , 0 : ∃ n ≥ m such that M n ( v , φ ) has full rank } .
We will show that μ ( S m ) \mu(S_m) μ ( S m ) is bounded from below by some δ > 0 \delta> 0 δ > 0 independent of m m m .
A box [ a 1 , … , a k ] ⊆ X k , 0 [a^1,\ldots,a^k] \subseteq X^{k,0} [ a 1 , … , a k ] ⊆ X k , 0 of length m m m will be called independent if the vectors a 1 , … , a k a^1,\ldots,a^k a 1 , … , a k are linearly independent in V m V_m V m . Notice that X k , 0 = ⋃ { B an independent box } X^{k,0} = \bigcup\{B \text{ an independent box}\} X k , 0 = ⋃ { B an independent box } . Hence, for all large enough m m m , there are disjoint independent boxes of length m m m whose union has measure at least 1 / 2 1/2 1/2 . Fix such an index m ∈ J m \in J m ∈ J together with a corresponding collection of independent boxes B 1 , … , B K B_1,\ldots,B_K B 1 , … , B K . We may also assume that m m m is large enough such that the sequence φ ≤ m \varphi_{\le m} φ ≤ m is linearly independent.
Define Y ⊆ V m k Y \subseteq V_m^k Y ⊆ V m k to be the set of all vectors w ∈ V m k w \in V_m^k w ∈ V m k such that M m ( w , φ ) M_m(w,\varphi) M m ( w , φ ) has full rank. The ratio ∣ Y ∣ / q m k |Y|/q^{mk} ∣ Y ∣/ q mk is the probability that a uniformly random matrix in M ℓ × k ( F q ) M_{\ell\times k}(\mathbb{F}_q) M ℓ × k ( F q ) has full rank. This probability is some positive value γ > 0 \gamma> 0 γ > 0 which is independent of m m m .
Now, let n = m + C n = m+C n = m + C where C = max { T , ℓ + 2 k } + 1 C = \max\{T,\ell+2k\}+1 C = max { T , ℓ + 2 k } + 1 . Each box of length m m m is the disjoint union of q k C q^{kC} q k C subboxes of length n n n . For each i = 1 , … , K i = 1,\ldots,K i = 1 , … , K choose some subbox B i ′ ⊆ B i B'_i \subseteq B_i B i ′ ⊆ B i of length n n n satisfying μ ( B i ′ ) ≥ μ ( B i ) q − k C \mu(B'_i) \ge\mu(B_i)q^{-kC} μ ( B i ′ ) ≥ μ ( B i ) q − k C . Up to reordering, we may assume without loss of generality that μ ( B i ′ ) \mu(B'_i) μ ( B i ′ ) is a decreasing sequence. Choose an arbitrarily ordering w 1 , … , w ∣ Y ∣ w_1,\ldots,w_{|Y|} w 1 , … , w ∣ Y ∣ of the set Y Y Y . Consider the pairs ( B 1 ′ , w 1 ) , … , ( B N ′ , w N ) (B'_1,w_1),\ldots,(B'_N,w_N) ( B 1 ′ , w 1 ) , … , ( B N ′ , w N ) with N = min ( K , ∣ Y ∣ ) N = \min(K,|Y|) N = min ( K , ∣ Y ∣ ) . Since K ≤ q m k K \le q^{mk} K ≤ q mk it follows that N / K ≥ γ N/K \ge\gamma N / K ≥ γ .
For each pair ( B i ′ , w i ) (B'_i,w_i) ( B i ′ , w i ) where i ≤ N i \le N i ≤ N select an element g i ∈ P n g_i \in P_n g i ∈ P n such that ( g i v ) ≤ m = w i (g_iv)_{\le m} = w_i ( g i v ) ≤ m = w i for all v ∈ B i ′ v \in B'_i v ∈ B i ′ . This is possible to do by Theorem 7.7. The subsets g i B i ′ g_iB'_i g i B i ′ for i = 1 , … , N i = 1,\ldots,N i = 1 , … , N are pairwise disjoint. By definition we have g i B i ′ ⊆ S m g_iB'_i \subseteq S_m g i B i ′ ⊆ S m . This gives:
μ ( S m ) ≥ ∑ i = 1 N μ ( g i B i ′ ) ≥ N K ∑ i = 1 K μ ( B i ′ ) ≥ γ q − k C ∑ i = 1 K μ ( B i ) ≥ 1 2 γ q − k C . \mu(S_m) \ge\sum_{i=1}^{N}\mu(g_iB'_i) \ge\frac{N}{K}\sum_{i=1}^{K}\mu(B'_i) \ge\gamma q^{-kC}\sum_{i=1}^{K}\mu(B_i) \ge\frac{1}{2}\gamma q^{-kC}. μ ( S m ) ≥ i = 1 ∑ N μ ( g i B i ′ ) ≥ K N i = 1 ∑ K μ ( B i ′ ) ≥ γ q − k C i = 1 ∑ K μ ( B i ) ≥ 2 1 γ q − k C .
Since the right-hand side is independent of m m m , this lower bound holds uniformly for arbitrarily large indices m ∈ J m \in J m ∈ J , as required. □
Invariant measures on X k , ℓ X^{k,\ell} X k , ℓ
We turn to our second use of the ergodic theorem.
Proposition 7.9. Fix k , ℓ ∈ N k,\ell\in\mathbb{N} k , ℓ ∈ N . Let φ ∈ X 0 , ℓ \varphi\in X^{0,\ell} φ ∈ X 0 , ℓ be a regularly linearly independent functional. Denote P = Stab S L ∞ ( F q ) ( φ ) P = \operatorname{Stab}_{\mathrm{SL}_\infty(\mathbb{F}_q)}(\varphi) P = Stab SL ∞ ( F q ) ( φ ) . The only P P P -invariant probability measure on X k , 0 X^{k,0} X k , 0 is Haar k , 0 \operatorname{Haar}^{k,0} Haar k , 0 .
Proof. First, we may and will assume without loss of generality that k ≤ ℓ k \le\ell k ≤ ℓ . Indeed, replacing φ \varphi φ by a functional φ ′ ∈ X 0 , ℓ ′ \varphi' \in X^{0,\ell'} φ ′ ∈ X 0 , ℓ ′ for some ℓ ′ ≥ ℓ \ell' \ge\ell ℓ ′ ≥ ℓ whose first ℓ \ell ℓ entries coincide with φ \varphi φ replaces the stabilizer P P P by a subgroup P ′ P' P ′ . Any P P P -invariant measure is, of course, P ′ P' P ′ -invariant. Hence, proving the proposition for the smaller group P ′ P' P ′ would imply it for P P P , provided the functional φ ′ \varphi' φ ′ is taken to be regularly linearly independent, which is always possible.
Let μ \mu μ be a P P P -invariant measure on X k , 0 X^{k,0} X k , 0 . By the ergodic decomposition we may assume without loss of generality that μ \mu μ is ergodic. Let E = [ q ] ⊆ X k , 0 E = [q] \subseteq X^{k,0} E = [ q ] ⊆ X k , 0 be a box of some length m m m , where q ∈ V m k q \in V_m^k q ∈ V m k . Let v = ( v 1 , … , v k ) ∈ X k , 0 v = (v^1,\ldots,v^k) \in X^{k,0} v = ( v 1 , … , v k ) ∈ X k , 0 be a generic point with respect to E E E , in the sense that
μ ( E ) = lim n → ∞ 1 ∣ P n ∣ ∣ { g ∈ P n : g v ∈ E } ∣ . (18) \mu(E) = \lim_{n\to\infty} \frac{1}{|P_n|}|\{g \in P_n : gv \in E\}|. \tag*{(18)} μ ( E ) = n → ∞ lim ∣ P n ∣ 1 ∣ { g ∈ P n : g v ∈ E } ∣. (18)
as per Theorem 7.1 . Here P n = P ∩ S L n ( F q ) P_n = P \cap\mathrm{SL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) P n = P ∩ SL n ( F q ) for each n ∈ N n \in\mathbb{N} n ∈ N .
Choose an index n > m + ℓ n > m+\ell n > m + ℓ large enough such that each of the two collections ( φ ≤ n j ) j = 1 ℓ (\varphi^j_{\le n})_{j=1}^{\ell} ( φ ≤ n j ) j = 1 ℓ and ( v ≤ n i ) i = 1 k (v^i_{\le n})_{i=1}^{k} ( v ≤ n i ) i = 1 k is linearly independent. Let f = ( f j ) j = 1 n f = (f^j)_{j=1}^{n} f = ( f j ) j = 1 n be a basis of V ^ n \widehat{V}_n V n extending φ ≤ n 1 , … , φ ≤ n ℓ \varphi^1_{\le n},\ldots,\varphi^\ell_{\le n} φ ≤ n 1 , … , φ ≤ n ℓ so that f j = φ ≤ n j f^j=\varphi^j_{\leq n} f j = φ ≤ n j for j = 1 , … , ℓ j=1,\ldots,\ell j = 1 , … , ℓ . Viewing the elements of V ^ n \widehat{V}_n V n as row vectors, let F F F be the n × n n\times n n × n matrix whose j j j -th row is f j f^j f j . With respect to the standard basis, any element g ∈ P n g\in P_n g ∈ P n takes the form
g = F − 1 ( I ℓ 0 ℓ , n − ℓ B A ) F (19) g=F^{-1}\begin{pmatrix} I_\ell& 0_{\ell,n-\ell}\\ B & A \end{pmatrix}F \tag*{(19)} g = F − 1 ( I ℓ B 0 ℓ , n − ℓ A ) F (19)
where A ∈ S L n − ℓ ( F q ) A\in\mathrm{SL}_{n-\ell}(\mathbb{F}_q) A ∈ SL n − ℓ ( F q ) and B ∈ M ( n − ℓ ) × ℓ ( F q ) B\in\mathrm{M}_{(n-\ell)\times\ell}(\mathbb{F}_q) B ∈ M ( n − ℓ ) × ℓ ( F q ) are some matrices. We obtain a group isomorphism S L n − ℓ ( F q ) ⋉ M ( n − ℓ ) × ℓ ( F q ) ≅ P n \mathrm{SL}_{n-\ell}(\mathbb{F}_q)\ltimes\mathrm{M}_{(n-\ell)\times\ell}(\mathbb{F}_q)\cong P_n SL n − ℓ ( F q ) ⋉ M ( n − ℓ ) × ℓ ( F q ) ≅ P n . In what follows, we identify each pair ( A , B ) (A,B) ( A , B ) with its image in P n P_n P n under this isomorphism.
We look for conditions on the element g ∈ P n g\in P_n g ∈ P n such that g v ∈ E gv\in E g v ∈ E , meaning ( g v i ) ≤ m = a i (gv^i)_{\leq m}=a^i ( g v i ) ≤ m = a i for i = 1 , … , k i=1,\ldots,k i = 1 , … , k . This calculation is naturally expressed in matrix notation. Defining v ∈ M ∞ × k ( F q ) v\in\mathrm{M}_{\infty\times k}(\mathbb{F}_q) v ∈ M ∞ × k ( F q ) and a ∈ M m × k ( F q ) a\in\mathrm{M}_{m\times k}(\mathbb{F}_q) a ∈ M m × k ( F q ) as the matrices whose columns are v v v and a a a respectively, and letting ( ⋅ ) ≤ m (\cdot)_{\leq m} ( ⋅ ) ≤ m denote the first m m m rows of a matrix, we seek elements g ∈ P n g\in P_n g ∈ P n such that ( g v ) ≤ m = a (gv)_{\leq m}=a ( g v ) ≤ m = a .
Denote u = F v ≤ n ∈ M n × k ( F q ) u=Fv_{\leq n}\in\mathrm{M}_{n\times k}(\mathbb{F}_q) u = F v ≤ n ∈ M n × k ( F q ) . Split this matrix into the first ℓ \ell ℓ rows and the remaining rows, as u = ( u ≤ ℓ u > ℓ ) u=\begin{pmatrix}u_{\leq\ell}\\u_{>\ell}\end{pmatrix} u = ( u ≤ ℓ u > ℓ ) . Since f j = φ ≤ n j f^j=\varphi^j_{\leq n} f j = φ ≤ n j for all j ≤ ℓ j\leq\ell j ≤ ℓ , the matrix u ≤ ℓ u_{\leq\ell} u ≤ ℓ is equal to the pairing M n ( v , φ ) M_n(v,\varphi) M n ( v , φ ) by definition. Writing g v ≤ n gv_{\leq n} g v ≤ n in coordinates as ( a c ) \begin{pmatrix}a\\c\end{pmatrix} ( a c ) , with a ∈ M m × k ( F q ) a\in\mathrm{M}_{m\times k}(\mathbb{F}_q) a ∈ M m × k ( F q ) and c ∈ M ( n − m ) × k ( F q ) c\in\mathrm{M}_{(n-m)\times k}(\mathbb{F}_q) c ∈ M ( n − m ) × k ( F q ) , expression (19) gives
F ( a c ) = ( I ℓ 0 ℓ , n − ℓ B A ) ( u ≤ ℓ u > ℓ ) = ( u ≤ ℓ B u ≤ ℓ + A u > ℓ ) . (20) F\begin{pmatrix}a\\c\end{pmatrix}
=
\begin{pmatrix}I_\ell&0_{\ell,n-\ell}\\B&A\end{pmatrix}
\begin{pmatrix}u_{\leq\ell}\\u_{>\ell}\end{pmatrix}
=
\begin{pmatrix}u_{\leq\ell}\\Bu_{\leq\ell}+Au_{>\ell}\end{pmatrix}. \tag*{(20)} F ( a c ) = ( I ℓ B 0 ℓ , n − ℓ A ) ( u ≤ ℓ u > ℓ ) = ( u ≤ ℓ B u ≤ ℓ + A u > ℓ ) . (20)
The first ℓ \ell ℓ rows of this equation give constraints on c c c which are independent of g g g :
M n − m ( c , φ > m ) = u ≤ ℓ − M m ( a , φ ) . (21) M_{n-m}(c,\varphi_{>m})=u_{\leq\ell}-M_m(a,\varphi). \tag*{(21)} M n − m ( c , φ > m ) = u ≤ ℓ − M m ( a , φ ) . (21)
As φ \varphi φ is assumed to be regularly linearly independent, for sufficiently large n n n the vectors φ ( m , n ] j \varphi^j_{(m,n]} φ ( m , n ] j , j = 1 , … , ℓ j=1,\ldots,\ell j = 1 , … , ℓ are linearly independent. For such n n n the space of all matrices c c c which are solutions to eq. (21) is a certain affine subspace C ( v , a ) ⊆ M ( n − m ) × k ( F q ) C(v,a)\subseteq\mathrm{M}_{(n-m)\times k}(\mathbb{F}_q) C ( v , a ) ⊆ M ( n − m ) × k ( F q ) of codimension ℓ k \ell k ℓ k .
Given c ∈ C ( v , a ) c\in C(v,a) c ∈ C ( v , a ) , the last n − ℓ n-\ell n − ℓ rows of eq. (20) give an equation for g g g of the form
B u ≤ ℓ + A u > ℓ = d ( v , a , c ) , (22) Bu_{\leq\ell}+Au_{>\ell}=d(v,a,c), \tag*{(22)} B u ≤ ℓ + A u > ℓ = d ( v , a , c ) , (22)
where d ( v , a , c ) ∈ M ( n − ℓ ) × k ( F q ) d(v,a,c)\in\mathrm{M}_{(n-\ell)\times k}(\mathbb{F}_q) d ( v , a , c ) ∈ M ( n − ℓ ) × k ( F q ) . Rearranging eq. (22) , for each given A ∈ S L n − ℓ ( F q ) A\in\mathrm{SL}_{n-\ell}(\mathbb{F}_q) A ∈ SL n − ℓ ( F q ) we get linear equations on the matrix B B B :
B u ≤ ℓ = d ( v , a , c ) − A u > ℓ . (23) Bu_{\leq\ell}=d(v,a,c)-Au_{>\ell}. \tag*{(23)} B u ≤ ℓ = d ( v , a , c ) − A u > ℓ . (23)
In this form, each row of B B B is constrained by k k k affine equations. For each row, the coefficient vectors of the homogeneous part of these equations are the columns of u ≤ ℓ = M n ( v , φ ) u_{\leq\ell}=M_n(v,\varphi) u ≤ ℓ = M n ( v , φ ) .
By Theorem 7.8, we may assume that v v v is such that for infinitely many indices n n n , the corresponding matrix u ≤ ℓ u_{\leq\ell} u ≤ ℓ has full rank. Since the limit in eq. (18) necessarily exists, and our aim is to calculate it, we may restrict ourselves only to such n n n .
In this case, we get that for each c ∈ C ( v , a ) c\in C(v,a) c ∈ C ( v , a ) and A ∈ S L n − ℓ ( F q ) A\in\mathrm{SL}_{n-\ell}(\mathbb{F}_q) A ∈ SL n − ℓ ( F q ) , the set of matrices B B B satisfying eq. (23) is an affine subspace of M ( n − ℓ ) × ℓ ( F q ) \mathrm{M}_{(n-\ell)\times\ell}(\mathbb{F}_q) M ( n − ℓ ) × ℓ ( F q ) of codimension ( n − ℓ ) k (n-\ell)k ( n − ℓ ) k . Here we use the assumption k ≤ ℓ k\leq\ell k ≤ ℓ so that rk u ≤ ℓ = k \operatorname{rk}u_{\leq\ell}=k rk u ≤ ℓ = k . Notice that the matrix c c c is determined by the pair ( A , B ) (A,B) ( A , B ) via eq. (20) . Thus we obtain the count
∣ { g ∈ P n : g ⋅ v ∈ E } ∣ = ∣ C ( v , a ) ∣ ⋅ ∣ S L n − ℓ ( F q ) ∣ ⋅ ∣ M ( n − ℓ ) × ℓ ( F q ) ∣ q − k ( n − ℓ ) = q k ( n − m ) − ℓ k ⋅ ∣ P n ∣ ⋅ q − k ( n − ℓ ) = ∣ P n ∣ q − k m . (24) \begin{aligned}
\left|\{g\in P_n:g\cdot v\in E\}\right|
=|C(v,a)|\cdot|\mathrm{SL}_{n-\ell}(\mathbb{F}_q)|\cdot|\mathrm{M}_{(n-\ell)\times\ell}(\mathbb{F}_q)|q^{-k(n-\ell)} \\
&=q^{k(n-m)-\ell k}\cdot|P_n|\cdot q^{-k(n-\ell)}
=|P_n|q^{-km}. \tag*{(24)}
\end{aligned} ∣ { g ∈ P n : g ⋅ v ∈ E } ∣ = ∣ C ( v , a ) ∣ ⋅ ∣ SL n − ℓ ( F q ) ∣ ⋅ ∣ M ( n − ℓ ) × ℓ ( F q ) ∣ q − k ( n − ℓ ) = q k ( n − m ) − ℓ k ⋅ ∣ P n ∣ ⋅ q − k ( n − ℓ ) = ∣ P n ∣ q − k m . (24)
Substituting eq. (24) in eq. (18) we obtain
μ ( E ) = q − k m = Haar k , 0 ( E ) . \mu(E)=q^{-km}=\operatorname{Haar}^{k,0}(E). μ ( E ) = q − k m = Haar k , 0 ( E ) .
The set of boxes is a π \pi π -system which generates the product σ \sigma σ -algebra, so μ = Haar k , 0 \mu= \operatorname{Haar}^{k,0} μ = Haar k , 0 as required. □
We establish the main theorem of this section by combining the preceding results.
Proof of Theorem 1.3 . We may assume without loss of generality that k ≤ ℓ k \le\ell k ≤ ℓ , for the two actions on X k , ℓ X^{k,\ell} X k , ℓ and X ℓ , k X^{\ell,k} X ℓ , k are equivariantly isomorphic. Let μ \mu μ be an SL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) -invariant probability measure on X k , ℓ = X k , 0 × X 0 , ℓ X^{k,\ell} = X^{k,0} \times X^{0,\ell} X k , ℓ = X k , 0 × X 0 , ℓ . By Theorem 7.3 the measure μ \mu μ is necessarily a joining of the two systems ( X k , 0 , Haar k , 0 ) (X^{k,0}, \operatorname{Haar}^{k,0}) ( X k , 0 , Haar k , 0 ) and ( X 0 , ℓ , Haar 0 , ℓ ) (X^{0,\ell}, \operatorname{Haar}^{0,\ell}) ( X 0 , ℓ , Haar 0 , ℓ ) .
Let φ ∈ X 0 , ℓ \varphi\in X^{0,\ell} φ ∈ X 0 , ℓ be a regularly linearly independent functional. Let P = Stab SL ∞ ( F q ) ( φ ) P = \operatorname{Stab}_{\operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)}(\varphi) P = Stab SL ∞ ( F q ) ( φ ) be its stabilizer. By Theorem 7.9 any such subgroup P P P acts uniquely ergodically on X k , 0 X^{k,0} X k , 0 .
Since a functional φ ∈ X 0 , ℓ \varphi\in X^{0,\ell} φ ∈ X 0 , ℓ is regularly linearly independent Haar 0 , ℓ \operatorname{Haar}^{0,\ell} Haar 0 , ℓ -almost surely, Theorem 7.2 applied with respect to the two systems X = X 0 , ℓ X = X^{0,\ell} X = X 0 , ℓ and Y = X k , 0 Y = X^{k,0} Y = X k , 0 says that these systems are disjoint. Hence μ = Haar k , 0 × Haar 0 , ℓ = Haar k , ℓ \mu= \operatorname{Haar}^{k,0} \times\operatorname{Haar}^{0,\ell} = \operatorname{Haar}^{k,\ell} μ = Haar k , 0 × Haar 0 , ℓ = Haar k , ℓ , as required. □
Invariant measures on related spaces
In this section, we use the unique ergodicity of the system X k , ℓ X^{k,\ell} X k , ℓ to describe invariant measures on two additional families of spaces. These are V k , ℓ V^{k,\ell} V k , ℓ , of which X k , ℓ X^{k,\ell} X k , ℓ is a subspace, and the product of the infinite Grassmannians Gr k ( V ) × Gr ℓ ( V ^ ) \operatorname{Gr}_{k}(V) \times\operatorname{Gr}_{\ell}(\widehat{V}) Gr k ( V ) × Gr ℓ ( V ) , which is a quotient of X k , ℓ X^{k,\ell} X k , ℓ . The results in this section will not be used in the sequel, and we discuss them for their intrinsic interest.
Invariant measures on V k , ℓ V^{k,\ell} V k , ℓ
We associate to each vector v ∈ V k v \in V^k v ∈ V k the linear map
T v : F q k → V , T v ( α ) = ∑ i = 1 k α i v i . T_v : \mathbb{F}_q^k \to V,\qquad T_v(\alpha) = \sum_{i=1}^{k} \alpha_i v^i. T v : F q k → V , T v ( α ) = i = 1 ∑ k α i v i .
Set ker ( v ) = ker ( T v ) ≤ F q k \ker(v) = \ker(T_v) \le\mathbb{F}_q^k ker ( v ) = ker ( T v ) ≤ F q k . Define ker ( φ ) ≤ F q ℓ \ker(\varphi) \le\mathbb{F}_q^\ell ker ( φ ) ≤ F q ℓ for each functional φ ∈ V ^ ℓ \varphi\in\widehat{V}^\ell φ ∈ V ℓ in an analogous manner. For a given pair of subspaces U ≤ F q k U \le\mathbb{F}_q^k U ≤ F q k , W ≤ F q ℓ W \le\mathbb{F}_q^\ell W ≤ F q ℓ we define
X U , W k , ℓ = { ( v , φ ) ∈ V k , ℓ : ker ( v ) = U and ker ( φ ) = W } . X^{k,\ell}_{U,W} = \{(v,\varphi) \in V^{k,\ell} : \ker(v) = U \text{ and } \ker(\varphi) = W\}. X U , W k , ℓ = {( v , φ ) ∈ V k , ℓ : ker ( v ) = U and ker ( φ ) = W } .
Every such X U , W k , ℓ X^{k,\ell}_{U,W} X U , W k , ℓ is a Borel subset of the space V k , ℓ V^{k,\ell} V k , ℓ . We have the disjoint partition
V k , ℓ = ⨆ U ≤ F q k , W ≤ F q ℓ X U , W k , ℓ . V^{k,\ell} = \bigsqcup_{\substack{U \le\mathbb{F}_q^k,\, W \le\mathbb{F}_q^\ell}} X^{k,\ell}_{U,W}. V k , ℓ = U ≤ F q k , W ≤ F q ℓ ⨆ X U , W k , ℓ .
For example, note that X 0 , 0 k , ℓ = X k , ℓ X^{k,\ell}_{0,0} = X^{k,\ell} X 0 , 0 k , ℓ = X k , ℓ .
Claim 7.10. Let k , ℓ ∈ N 0 k,\ell\in\mathbb{N}_0 k , ℓ ∈ N 0 and U ≤ F q k U \le\mathbb{F}_q^k U ≤ F q k , W ≤ F q ℓ W \le\mathbb{F}_q^\ell W ≤ F q ℓ . The subset X U , W k , ℓ X^{k,\ell}_{U,W} X U , W k , ℓ is SL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) -invariant. It is isomorphic as a SL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) -space to X d , e X^{d,e} X d , e where d = k − dim U d = k - \dim U d = k − dim U and e = ℓ − dim W e = \ell- \dim W e = ℓ − dim W .
Proof. The invariance of X U , W k , ℓ X^{k,\ell}_{U,W} X U , W k , ℓ is clear. Choose arbitrarily surjective linear maps π 1 : F q k → F q d \pi_1 : \mathbb{F}_q^k \to\mathbb{F}_q^d π 1 : F q k → F q d and π 2 : F q ℓ → F q e \pi_2 : \mathbb{F}_q^\ell\to\mathbb{F}_q^e π 2 : F q ℓ → F q e with kernels U , W U,W U , W respectively. The induced map ( π 1 , π 2 ) : V k , ℓ → V d , e (\pi_1,\pi_2) : V^{k,\ell} \to V^{d,e} ( π 1 , π 2 ) : V k , ℓ → V d , e is SL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) -equivariant and is an isomorphism from X U , W k , ℓ X^{k,\ell}_{U,W} X U , W k , ℓ to X d , e X^{d,e} X d , e . □
The isomorphism constructed in the above claim endows X U , W k , ℓ X^{k,\ell}_{U,W} X U , W k , ℓ with an SL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) -invariant probability measure, induced by the unique SL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) -invariant probability measure on X d , e X^{d,e} X d , e . Its extension to V k , ℓ V^{k,\ell} V k , ℓ will be denoted τ U , W k , ℓ \tau^{k,\ell}_{U,W} τ U , W k , ℓ . This immediately gives the following classification of SL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) -invariant measures on V k , ℓ V^{k,\ell} V k , ℓ .
Theorem 7.11. Fix k , ℓ ∈ N 0 k,\ell\in\mathbb{N}_0 k , ℓ ∈ N 0 . Let μ \mu μ be an ergodic SL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) -invariant measure on V k , ℓ V^{k,\ell} V k , ℓ . There are subspaces U ≤ F q k U \le\mathbb{F}_q^k U ≤ F q k and W ≤ F q ℓ W \le\mathbb{F}_q^\ell W ≤ F q ℓ such that μ \mu μ is supported on X U , W k , ℓ X^{k,\ell}_{U,W} X U , W k , ℓ and μ = τ U , W k , ℓ \mu= \tau^{k,\ell}_{U,W} μ = τ U , W k , ℓ .
Proof. Since each X U , W k , ℓ X^{k,\ell}_{U,W} X U , W k , ℓ is a Borel S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) -invariant subset, and they form a partition of V k , ℓ V^{k,\ell} V k , ℓ , the ergodic measure μ \mu μ must be supported on exactly one such subset. This subset is isomorphic to X d , e X^{d,e} X d , e for some d ≤ k d \le k d ≤ k and e ≤ ℓ e \le\ell e ≤ ℓ by the above claim. By Theorem 1.3, the subset X d , e X^{d,e} X d , e is uniquely ergodic.
Invariant measures on Grassmannians
Given a vector space W W W , the k k k -dimensional Grassmannian Gr k ( W ) \operatorname{Gr}_k(W) Gr k ( W ) for some k ∈ N k \in\mathbb{N} k ∈ N is the set of subspaces of W W W of dimension k k k . In the case where W W W has more structure, such as a topology or the structure of an algebraic variety, the Grassmannian Gr k ( W ) \operatorname{Gr}_k(W) Gr k ( W ) usually inherits the corresponding structure.
We are interested in Grassmannians of the vector spaces V V V and V ^ \widehat{V} V . In the context of this section, we will give a definition using the spaces X k , ℓ X^{k,\ell} X k , ℓ . Notice that the space V k , ℓ V^{k,\ell} V k , ℓ , in addition to the left action by the group S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) considered up to now, admits a right action by the group G L k ( F q ) × G L ℓ ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_k(\mathbb{F}_q) \times\mathrm{GL}_\ell(\mathbb{F}_q) GL k ( F q ) × GL ℓ ( F q ) . If we view V k , ℓ V^{k,\ell} V k , ℓ as the space of matrices M ∞ × k ( F q ) × M ℓ × ∞ ( F q ) M_{\infty\times k}(\mathbb{F}_q) \times M_{\ell\times\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) M ∞ × k ( F q ) × M ℓ × ∞ ( F q ) then this right action is the appropriate matrix multiplication. We define the k k k -dimensional Grassmannian by
Gr k ( V ) = X k , 0 / ( G L k ( F q ) × 1 ) . \operatorname{Gr}_k(V) = X^{k,0}/(\mathrm{GL}_k(\mathbb{F}_q) \times1). Gr k ( V ) = X k , 0 / ( GL k ( F q ) × 1 ) .
The projection map X k , 0 → Gr k ( V ) X^{k,0} \to\operatorname{Gr}_k(V) X k , 0 → Gr k ( V ) is the natural map sending a tuple v ∈ X k , 0 v \in X^{k,0} v ∈ X k , 0 to the k k k -dimensional subspace which it spans. Since X k , 0 X^{k,0} X k , 0 is a standard Borel space, the Grassmannian Gr k ( V ) \operatorname{Gr}_k(V) Gr k ( V ) is also standard Borel, being a quotient of X k , 0 X^{k,0} X k , 0 by the action of a finite group. The Grassmannian X k , 0 X^{k,0} X k , 0 admit an S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) -action induced from that of X k , 0 X^{k,0} X k , 0 .
We can also define the dual Grassmannian Gr ℓ ( V ^ ) = X 0 , ℓ / ( 1 × G L ℓ ( F q ) ) \operatorname{Gr}_\ell(\widehat{V}) = X^{0,\ell}/(1 \times\mathrm{GL}_\ell(\mathbb{F}_q)) Gr ℓ ( V ) = X 0 , ℓ / ( 1 × GL ℓ ( F q )) , which differs from Gr ℓ ( V ) \operatorname{Gr}_\ell(V) Gr ℓ ( V ) only by the S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) -action on it.
Notice that the invariant random subgroup μ k , ℓ \mu_{k,\ell} μ k , ℓ of the group S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) can be alternatively defined as the stabilizer distribution of a random element in Gr k ( V ) × Gr ℓ ( V ^ ) \operatorname{Gr}_k(V) \times\operatorname{Gr}_\ell(\widehat{V}) Gr k ( V ) × Gr ℓ ( V ) , according to the measure induced from Haar k , ℓ \operatorname{Haar}^{k,\ell} Haar k , ℓ . Therefore it is interesting to ask what the S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) -invariant measures on this space are. We will show that this action is in fact uniquely ergodic.
Proposition 7.12. Let k , ℓ ∈ N 0 k,\ell\in\mathbb{N}_0 k , ℓ ∈ N 0 . The only S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) -invariant Borel probability measure on Gr k ( V ) × Gr ℓ ( V ^ ) \operatorname{Gr}_k(V) \times\operatorname{Gr}_\ell(\widehat{V}) Gr k ( V ) × Gr ℓ ( V ) is the projection of the measure Haar k , ℓ \operatorname{Haar}^{k,\ell} Haar k , ℓ from X k , ℓ X^{k,\ell} X k , ℓ .
The above proposition will be an immediate corollary of the following general result in the ergodic theory of group actions.
Proposition 7.13. Let G G G be a locally compact amenable group acting continuously on a pair of Polish spaces X X X and Y Y Y . Let p : X → Y p : X \to Y p : X → Y be a surjective G G G -equivariant continuous map and p ∗ : M G ( X ) → M G ( Y ) p_* : \mathcal{M}_G(X) \to\mathcal{M}_G(Y) p ∗ : M G ( X ) → M G ( Y ) the pushforward map on the spaces of G G G -invariant Borel probability measures. If the fibers of the map p p p are compact then the map p ∗ p_* p ∗ is surjective.
Proof. We use Zimmer’s theory of amenable actions [38 , 39 ] . Indeed [39 Remark 6(a)] states the analogous result, in the case where X = Y × F X = Y \times F X = Y × F is a direct product of Y Y Y with a compact fiber space F F F .
In our case, let ν \nu ν be a G G G -invariant probability measure on Y Y Y . Consider the Borel bundle of Banach spaces over Y Y Y where the fiber over every point y ∈ Y y \in Y y ∈ Y is C ( X y ) C(X_y) C ( X y ) , the space of continuous functions on the non-empty compact fiber X y = p − 1 ( y ) X_y = p^{-1}(y) X y = p − 1 ( y ) . Set A y A_y A y to be the set of probability measures on X y X_y X y . This defines an affine G G G -space A y ⊆ C ( X y ) ∗ A_y \subseteq C(X_y)^* A y ⊆ C ( X y ) ∗ over Y Y Y in the sense of [39 Definition 4.3.1] .
Since the group G G G is amenable, it acts amenably on the probability space ( Y , ν ) (Y,\nu) ( Y , ν ) . Hence there exists a ν \nu ν -a.s. defined G G G -invariant section λ y \lambda_y λ y of the dual bundle. Namely λ y ∈ A y \lambda_y \in A_y λ y ∈ A y and every element g ∈ G g \in G g ∈ G satisfies g ∗ λ y = λ g y g_*\lambda_y = \lambda_{gy} g ∗ λ y = λ g y for ν \nu ν -a.e. y ∈ Y y \in Y y ∈ Y . This allows us define a measure μ \mu μ on the space X X X by
μ = ∫ Y μ y d ν ( y ) . \mu=\int_Y \mu_y\,d\nu(y). μ = ∫ Y μ y d ν ( y ) .
Since the measure ν \nu ν is G G G -invariant, we have for every g ∈ G g\in G g ∈ G that
g ∗ μ = ∫ Y λ g y d ν ( y ) = ∫ Y λ y d ν ( y ) = μ . g_*\mu=\int_Y\lambda_{gy}\,d\nu(y)=\int_Y\lambda_y\,d\nu(y)=\mu. g ∗ μ = ∫ Y λ g y d ν ( y ) = ∫ Y λ y d ν ( y ) = μ .
So that the measure μ \mu μ is G G G -invariant. Its projection to Y Y Y is p ∗ μ = ∫ Y δ y d ν ( y ) = ν p_*\mu=\int_Y\delta_y\,d\nu(y)=\nu p ∗ μ = ∫ Y δ y d ν ( y ) = ν , as required. □
In particular, in the setting of Theorem 7.13, the unique ergodicity of the action of G G G on X X X implies the same for its action on Y Y Y .
Proof of Theorem 7.12. The S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) -action on X = X k , ℓ X=X^{k,\ell} X = X k , ℓ is uniquely ergodic by Theorem 1.3 . The fiber of the natural projection map X k , ℓ → Gr k ( V ) × Gr ℓ ( V ^ ) X^{k,\ell}\to\operatorname{Gr}_k(V)\times\operatorname{Gr}_{\ell}(\widehat{V}) X k , ℓ → Gr k ( V ) × Gr ℓ ( V ) is finite, hence compact. We may apply Theorem 7.13 in this situation to deduce that Y = Gr k ( V ) × Gr ℓ ( V ^ ) Y=\operatorname{Gr}_k(V)\times\operatorname{Gr}_{\ell}(\widehat{V}) Y = Gr k ( V ) × Gr ℓ ( V ) is uniquely ergodic. The desired conclusion follows. □
Invariant random subgroups of S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) and G L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q )
Fix a prime power q q q . We are now in a position to finish the classification of the invariant random subgroups of the group S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) . The additional case of the group G L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) will come as a corollary.
Invariant random subgroups of S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q )
Recall that V = ∏ n ∈ N F q V=\prod_{n\in\mathbb{N}}\mathbb{F}_q V = ∏ n ∈ N F q is equipped with the standard action of G L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) , and V ^ = V \widehat{V}=V V = V is equipped with the dual action of the same group. For each k , ℓ ∈ N 0 k,\ell\in\mathbb{N}_0 k , ℓ ∈ N 0 we consider the product space V k , ℓ = V k × V ^ ℓ V^{k,\ell}=V^k\times\widehat{V}^{\ell} V k , ℓ = V k × V ℓ as a compact abelian group with G L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) -invariant Haar probability measure denoted Haar k , ℓ \operatorname{Haar}^{k,\ell} Haar k , ℓ . The invariant random subgroup μ k , ℓ ∈ IRS ( S L ∞ ( F q ) ) \mu_{k,\ell}\in\operatorname{IRS}(\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) μ k , ℓ ∈ IRS ( SL ∞ ( F q )) is defined to be the pushforward of the measure Haar k , ℓ \operatorname{Haar}^{k,\ell} Haar k , ℓ under the stabilizer map Stab S L ∞ ( F q ) : V k , ℓ → Sub ( S L ∞ ( F q ) ) \operatorname{Stab}_{\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)}:V^{k,\ell}\to\operatorname{Sub}(\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) Stab SL ∞ ( F q ) : V k , ℓ → Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) . In addition, we define μ ∞ = δ { I } \mu_{\infty}=\delta_{\{I\}} μ ∞ = δ { I } .
In this section we calculate the Vershik trace of the invariant random subgroup μ k , ℓ \mu_{k,\ell} μ k , ℓ and characterize the topology of the space of all such measures. After that, we use the previous sections to show that any ergodic invariant random subgroups of S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) is either μ k , ℓ \mu_{k,\ell} μ k , ℓ or μ ∞ \mu_{\infty} μ ∞ . Note that μ k , ℓ \mu_{k,\ell} μ k , ℓ is ergodic, being the pushforward of the ergodic measure Haar k , ℓ \operatorname{Haar}^{k,\ell} Haar k , ℓ under an S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) -equivariant map.
Topology and Vershik traces of the μ k , ℓ \mu_{k,\ell} μ k , ℓ
By Skudlarek’s theorem (Theorem 1.5) the characters of the group S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) are
Ch ( S L ∞ ( F q ) ) = { χ r : r ∈ N 0 } ∪ { χ ∞ } . \operatorname{Ch}(\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q))=\{\chi_r:r\in\mathbb{N}_0\}\cup\{\chi_{\infty}\}. Ch ( SL ∞ ( F q )) = { χ r : r ∈ N 0 } ∪ { χ ∞ } .
where for each r ∈ N 0 r\in\mathbb{N}_0 r ∈ N 0 and all g ∈ S L ∞ ( F q ) g\in\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) g ∈ SL ∞ ( F q )
χ r ( g ) = q − r ⋅ rk g = q − r ⋅ rk ( g − I ) \chi_r(g)=q^{-r\cdot\operatorname{rk}g}=q^{-r\cdot\operatorname{rk}(g-I)} χ r ( g ) = q − r ⋅ rk g = q − r ⋅ rk ( g − I )
and χ ∞ = δ I \chi_{\infty}=\delta_I χ ∞ = δ I .
Proposition 8.1. For each k , ℓ ∈ N 0 k,\ell\in\mathbb{N}_0 k , ℓ ∈ N 0 the Vershik trace of the measure μ k , ℓ \mu_{k,\ell} μ k , ℓ is the character χ k + ℓ \chi_{k+\ell} χ k + ℓ .
Proof. Fix k , ℓ ∈ N 0 k,\ell\in\mathbb{N}_0 k , ℓ ∈ N 0 . Let g ∈ S L ∞ ( F q ) g\in\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) g ∈ SL ∞ ( F q ) be any element. Write
F g = { H ∈ Sub ( S L ∞ ( F q ) ) : g ∈ H } . F_g=\{H\in\operatorname{Sub}(\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)):g\in H\}. F g = { H ∈ Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) : g ∈ H } .
Choose a point ( v 1 , … , v k , φ 1 , … , φ ℓ ) ∈ V k , ℓ (v^1,\ldots,v^k,\varphi^1,\ldots,\varphi^\ell)\in V^{k,\ell} ( v 1 , … , v k , φ 1 , … , φ ℓ ) ∈ V k , ℓ uniformly at random. The value μ ( F g ) \mu(F_g) μ ( F g ) is the probability that g g g stabilizes the vectors v i v^i v i and functionals φ j \varphi^j φ j . Note that the condition g v i = v i gv^i=v^i g v i = v i is equivalent to v i ∈ ker ( g − I ) v^i\in\ker(g-I) v i ∈ ker ( g − I ) for each i i i . This happens with probability
q − codim V ( ker ( g − I ) ) = q − rk ( g − I ) . q^{-\operatorname{codim}_V(\ker(g-I))}=q^{-\operatorname{rk}(g-I)}. q − codim V ( k e r ( g − I )) = q − rk ( g − I ) .
The condition ( g − 1 ) t φ j = φ j (g^{-1})^t\varphi^j=\varphi^j ( g − 1 ) t φ j = φ j is equivalent to g t φ j = φ j g^t\varphi^j=\varphi^j g t φ j = φ j for each j j j . This has probability
q − rk ( g t − I ) = q − rk ( g − I ) . q^{-\operatorname{rk}(g^t-I)}=q^{-\operatorname{rk}(g-I)}. q − rk ( g t − I ) = q − rk ( g − I ) .
Overall, we get
χ μ k , ℓ ( g ) = μ k , ℓ ( F g ) = q − ( k + ℓ ) ⋅ rk ~ g = χ k + ℓ ( g ) (25) \chi_{\mu_{k,\ell}}(g)=\mu_{k,\ell}(F_g)=q^{-(k+\ell)\cdot\widetilde{\operatorname{rk}}g}=\chi_{k+\ell}(g) \tag*{(25)} χ μ k , ℓ ( g ) = μ k , ℓ ( F g ) = q − ( k + ℓ ) ⋅ rk g = χ k + ℓ ( g ) (25)
as required. □
Consider the subset M = { μ k , ℓ : k , ℓ ∈ N 0 } ∪ { μ ∞ } ⊆ IRS ( SL ∞ ( F q ) ) M=\{\mu_{k,\ell}:k,\ell\in\mathbb{N}_0\}\cup\{\mu_\infty\}\subseteq\operatorname{IRS}(\operatorname{SL}_\infty(\mathbb{F}_q)) M = { μ k , ℓ : k , ℓ ∈ N 0 } ∪ { μ ∞ } ⊆ IRS ( SL ∞ ( F q )) endowed with the weak-* topology. In Theorem 1.1 it will be established that M = Extr ( IRS ( SL ∞ ( F q ) ) ) M=\operatorname{Extr}(\operatorname{IRS}(\operatorname{SL}_\infty(\mathbb{F}_q))) M = Extr ( IRS ( SL ∞ ( F q ))) .
Proposition 8.2. Let X = ( N 0 × N 0 ) ∪ { ∞ } X=(\mathbb{N}_0\times\mathbb{N}_0)\cup\{\infty\} X = ( N 0 × N 0 ) ∪ { ∞ } be the one-point compactification of N 0 × N 0 \mathbb{N}_0\times\mathbb{N}_0 N 0 × N 0 . The natural map X → M X\to M X → M sending ( k , ℓ ) (k,\ell) ( k , ℓ ) to μ k , ℓ \mu_{k,\ell} μ k , ℓ and ∞ \infty ∞ to μ ∞ \mu_\infty μ ∞ is a homeomorphism.
Proof. Denote by h : X → M h:X\to M h : X → M the map in the statement. Recall that E i j E_{ij} E ij are the elementary matrices in SL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{SL}_\infty(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) . One can check directly that
codim V ( ker ( E 21 − I ) ∩ ker ( E 23 − I ) ) = 2 and codim V ( ker ( E 12 ) − I ) ∩ ker ( E 32 − I ) ) = 1. \operatorname{codim}_V(\ker(E_{21}-I)\cap\ker(E_{23}-I))=2\quad\text{and}\quad\operatorname{codim}_V(\ker(E_{12})-I)\cap\ker(E_{32}-I))=1. codim V ( ker ( E 21 − I ) ∩ ker ( E 23 − I )) = 2 and codim V ( ker ( E 12 ) − I ) ∩ ker ( E 32 − I )) = 1.
We denote F g = { H ∈ Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q ) ) : g ∈ H } F_g=\{H\in\operatorname{Sub}(\operatorname{SL}_\infty(\mathbb{F}_q)):g\in H\} F g = { H ∈ Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) : g ∈ H } for each element g ∈ SL ∞ ( F q ) g\in\operatorname{SL}_\infty(\mathbb{F}_q) g ∈ SL ∞ ( F q ) . The computation in the proof of Theorem 8.1 shows that
μ k , ℓ ( F t 1 ∩ F t 2 ) = q − ( 2 k + ℓ ) . (26) \mu_{k,\ell}(F_{t_1}\cap F_{t_2})=q^{-(2k+\ell)}. \tag*{(26)} μ k , ℓ ( F t 1 ∩ F t 2 ) = q − ( 2 k + ℓ ) . (26)
The two equations (25) and (26) together show that the two parameters k k k and ℓ \ell ℓ are determined by the measure μ k , ℓ \mu_{k,\ell} μ k , ℓ . Hence the map h h h is injective.
To show that the map h h h is continuous it remains to prove that μ ∞ = lim ( k , ℓ ) → ∞ μ k , ℓ \mu_\infty=\lim_{(k,\ell)\to\infty}\mu_{k,\ell} μ ∞ = lim ( k , ℓ ) → ∞ μ k , ℓ . By the Portmanteau theorem [3 Theorem 2.1] it will suffice to show that all open subsets U ⊆ Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q ) ) U\subseteq\operatorname{Sub}(\operatorname{SL}_\infty(\mathbb{F}_q)) U ⊆ Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) satisfy
lim inf ( k , ℓ ) → ∞ μ k , ℓ ( U ) ≥ μ ∞ ( U ) . \liminf_{(k,\ell)\to\infty}\mu_{k,\ell}(U)\geq\mu_\infty(U). ( k , ℓ ) → ∞ lim inf μ k , ℓ ( U ) ≥ μ ∞ ( U ) .
If { I } ∉ U \{I\}\notin U { I } ∈ / U then this inequality holds trivially. Otherwise, there exist some elements g 1 , … , g m ∈ SL ∞ ( F q ) ∖ { I } g_1,\ldots,g_m\in\operatorname{SL}_\infty(\mathbb{F}_q)\setminus\{I\} g 1 , … , g m ∈ SL ∞ ( F q ) ∖ { I } such that F g 1 c ∩ ⋯ ∩ F g m c ⊆ U F_{g_1}^c\cap\cdots\cap F_{g_m}^c\subseteq U F g 1 c ∩ ⋯ ∩ F g m c ⊆ U . In this case
1 − μ k , ℓ ( U ) ≤ μ k , ℓ ( ( F g 1 c ∩ ⋯ ∩ F g m c ) c ) = μ k , ℓ ( ⋃ i = 1 m F g i ) ≤ ≤ ∑ i = 1 m μ k , ℓ ( F g i ) = ∑ i = 1 m q − ( k + ℓ ) rk g i → ( k , ℓ ) → ∞ 0 \begin{aligned}
1-\mu_{k,\ell}(U)\leq\mu_{k,\ell}\left((F_{g_1}^c\cap\cdots\cap F_{g_m}^c)^c\right)=\mu_{k,\ell}\left(\bigcup_{i=1}^{m}F_{g_i}\right)\leq\\
&\leq\sum_{i=1}^{m}\mu_{k,\ell}(F_{g_i})=\sum_{i=1}^{m}q^{-(k+\ell)\operatorname{rk}g_i}\xrightarrow[(k,\ell)\to\infty]{}0
\end{aligned} 1 − μ k , ℓ ( U ) ≤ μ k , ℓ ( ( F g 1 c ∩ ⋯ ∩ F g m c ) c ) = μ k , ℓ ( i = 1 ⋃ m F g i ) ≤ ≤ i = 1 ∑ m μ k , ℓ ( F g i ) = i = 1 ∑ m q − ( k + ℓ ) rk g i ( k , ℓ ) → ∞ 0
as required. We conclude that h h h is a continuous bijection. Since X X X is compact and M M M is Hausdorff h h h is a homeomorphism. □
Remark 8.3. Once Theorem 1.1 is established, we will deduce that the Vershik trace map IRS ( SL ∞ ( F q ) ) → Tr ( SL ∞ ( F q ) ) \operatorname{IRS}(\operatorname{SL}_\infty(\mathbb{F}_q))\to\operatorname{Tr}(\operatorname{SL}_\infty(\mathbb{F}_q)) IRS ( SL ∞ ( F q )) → Tr ( SL ∞ ( F q )) (Theorem 4.3) sends extreme points to extreme points. It is surjective and not injective, although it is finite-to-one on the extreme points.
Classification of invariant random subgroups of S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q )
Let μ \mu μ be a non-trivial ergodic invariant random subgroup of S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) . Let r = r ( μ ) r=r(\mu) r = r ( μ ) be the degree of μ \mu μ .
In Section 6 we have defined for any μ \mu μ -generic subgroup H H H its associated set of colors Col ( H ) \operatorname{Col}(H) Col ( H ) such that ∣ Col ( H ) ∣ = q r \lvert\operatorname{Col}(H)\rvert=q^r ∣ Col ( H )∣ = q r . Here and in the following, a μ \mu μ -generic subgroup means one that satisfies the conclusions of Propositions 6.17 and 6.19 .
Further, we have defined a local and permutational (Theorem 3.1) action of the group G L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) on the set of color vectors Col ( H ) N \operatorname{Col}(H)^{\mathbb{N}} Col ( H ) N . This action satisfies the assumptions of Theorem 3.2 . Hence there are k , ℓ ∈ N 0 k,\ell\in\mathbb{N}_0 k , ℓ ∈ N 0 with k + ℓ = r k+\ell=r k + ℓ = r such that this G L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) -action is equivariantly isomorphic to the action of G L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) on the space V k , ℓ V^{k,\ell} V k , ℓ . By the ergodicity of the measure μ \mu μ , the quantities k k k and ℓ \ell ℓ associated to the subgroup H H H are μ \mu μ -a.s. constant.
Let Π \Pi Π be the finite group of permutations ϖ : F q r → F q r \varpi:\mathbb{F}_q^r\to\mathbb{F}_q^r ϖ : F q r → F q r such that the product map ϖ N : V k , ℓ → V k , ℓ \varpi^{\mathbb{N}}:V^{k,\ell}\to V^{k,\ell} ϖ N : V k , ℓ → V k , ℓ is an isomorphism of G L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) -actions. The group Π \Pi Π is isomorphic to the direct product G L k ( F q ) × G L ℓ ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_k(\mathbb{F}_q)\times\mathrm{GL}_{\ell}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL k ( F q ) × GL ℓ ( F q ) , acting on the finite-dimensional vector space F q r = F q k × F q ℓ \mathbb{F}_q^r=\mathbb{F}_q^k\times\mathbb{F}_q^\ell F q r = F q k × F q ℓ by the product of the dual action and the standard action.
For each μ \mu μ -generic subgroup H H H denote by Π H \Pi_H Π H the finite set of bijections π : Col ( H ) → F q k × F q ℓ = F q r \pi:\operatorname{Col}(H)\to\mathbb{F}_q^k\times\mathbb{F}_q^\ell=\mathbb{F}_q^r π : Col ( H ) → F q k × F q ℓ = F q r such that π N : Col ( H ) N → V k , ℓ \pi^{\mathbb{N}}:\operatorname{Col}(H)^{\mathbb{N}}\to V^{k,\ell} π N : Col ( H ) N → V k , ℓ is an isomorphism of G L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) -actions. It is a consequence of Theorem 3.2 that Π H \Pi_H Π H is non-empty. The finite group Π \Pi Π admits a right action on Π H \Pi_H Π H by composition. This action is simply transitive and hence ∣ Π H ∣ = ∣ Π ∣ \lvert\Pi_H\rvert=\lvert\Pi\rvert ∣ Π H ∣ = ∣ Π ∣ . In particular the cardinality of Π H \Pi_H Π H does not depend on H H H .
We denote by Sub ^ ( S L ∞ ( F q ) ) \widehat{\operatorname{Sub}}(\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) the measurable principal Π \Pi Π -bundle over Sub ( S L ∞ ( F q ) ) \operatorname{Sub}(\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) whose fiber over each μ \mu μ -generic subgroup H H H is the set Π H \Pi_H Π H . The action of the finite group Π \Pi Π on each set Π H \Pi_H Π H extends to a measurable fiberwise action on Sub ^ ( S L ∞ ( F q ) ) \widehat{\operatorname{Sub}}(\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) . The space Sub ^ ( S L ∞ ( F q ) ) \widehat{\operatorname{Sub}}(\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) carries the probability measure μ ^ \widehat{\mu} μ , induced by the measure μ \mu μ on the base and by the uniform probability measures on the fibers. Let p : Sub ^ ( S L ∞ ( F q ) ) → Sub ( S L ∞ ( F q ) ) p:\widehat{\operatorname{Sub}}(\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q))\to\operatorname{Sub}(\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) p : Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) → Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) denote the projection.
The action of the group S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) on the Chabauty space Sub ( S L ∞ ( F q ) ) \operatorname{Sub}(\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) can be lifted to a measurable action on the bundle Sub ^ ( S L ∞ ( F q ) ) \widehat{\operatorname{Sub}}(\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) preserving the measure μ ^ \widehat{\mu} μ . Namely, let g ∈ S L ∞ ( F q ) g\in\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) g ∈ SL ∞ ( F q ) be an element and ( H , π ) ∈ Sub ^ ( S L ∞ ( F q ) ) (H,\pi)\in\widehat{\operatorname{Sub}}(\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) ( H , π ) ∈ Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) be a point of the bundle, where H H H is a μ \mu μ -generic subgroup and π ∈ Π H \pi\in\Pi_H π ∈ Π H is a bijection. Recall from Section 6 that the colors of g H g − 1 gHg^{-1} g H g − 1 can be naturally identified with the colors of H H H . This allows us define the action of the element g g g by g ⋅ ( H , π ) = ( g H g − 1 , π ′ ) g\cdot(H,\pi)=(gHg^{-1},\pi') g ⋅ ( H , π ) = ( g H g − 1 , π ′ ) where π ′ : Col ( g H g − 1 ) ≅ Col ( H ) → π F q r \pi':\operatorname{Col}(gHg^{-1})\cong\operatorname{Col}(H)\xrightarrow{\pi}\mathbb{F}_q^r π ′ : Col ( g H g − 1 ) ≅ Col ( H ) π F q r is the composition of this color identification with the bijection π \pi π .
Consider the μ ^ \widehat{\mu} μ -measurable fixed point map F P : Sub ^ ( S L ∞ ( F q ) ) → V k , ℓ \mathrm{FP}:\widehat{\operatorname{Sub}}(\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q))\to V^{k,\ell} FP : Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) → V k , ℓ defined as follows. For each point of the bundle consisting of a μ \mu μ -generic subgroup H H H and a bijection π ∈ Π H \pi\in\Pi_H π ∈ Π H let
F P ( H , π ) = π N ( color e ( H ) ) . \mathrm{FP}(H,\pi)=\pi^{\mathbb{N}}(\operatorname{color}_e(H)). FP ( H , π ) = π N ( color e ( H )) .
Recall that color e ( H ) \operatorname{color}_e(H) color e ( H ) is the color vector of H H H in the standard basis e e e . We will see in the course of the proof of Theorem 1.1 that the map F P \mathrm{FP} FP selects a fixed point of H H H in its action on V k , ℓ V^{k,\ell} V k , ℓ (hence its name). The next proposition is a corollary of our measure classification result Theorem 1.3 .
Proposition 8.4. Consider the diagram
( Sub ^ ( S L ∞ ( F q ) ) , μ ^ ) → F P ( V k , ℓ , Haar k , ℓ ) p ↓ ( Sub ( S L ∞ ( F q ) ) , μ ) \begin{CD}
(\widehat{\operatorname{Sub}}(\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)),\widehat{\mu}) @>{\mathrm{FP}}>> (V^{k,\ell},\operatorname{Haar}^{k,\ell}) \\
@V{p}VV \\
(\operatorname{Sub}(\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)),\mu)
\end{CD} ( Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) , μ ) p ↓ ⏐ ( Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) , μ ) FP ( V k , ℓ , Haar k , ℓ ) The two maps are S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) -equivariant. We have p ∗ μ ^ = μ p_*\widehat{\mu}=\mu p ∗ μ = μ and F P ∗ μ ^ = Haar k , ℓ \mathrm{FP}_*\widehat{\mu}=\operatorname{Haar}^{k,\ell} FP ∗ μ = Haar k , ℓ .
Proof. Both statements for the map p p p follow directly from its definition. We study the map FP. Let g ∈ S L ∞ ( F q ) g \in\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) g ∈ SL ∞ ( F q ) be any element. Let ( H , π ) ∈ Sub ( S L ∞ ( F q ) ) (H,\pi) \in\operatorname{Sub}(\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) ( H , π ) ∈ Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) be a point of the bundle, where H H H is a μ \mu μ -generic subgroup and π ∈ Π H \pi\in\Pi_H π ∈ Π H is a bijection. We have
g ⋅ F P ( H , π ) = g ⋅ π N ( color e ( H ) ) = π N ( Θ H ( g ) color e ( H ) ) = π N ( color e ( g H g − 1 ) ) = F P ( g ⋅ ( H , π ) ) . \begin{aligned}
g \cdot\mathrm{FP}(H,\pi)=g\cdot\pi^{\mathbb{N}}(\operatorname{color}_e(H))=\pi^{\mathbb{N}}(\Theta_H(g)\operatorname{color}_e(H))=\pi^{\mathbb{N}}(\operatorname{color}_e(gHg^{-1})) \\
&=\mathrm{FP}(g\cdot(H,\pi)).
\end{aligned} g ⋅ FP ( H , π ) = g ⋅ π N ( color e ( H )) = π N ( Θ H ( g ) color e ( H )) = π N ( color e ( g H g − 1 )) = FP ( g ⋅ ( H , π )) .
The third equality in the above uses Theorem 6.18. This shows that the map FP is S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) -equivariant.
The last step of the proof is to calculate the pushforward measure F P ∗ μ ^ \mathrm{FP}_*\widehat{\mu} FP ∗ μ . Notice that μ \mu μ -almost surely, every color of H H H appears in the color vector color e ( H ) \operatorname{color}_e(H) color e ( H ) , that is { color e ( H ) i : i ∈ N } = Col ( H ) \{\operatorname{color}_e(H)_i:i\in\mathbb{N}\}=\operatorname{Col}(H) { color e ( H ) i : i ∈ N } = Col ( H ) . In particular, μ ^ \widehat{\mu} μ -almost surely the bijection π ∈ Π H \pi\in\Pi_H π ∈ Π H is such that the tuple π N ( color e ( H ) ) ∈ V k , ℓ \pi^{\mathbb{N}}(\operatorname{color}_e(H))\in V^{k,\ell} π N ( color e ( H )) ∈ V k , ℓ is linearly independent, i.e. it lands in the subset X k , ℓ ⊆ V k , ℓ X^{k,\ell}\subseteq V^{k,\ell} X k , ℓ ⊆ V k , ℓ . So the probability measure F P ∗ μ ^ \mathrm{FP}_*\widehat{\mu} FP ∗ μ is supported on X k , ℓ X^{k,\ell} X k , ℓ and S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) -invariant. We obtain F P ∗ μ ^ = H a a r k , ℓ \mathrm{FP}_*\widehat{\mu}=\mathrm{Haar}^{k,\ell} FP ∗ μ = Haar k , ℓ by Theorem 1.3 . □ \square □
We now prove our main result.
Proof of Theorem 1.1 . To ease our notations, we write G = S L ∞ ( F q ) G=\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) G = SL ∞ ( F q ) throughout this proof. Let μ ∈ IRS ( G ) \mu\in\operatorname{IRS}(G) μ ∈ IRS ( G ) be a non-trivial ergodic invariant random subgroup. We will show that the following diagram commutes almost surely.
( Sub ^ ( G ) , μ ^ ) → F P ( V k , ℓ , H a a r k , ℓ ) p ↓ ↓ ( Sub ( G ) , μ ) → N G ( Sub ( G ) , μ ) \begin{CD}
(\widehat{\operatorname{Sub}}(G),\widehat{\mu}) @>{\mathrm{FP}}>> (V^{k,\ell},\mathrm{Haar}^{k,\ell}) \\
@V{p}VV @VVV \\
(\operatorname{Sub}(G),\mu) @>{N_G}>> (\operatorname{Sub}(G),\mu)
\end{CD} ( Sub ( G ) , μ ) p ↓ ⏐ ( Sub ( G ) , μ ) FP N G ( V k , ℓ , Haar k , ℓ ) ↓ ⏐ ( Sub ( G ) , μ )
The objects appearing in the diagram (and in particular the indices k , ℓ ∈ N 0 k,\ell\in\mathbb{N}_0 k , ℓ ∈ N 0 ) have all been introduced in course of the above discussion. The two unlabeled arrows are stabilizer maps, and N G N_G N G is the normalizer map. We need to show the following three statements a.s: (1) N G ( H ) = H N_G(H)=H N G ( H ) = H , (2) N G ∘ p = Stab G N_G\circ p=\operatorname{Stab}_G N G ∘ p = Stab G , and (3) Stab G ∘ F P = Stab G \operatorname{Stab}_G\circ\mathrm{FP}=\operatorname{Stab}_G Stab G ∘ FP = Stab G .
Let us take into account the following elementary Theorem 8.5 with respect to the space Y = Sub ( G ) Y=\operatorname{Sub}(G) Y = Sub ( G ) and the collection E = { F g : g ∈ G } \mathcal{E}=\{F_g:g\in G\} E = { F g : g ∈ G } , where F g = { H ∈ Sub ( G ) : g ∈ H } F_g=\{H\in\operatorname{Sub}(G):g\in H\} F g = { H ∈ Sub ( G ) : g ∈ H } . Hence, the above three statements respectively are equivalent to showing for each element g ∈ G g\in G g ∈ G that (1′) { H ∈ Sub ( G ) : g ∈ N G ( H ) } = { H ∈ Sub ( G ) : g ∈ H } \{H\in\operatorname{Sub}(G):g\in N_G(H)\}=\{H\in\operatorname{Sub}(G):g\in H\} { H ∈ Sub ( G ) : g ∈ N G ( H )} = { H ∈ Sub ( G ) : g ∈ H } , (2′) { ( H , π ) ∈ Sub ^ ( G ) : g ∈ N G ( H ) } = { ( H , π ) ∈ Sub ^ ( G ) : g ∈ Stab G ( H , π ) } \{(H,\pi)\in\widehat{\operatorname{Sub}}(G):g\in N_G(H)\}=\{(H,\pi)\in\widehat{\operatorname{Sub}}(G):g\in\operatorname{Stab}_G(H,\pi)\} {( H , π ) ∈ Sub ( G ) : g ∈ N G ( H )} = {( H , π ) ∈ Sub ( G ) : g ∈ Stab G ( H , π )} , and (3′) { ( H , π ) ∈ Sub ^ ( G ) : g ∈ Stab G ( F P ( H , π ) ) } = { ( H , π ) ∈ Sub ^ ( G ) : g ∈ Stab G ( H , π ) } \{(H,\pi)\in\widehat{\operatorname{Sub}}(G):g\in\operatorname{Stab}_G(\mathrm{FP}(H,\pi))\}=\{(H,\pi)\in\widehat{\operatorname{Sub}}(G):g\in\operatorname{Stab}_G(H,\pi)\} {( H , π ) ∈ Sub ( G ) : g ∈ Stab G ( FP ( H , π ))} = {( H , π ) ∈ Sub ( G ) : g ∈ Stab G ( H , π )} up to μ \mu μ -null sets. Notice that containment in the direction ⊇ \supseteq ⊇ clearly holds in all three statements. So it will suffice to show in each case that the two events have the same measure. Notice that g g g stabilizes ( H , π ) (H,\pi) ( H , π ) if and only if it stabilizes H = p ( H , π ) H=p(H,\pi) H = p ( H , π ) , i.e. g ∈ N G ( H ) g\in N_G(H) g ∈ N G ( H ) . This shows (2′). We will show the other two statements simultaneously. Indeed, we have
q − r ⋅ rk g = Haar k , ℓ ( { v ∈ V k , ℓ : g ∈ Stab G ( v ) } ) = μ ^ ( { ( H , π ) ∈ Sub ^ ( G ) : g ∈ Stab G ( F P ( H , π ) ) } ) ≥ μ ^ ( { ( H , π ) ∈ Sub ^ ( G ) : g ∈ Stab G ( H , π ) } ) = μ ^ ( { ( H , π ) ∈ Sub ^ ( G ) : g ∈ N G ( H ) } ) = μ ( { H ∈ Sub ( G ) : g ∈ N G ( H ) } ) ≥ μ ( { H ∈ Sub ( G ) : g ∈ H } ) = q − r ⋅ rk g . \begin{aligned}
q^{-r\cdot\operatorname{rk}g}=\operatorname{Haar}^{k,\ell}\bigl(\{v\in V^{k,\ell}:g\in\operatorname{Stab}_G(v)\}\bigr)=\widehat{\mu}\bigl(\{(H,\pi)\in\widehat{\operatorname{Sub}}(G):g\in\operatorname{Stab}_G(\mathrm{FP}(H,\pi))\}\bigr) \\
&\geq\widehat{\mu}\bigl(\{(H,\pi)\in\widehat{\operatorname{Sub}}(G):g\in\operatorname{Stab}_G(H,\pi)\}\bigr)=\widehat{\mu}\bigl(\{(H,\pi)\in\widehat{\operatorname{Sub}}(G):g\in N_G(H)\}\bigr) \\
&=\mu\bigl(\{H\in\operatorname{Sub}(G):g\in N_G(H)\}\bigr)\geq\mu\bigl(\{H\in\operatorname{Sub}(G):g\in H\}\bigr)=q^{-r\cdot\operatorname{rk}g}.
\end{aligned} q − r ⋅ rk g = Haar k , ℓ ( { v ∈ V k , ℓ : g ∈ Stab G ( v )} ) = μ ( {( H , π ) ∈ Sub ( G ) : g ∈ Stab G ( FP ( H , π ))} ) ≥ μ ( {( H , π ) ∈ Sub ( G ) : g ∈ Stab G ( H , π )} ) = μ ( {( H , π ) ∈ Sub ( G ) : g ∈ N G ( H )} ) = μ ( { H ∈ Sub ( G ) : g ∈ N G ( H )} ) ≥ μ ( { H ∈ Sub ( G ) : g ∈ H } ) = q − r ⋅ rk g .
The first equality follows from Theorem 8.1. The second equality on the first line and the first on the bottom line follow from Theorem 8.4. The last equality follows from Theorem 6.8. Equality must hold throughout. The remaining statements (1′) and (3′) follow and the above diagram commutes. To conclude the proof
μ k , ℓ = ( Stab G ) ∗ Haar k , ℓ = ( Stab G ∘ FP ) ∗ μ ^ = ( Stab G ) ∗ μ ^ = ( N G ∘ p ) ∗ μ ^ = ( N G ) ∗ μ = μ \mu_{k,\ell}=(\operatorname{Stab}_{G})_{*}\operatorname{Haar}^{k,\ell}=(\operatorname{Stab}_{G}\circ\operatorname{FP})_{*}\widehat{\mu}=(\operatorname{Stab}_{G})_{*}\widehat{\mu}=(N_{G}\circ p)_{*}\widehat{\mu}=(N_{G})_{*}\mu=\mu μ k , ℓ = ( Stab G ) ∗ Haar k , ℓ = ( Stab G ∘ FP ) ∗ μ = ( Stab G ) ∗ μ = ( N G ∘ p ) ∗ μ = ( N G ) ∗ μ = μ
as required. □
The following elementary measure theoretic lemma was used in the above proof of Theorem 1.1 .
Lemma 8.5. Let ( X , A X , μ ) (X,\mathcal{A}_{X},\mu) ( X , A X , μ ) be a measure space and ( Y , A Y ) (Y,\mathcal{A}_{Y}) ( Y , A Y ) be a measurable space. Let E ⊆ A Y \mathcal{E}\subseteq\mathcal{A}_{Y} E ⊆ A Y be a countable collection of measurable subsets of Y Y Y which separates points. Let f , g : X → Y f,g:X\to Y f , g : X → Y be two measurable functions such that f − 1 ( E ) = g − 1 ( E ) f^{-1}(E)=g^{-1}(E) f − 1 ( E ) = g − 1 ( E ) up to a μ \mu μ -null set for all E ∈ E E\in\mathcal{E} E ∈ E . Then f f f and g g g are equal μ \mu μ -a.s.
Proof. The statement follows by noting that
μ ( { x ∈ X : f ( x ) ≠ g ( x ) } ) = μ ( ⋃ E ∈ E ( f − 1 ( E ) △ g − 1 ( E ) ) ) ≤ ∑ E ∈ E μ ( f − 1 ( E ) △ g − 1 ( E ) ) = 0 \mu\bigl(\{x\in X:f(x)\ne g(x)\}\bigr)=\mu\left(\bigcup_{E\in\mathcal{E}}\left(f^{-1}(E)\mathbin{\triangle}g^{-1}(E)\right)\right)\leq\sum_{E\in\mathcal{E}}\mu\left(f^{-1}(E)\mathbin{\triangle}g^{-1}(E)\right)=0 μ ( { x ∈ X : f ( x ) = g ( x )} ) = μ ( E ∈ E ⋃ ( f − 1 ( E ) △ g − 1 ( E ) ) ) ≤ E ∈ E ∑ μ ( f − 1 ( E ) △ g − 1 ( E ) ) = 0 where the first equality comes from the hypothesis that E \mathcal{E} E separates points. □
Invariant random subgroups of GL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) GL ∞ ( F q )
We will show that every non-trivial ergodic invariant random subgroup of the group GL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) GL ∞ ( F q ) is of the form
μ k , ℓ K = ( Stab GL ∞ ( F q ) K ) ∗ Haar k , ℓ \mu^{K}_{k,\ell}=\left(\operatorname{Stab}^{K}_{\operatorname{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q})}\right)_{*}\operatorname{Haar}^{k,\ell} μ k , ℓ K = ( Stab GL ∞ ( F q ) K ) ∗ Haar k , ℓ
where k , ℓ ∈ N 0 k,\ell\in\mathbb{N}_{0} k , ℓ ∈ N 0 , K ≤ F q × K\leq\mathbb{F}_{q}^{\times} K ≤ F q × is a subgroup controlling the value of the determinant and Stab GL ∞ ( F q ) K : V k , ℓ → Sub ( GL ∞ ( F q ) ) \operatorname{Stab}^{K}_{\operatorname{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q})}:\mathbb{V}^{k,\ell}\to\operatorname{Sub}(\operatorname{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q})) Stab GL ∞ ( F q ) K : V k , ℓ → Sub ( GL ∞ ( F q )) is the map
Stab GL ∞ ( F q ) K ( x ) = { A ∈ GL ∞ ( F q ) : A ⋅ x = x and det A ∈ K } . \operatorname{Stab}^{K}_{\operatorname{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q})}(x)=\{A\in\operatorname{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q}):A\cdot x=x\ \text{and}\ \det A\in K\}. Stab GL ∞ ( F q ) K ( x ) = { A ∈ GL ∞ ( F q ) : A ⋅ x = x and det A ∈ K } .
As the maps Stab GL ∞ ( F q ) K \operatorname{Stab}^{K}_{\operatorname{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q})} Stab GL ∞ ( F q ) K are GL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) GL ∞ ( F q ) -equivariant, the invariant random subgroups μ k , ℓ K \mu^{K}_{k,\ell} μ k , ℓ K are indeed ergodic.
Topology and Vershik traces of the μ k , ℓ K \mu^{K}_{k,\ell} μ k , ℓ K
We return to a discussion parallel to Section 8.1.1 for the group GL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) GL ∞ ( F q ) . First, we state Skudlarek’s classification of the characters of GL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) GL ∞ ( F q ) . Let F q × ^ \widehat{\mathbb{F}_{q}^{\times}} F q × denote the Pontryagin dual group of the multiplicative group F q × \mathbb{F}_{q}^{\times} F q × . For each character τ ∈ F q × ^ \tau\in\widehat{\mathbb{F}_{q}^{\times}} τ ∈ F q × and each r ∈ N 0 r\in\mathbb{N}_{0} r ∈ N 0 , we define a map χ r τ : GL ∞ ( F q ) → C \chi^{\tau}_{r}:\operatorname{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q})\to\mathbb{C} χ r τ : GL ∞ ( F q ) → C by
χ r τ ( g ) = τ ( det g ) ⋅ q − r ⋅ rk ~ g , \chi^{\tau}_{r}(g)=\tau(\det g)\cdot q^{-r\cdot\widetilde{\operatorname{rk}}g}, χ r τ ( g ) = τ ( det g ) ⋅ q − r ⋅ rk g ,
where rk ~ g = rk ( g − I ) \widetilde{\operatorname{rk}}g=\operatorname{rk}(g-I) rk g = rk ( g − I ) as usual. In addition, we define χ ∞ = δ I \chi_{\infty}=\delta_{I} χ ∞ = δ I .
Theorem 8.6 [27 ] . The characters of the finitary general linear group GL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) GL ∞ ( F q ) are
Ch ( GL ∞ ( F q ) ) = { χ r τ : r ∈ N 0 , τ ∈ F q × ^ } ∪ { χ ∞ } . \operatorname{Ch}(\operatorname{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q}))=\left\{\chi^{\tau}_{r}:r\in\mathbb{N}_{0},\ \tau\in\widehat{\mathbb{F}_{q}^{\times}}\right\}\cup\{\chi_{\infty}\}. Ch ( GL ∞ ( F q )) = { χ r τ : r ∈ N 0 , τ ∈ F q × } ∪ { χ ∞ } .
Given a subgroup K ≤ F q × K\leq\mathbb{F}_{q}^{\times} K ≤ F q × there is a natural identification of the quotient group F q × ^ / K \widehat{\mathbb{F}_{q}^{\times}}/K F q × / K with the set of unitary of F q × \mathbb{F}_{q}^{\times} F q × which take the value 1 1 1 on K K K . The analogous statement to Theorem 8.1 in the present setting is the following.
Proposition 8.7. Fix k , ℓ ∈ N 0 k,\ell\in\mathbb{N}_0 k , ℓ ∈ N 0 and a subgroup K ≤ F q × K \leq\mathbb{F}_q^\times K ≤ F q × . The Vershik trace of the invariant random subgroup μ k , ℓ K \mu^K_{k,\ell} μ k , ℓ K is
χ μ k , ℓ K ( g ) = ∣ K ∣ q − 1 ∑ τ ∈ F q × / K χ k , ℓ τ ( g ) = { q − ( k + ℓ ) ⋅ rk ~ g det g ∈ K 0 det g ∉ K \chi_{\mu^K_{k,\ell}}(g)=\frac{|K|}{q-1}\sum_{\tau\in\mathbb{F}_q^\times/K}\chi^\tau_{k,\ell}(g)=
\begin{cases}
q^{-(k+\ell)\cdot\widetilde{\operatorname{rk}}g} & \det g\in K\\
0 & \det g\notin K
\end{cases} χ μ k , ℓ K ( g ) = q − 1 ∣ K ∣ τ ∈ F q × / K ∑ χ k , ℓ τ ( g ) = { q − ( k + ℓ ) ⋅ rk g 0 det g ∈ K det g ∈ / K for all g ∈ G g \in G g ∈ G .
Proof. If det g ∉ K \det g\notin K det g ∈ / K then μ k , ℓ K ( { H : g ∈ H } ) = 0 \mu^K_{k,\ell}(\{H:g\in H\})=0 μ k , ℓ K ({ H : g ∈ H }) = 0 . If det g ∈ K \det g\in K det g ∈ K then the calculation which establishes the formula on the right-hand side is the same as the calculation in the proof of Theorem 8.1. The formula involving the summation over all unitary characters τ ∈ F q × / K \tau\in\mathbb{F}_q^\times/K τ ∈ F q × / K is equivalent (by means of standard harmonic analysis).
Unlike the case of the group SL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) , the Vershik trace map tr : IRS ( GL ∞ ( F q ) ) → Tr ( GL ∞ ( F q ) ) \operatorname{tr}:\operatorname{IRS}(\operatorname{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q))\to\operatorname{Tr}(\operatorname{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) tr : IRS ( GL ∞ ( F q )) → Tr ( GL ∞ ( F q )) does not take extreme points to extreme points in general. This result should also be compared with Thomas’s calculation of the Vershik trace of the invariant random subgroups of A ∞ A_{\infty} A ∞ (Theorem 4.6).
The topology of the space M GL = { μ k , ℓ K : k , ℓ ∈ N 0 , K ≤ F q × } ∪ { μ ∞ } M_{\operatorname{GL}}=\{\mu^K_{k,\ell}:k,\ell\in\mathbb{N}_0,\ K\leq\mathbb{F}_q^\times\}\cup\{\mu_\infty\} M GL = { μ k , ℓ K : k , ℓ ∈ N 0 , K ≤ F q × } ∪ { μ ∞ } is described in the following result. Once Theorem 1.2 is established, it will follow from it that M GL M_{\operatorname{GL}} M GL is the space of ergodic invariant random subgroups of GL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) .
Proposition 8.8. Let X = ( N 0 × N 0 × Sub ( F q × ) ) ∪ { ∞ } X=(\mathbb{N}_0\times\mathbb{N}_0\times\operatorname{Sub}(\mathbb{F}_q^\times))\cup\{\infty\} X = ( N 0 × N 0 × Sub ( F q × )) ∪ { ∞ } be the one-point compactification of the space N 0 × N 0 × Sub ( F q × ) \mathbb{N}_0\times\mathbb{N}_0\times\operatorname{Sub}(\mathbb{F}_q^\times) N 0 × N 0 × Sub ( F q × ) . The map X → M GL X\to M_{\operatorname{GL}} X → M GL sending ( k , ℓ , K ) (k,\ell,K) ( k , ℓ , K ) to μ k , ℓ K \mu^K_{k,\ell} μ k , ℓ K and ∞ \infty ∞ to μ ∞ \mu_\infty μ ∞ is a homeomorphism.
Proof. The proof is entirely analogous to that of Theorem 8.2.
Classification of invariant random subgroups of GL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q )
We will need a basic linear-algebraic property of the product action on the space V k , ℓ V^{k,\ell} V k , ℓ .
Lemma 8.9. Fix k , ℓ ∈ N 0 k,\ell\in\mathbb{N}_0 k , ℓ ∈ N 0 . Let x = ( v , φ ) ∈ V k , ℓ x=(v,\varphi)\in V^{k,\ell} x = ( v , φ ) ∈ V k , ℓ . If a vector w ∈ V w\in V w ∈ V is stabilized by every matrix in Stab SL ∞ ( F q ) ( x ) \operatorname{Stab}_{\operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)}(x) Stab SL ∞ ( F q ) ( x ) then w ∈ span { v 1 , … , v k } w\in\operatorname{span}\{v^1,\ldots,v^k\} w ∈ span { v 1 , … , v k } . Dually, if a functional ψ ∈ V ^ \psi\in\widehat V ψ ∈ V is stabilized by every matrix in Stab SL ∞ ( F q ) ( x ) \operatorname{Stab}_{\operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)}(x) Stab SL ∞ ( F q ) ( x ) then ψ ∈ span { φ 1 , … , φ ℓ } \psi\in\operatorname{span}\{\varphi^1,\ldots,\varphi^\ell\} ψ ∈ span { φ 1 , … , φ ℓ } .
Proof. The two statements are dual to each other, and we will only show the first. For each n ∈ N n\in\mathbb{N} n ∈ N , we view the elements of V ^ n \widehat V_n V n as row vectors and those of V n V_n V n as column vectors. So, for each pair η ∈ V ^ n \eta\in\widehat V_n η ∈ V n and u ∈ V n u\in V_n u ∈ V n the matrix product η u ∈ F q \eta u\in\mathbb{F}_q η u ∈ F q corresponds to the pairing ⟨ u , η ⟩ \langle u,\eta\rangle ⟨ u , η ⟩ .
We argue by contraposition. Let w ∉ span { v 1 , … , v k } w\notin\operatorname{span}\{v^1,\ldots,v^k\} w ∈ / span { v 1 , … , v k } be any vector. Since this span is a finite set, there is an index n > ℓ + 1 n>\ell+1 n > ℓ + 1 large enough such that w ≤ n ∉ U n w_{\leq n}\notin U_n w ≤ n ∈ / U n , where U n = span { v ≤ n 1 , … , v ≤ n k } ≤ V n U_n=\operatorname{span}\{v^1_{\leq n},\ldots,v^k_{\leq n}\}\leq V_n U n = span { v ≤ n 1 , … , v ≤ n k } ≤ V n . There exists a functional η ∈ V ^ n \eta\in\widehat V_n η ∈ V n which is zero on U n U_n U n and non-zero on w ≤ n w_{\leq n} w ≤ n . Since n > ℓ + 1 n>\ell+1 n > ℓ + 1 , there is a non-zero vector u ∈ V n u\in V_n u ∈ V n satisfying the following collection of ℓ + 1 \ell+1 ℓ + 1 linear equations
φ ≤ n j u = 0 for all j = 1 , … , ℓ and η u = 0. \varphi^j_{\leq n}u=0\text{ for all }j=1,\ldots,\ell\text{ and }\eta u=0. φ ≤ n j u = 0 for all j = 1 , … , ℓ and η u = 0. Let τ = I + u η ∈ GL n ( F q ) \tau=I+u\eta\in\operatorname{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q) τ = I + u η ∈ GL n ( F q ) . We may view τ \tau τ as a matrix in GL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) via the standard embedding GL n ( F q ) ≤ GL ∞ ( F q ) \operatorname{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q)\leq\operatorname{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL n ( F q ) ≤ GL ∞ ( F q ) . Notice that
( τ − I ) 2 = u ( η u ) η = 0. (\tau-I)^2=u(\eta u)\eta=0. ( τ − I ) 2 = u ( η u ) η = 0. Therefore τ \tau τ is unipotent and in particular has determinant 1 1 1 (it is even a transvection). Finally, notice that for 1 ≤ i ≤ k 1\leq i\leq k 1 ≤ i ≤ k and 1 ≤ j ≤ ℓ 1\leq j\leq\ell 1 ≤ j ≤ ℓ we have
τ v i = v i and φ j τ = φ j . \tau v^i=v^i\qquad\text{and}\qquad\varphi^j\tau=\varphi^j. τ v i = v i and φ j τ = φ j .
Hence τ ∈ Stab S L ∞ ( F q ) ( x ) \tau\in\operatorname{Stab}_{\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)}(x) τ ∈ Stab SL ∞ ( F q ) ( x ) . However
τ w = w + u ( η w ≤ n ) ≠ w , \tau w = w + u(\eta w_{\leq n}) \ne w, τ w = w + u ( η w ≤ n ) = w ,
which means that τ \tau τ does not stabilize w w w , as required. □
We extend our main result to the finitary general linear group.
Proof of Theorem 1.2 . Let μ \mu μ be an ergodic invariant random subgroup of the group G L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) . The pushforward of μ \mu μ under the intersection map Sub ( G L ∞ ( F q ) ) → Sub ( S L ∞ ( F q ) ) \operatorname{Sub}(\mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) \to\operatorname{Sub}(\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) Sub ( GL ∞ ( F q )) → Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) is an invariant random subgroup μ 0 \mu_0 μ 0 of S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) . As the subgroup S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) is normal in G L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) , there is a conjugation action of G L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) on the Chabauty space Sub ( S L ∞ ( F q ) ) \operatorname{Sub}(\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) . The measure μ 0 \mu_0 μ 0 is ergodic since the intersection map Sub ( G L ∞ ( F q ) ) → Sub ( S L ∞ ( F q ) ) \operatorname{Sub}(\mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) \to\operatorname{Sub}(\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) Sub ( GL ∞ ( F q )) → Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) is G L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) -equivariant.
For any pair of indices k , ℓ ∈ N 0 k,\ell\in\mathbb{N}_0 k , ℓ ∈ N 0 notice that the stabilizer map Stab S L ∞ ( F q ) : V k , ℓ → Sub ( S L ∞ ( F q ) ) \operatorname{Stab}_{\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)}: V^{k,\ell} \to\operatorname{Sub}(\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) Stab SL ∞ ( F q ) : V k , ℓ → Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) is G L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) -equivariant and the measure Haar k , ℓ \operatorname{Haar}^{k,\ell} Haar k , ℓ is G L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) -invariant. Therefore the probability measures μ k , ℓ ∈ IRS ( S L ∞ ( F q ) ) \mu_{k,\ell} \in\operatorname{IRS}(\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) μ k , ℓ ∈ IRS ( SL ∞ ( F q )) are G L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) -invariant and ergodic. The same holds for the trivial invariant random subgroup μ ∞ = δ { I } \mu_\infty= \delta_{\{I\}} μ ∞ = δ { I } . By Theorem 1.1 we know that μ k , ℓ \mu_{k,\ell} μ k , ℓ and μ ∞ \mu_\infty μ ∞ are all the S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) -ergodic measures on Sub ( S L ∞ ( F q ) ) \operatorname{Sub}(\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) . Hence those are also all the G L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) -ergodic measures on the same space. We conclude that μ 0 \mu_0 μ 0 is equal to either μ k , ℓ \mu_{k,\ell} μ k , ℓ for some k , ℓ ∈ N 0 k,\ell\in\mathbb{N}_0 k , ℓ ∈ N 0 or to δ { I } \delta_{\{I\}} δ { I } .
In case μ 0 = δ { I } \mu_0 = \delta_{\{I\}} μ 0 = δ { I } we claim that μ = δ { I } \mu= \delta_{\{I\}} μ = δ { I } as well. Indeed, as the subgroup S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) has finite index in G L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) , the assumption μ 0 = δ { I } \mu_0 = \delta_{\{I\}} μ 0 = δ { I } implies that μ \mu μ -a.e. subgroup is finite. Since G L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) has the infinite conjugacy class property (ICC) and μ \mu μ is a probability measure, this implies that μ = δ { I } \mu= \delta_{\{I\}} μ = δ { I } as required.
We consider the remaining case, i.e. there are k , ℓ ∈ N 0 k,\ell\in\mathbb{N}_0 k , ℓ ∈ N 0 such that μ 0 = μ k , ℓ \mu_0 = \mu_{k,\ell} μ 0 = μ k , ℓ . Notice that the determinant map det : Sub ( G L ∞ ( F q ) ) → Sub ( F q × ) \det: \operatorname{Sub}(\mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) \to\operatorname{Sub}(\mathbb{F}_q^\times) det : Sub ( GL ∞ ( F q )) → Sub ( F q × ) is G L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) GL ∞ ( F q ) -invariant and hence a.s. constant by ergodicity of μ \mu μ . Let the subgroup K ≤ F q × K \leq\mathbb{F}_q^\times K ≤ F q × be this constant value. We will show that μ = μ k , ℓ K \mu= \mu^K_{k,\ell} μ = μ k , ℓ K .
The fact that μ 0 = μ k , ℓ \mu_0 = \mu_{k,\ell} μ 0 = μ k , ℓ means that for μ \mu μ -a.e. subgroup H ∈ Sub ( G L ∞ ( F q ) ) H \in\operatorname{Sub}(\mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) H ∈ Sub ( GL ∞ ( F q )) there is a tuple x = ( v , φ ) ∈ V k , ℓ x = (v,\varphi) \in V^{k,\ell} x = ( v , φ ) ∈ V k , ℓ such that
H ∩ S L ∞ ( F q ) = Stab S L ∞ ( F q ) ( x ) = { g ∈ S L ∞ ( F q ) : g ⋅ x = x } . (27) H \cap\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) = \operatorname{Stab}_{\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)}(x) = \{g \in\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) : g \cdot x = x\}. \tag*{(27)} H ∩ SL ∞ ( F q ) = Stab SL ∞ ( F q ) ( x ) = { g ∈ SL ∞ ( F q ) : g ⋅ x = x } . (27)
As the property of regular linear independence (introduced in Theorem 7.5) is Haar k , ℓ \operatorname{Haar}^{k,\ell} Haar k , ℓ -generic, we may assume that both v v v and φ \varphi φ are regularly linearly independent. We will show that such a generic subgroup H ∈ Sub ( G L ∞ ( F q ) ) H \in\operatorname{Sub}(\mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)) H ∈ Sub ( GL ∞ ( F q )) satisfies
H = Stab G L ∞ ( F q ) K ( x ) = { A ∈ G L ∞ ( F q ) : A ⋅ x = x and det A ∈ K } . H = \operatorname{Stab}^{K}_{\mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q)}(x) = \{A \in\mathrm{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) : A \cdot x = x \text{ and } \det A \in K\}. H = Stab GL ∞ ( F q ) K ( x ) = { A ∈ GL ∞ ( F q ) : A ⋅ x = x and det A ∈ K } .
We show containment in one direction. Consider a matrix A ∈ H A \in H A ∈ H . Observe that any matrix B ∈ H B \in H B ∈ H having det B = det A \det B = \det A det B = det A satisfies B − 1 A ∈ H ∩ S L ∞ ( F q ) B^{-1}A \in H \cap\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) B − 1 A ∈ H ∩ SL ∞ ( F q ) . Hence B − 1 A B^{-1}A B − 1 A fixes the point x x x , i.e.
A ⋅ x = B ⋅ x . A \cdot x = B \cdot x. A ⋅ x = B ⋅ x .
Applying this observation to the conjugate matrices B = g A g − 1 B = gAg^{-1} B = g A g − 1 where g ∈ H ∩ S L ∞ ( F q ) g \in H \cap\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) g ∈ H ∩ SL ∞ ( F q ) we get
A ⋅ x = g A g − 1 ⋅ x = g ⋅ ( A ⋅ x ) . A \cdot x = gAg^{-1} \cdot x = g \cdot(A \cdot x). A ⋅ x = g A g − 1 ⋅ x = g ⋅ ( A ⋅ x ) .
In other words, the tuple A ⋅ x A \cdot x A ⋅ x is fixed by the subgroup H ∩ S L ∞ ( F q ) H \cap\mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) H ∩ SL ∞ ( F q ) . By Theorem 8.9 we deduce that A v i ∈ span { v 1 , … , v k } Av^i \in\operatorname{span}\{v^1,\ldots,v^k\} A v i ∈ span { v 1 , … , v k } and ( A t ) − 1 φ i ∈ span { φ 1 , … , φ ℓ } (A^t)^{-1}\varphi^i \in\operatorname{span}\{\varphi^1,\ldots,\varphi^\ell\} ( A t ) − 1 φ i ∈ span { φ 1 , … , φ ℓ } . Let 1 ≤ i ≤ k 1 \le i \le k 1 ≤ i ≤ k be a fixed index. Write A v i = ∑ j = 1 k α j v j A v^{i}=\sum_{j=1}^{k}\alpha_{j}v^{j} A v i = ∑ j = 1 k α j v j where α j ∈ F q \alpha_{j}\in\mathbb{F}_{q} α j ∈ F q are scalars. There is a sufficiently large index m ∈ N m\in\mathbb{N} m ∈ N so that A ∈ SL m ( F q ) A\in\operatorname{SL}_{m}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) A ∈ SL m ( F q ) , and we get
v > m i = ( A v i ) > m = ∑ j = 1 k α j v > m j . v^{i}_{>m}=(Av^{i})_{>m}=\sum_{j=1}^{k}\alpha_{j}v^{j}_{>m}. v > m i = ( A v i ) > m = j = 1 ∑ k α j v > m j .
As the tuple x x x is regularly linearly independent, the sequence ( v > m j ) j = 1 k (v^{j}_{>m})_{j=1}^{k} ( v > m j ) j = 1 k is linearly independent. So α j = δ i j \alpha_{j}=\delta_{ij} α j = δ ij and A v i = v i Av^{i}=v^{i} A v i = v i . The same argument applies to φ i \varphi^{i} φ i . Altogether this implies A ⋅ x = x A\cdot x=x A ⋅ x = x .
Lastly, certainly det A ∈ K \det A\in K det A ∈ K by the choice of K K K . This establishes containment in one direction.
We show containment in the opposite direction. Let A ∈ GL ∞ ( F q ) A\in\operatorname{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) A ∈ GL ∞ ( F q ) be a matrix which fixes the tuple x x x and satisfies det A ∈ K \det A\in K det A ∈ K . Let B ∈ H B\in H B ∈ H be any matrix with det B = det A \det B=\det A det B = det A . Such a matrix B B B exists since det ( H ) = K \det(H)=K det ( H ) = K . By the containment in the forward direction, the subgroup B B B fixes the tuple x x x . So B − 1 A B^{-1}A B − 1 A is a matrix which fixes x x x and has determinant one. Hence B − 1 A ∈ H ∩ SL ∞ ( F q ) B^{-1}A\in H\cap\operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) B − 1 A ∈ H ∩ SL ∞ ( F q ) . We conclude that A = B ⋅ ( B − 1 A ) ∈ H A=B\cdot(B^{-1}A)\in H A = B ⋅ ( B − 1 A ) ∈ H , as required.
To conclude, consider the μ 0 \mu_{0} μ 0 -measurable map Ψ : Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q ) ) → Sub ( GL ∞ ( F q ) ) \Psi:\operatorname{Sub}(\operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q}))\to\operatorname{Sub}(\operatorname{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q})) Ψ : Sub ( SL ∞ ( F q )) → Sub ( GL ∞ ( F q )) sending Stab SL ∞ ( F q ) ( x ) \operatorname{Stab}_{\operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q})}(x) Stab SL ∞ ( F q ) ( x ) to Stab GL ∞ ( F q ) K ( x ) \operatorname{Stab}^{K}_{\operatorname{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q})}(x) Stab GL ∞ ( F q ) K ( x ) . The map Ψ \Psi Ψ is well-defined, since given x = ( v , φ ) x=(v,\varphi) x = ( v , φ ) its stabilizer subgroup Stab SL ∞ ( F q ) ( x ) \operatorname{Stab}_{\operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q})}(x) Stab SL ∞ ( F q ) ( x ) determines the span of v v v and of φ \varphi φ (Theorem 8.9 ). The above discussion shows that H = Ψ ( H ∩ SL ∞ ( F q ) ) H=\Psi(H\cap\operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q})) H = Ψ ( H ∩ SL ∞ ( F q )) for μ \mu μ -a.e. subgroup H ∈ Sub ( GL ∞ ( F q ) ) H\in\operatorname{Sub}(\operatorname{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q})) H ∈ Sub ( GL ∞ ( F q )) . In other words μ = Ψ ∗ μ 0 \mu=\Psi_{*}\mu_{0} μ = Ψ ∗ μ 0 by the definition of μ 0 \mu_{0} μ 0 . Therefore
μ = ( Ψ ∘ Stab SL ∞ ( F q ) ) ∗ Haar k , ℓ = ( Stab GL ∞ ( F q ) K ) ∗ Haar k , ℓ = μ k , ℓ K \mu=(\Psi\circ\operatorname{Stab}_{\operatorname{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q})})_{*}\operatorname{Haar}^{k,\ell}=(\operatorname{Stab}^{K}_{\operatorname{GL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_{q})})_{*}\operatorname{Haar}^{k,\ell}=\mu^{K}_{k,\ell} μ = ( Ψ ∘ Stab SL ∞ ( F q ) ) ∗ Haar k , ℓ = ( Stab GL ∞ ( F q ) K ) ∗ Haar k , ℓ = μ k , ℓ K
as required. □
Permutation stability of elementary enrichment
In this section we give an explicit realization of the diagonal product ⨂ i PSL n i ( F q ) \bigotimes_{i}\operatorname{PSL}_{n_i}(\mathbb{F}_{q}) ⨂ i PSL n i ( F q ) and prove Theorem 1.7 saying this diagonal product is permutation stable.
Permutation stability
We recall the definition of permutation stability. For each n ∈ N n\in\mathbb{N} n ∈ N let S n S_n S n denote the symmetric group of degree n n n with the bi-invariant normalized Hamming metric d n d_n d n given by
d n ( σ , τ ) = 1 − 1 n ∣ Fix ( σ − 1 τ ) ∣ ∀ σ , τ ∈ S n . d_n(\sigma,\tau)=1-\frac{1}{n}\left|\operatorname{Fix}(\sigma^{-1}\tau)\right|\qquad\forall\sigma,\tau\in S_n. d n ( σ , τ ) = 1 − n 1 Fix ( σ − 1 τ ) ∀ σ , τ ∈ S n .
Let G G G be a finitely generated group. An almost-action of G G G is a sequence of set-theoretic maps f n : G → S n f_n:G\to S_n f n : G → S n satisfying
d n ( f n ( g ) f n ( h ) , f n ( g h ) ) → n → ∞ 0 ∀ g , h ∈ G . d_n(f_n(g)f_n(h),f_n(gh))\xrightarrow[n\to\infty]{}0\qquad\forall g,h\in G. d n ( f n ( g ) f n ( h ) , f n ( g h )) n → ∞ 0 ∀ g , h ∈ G .
Such an almost-action f n f_n f n is said to be close to an action if there is a sequence of group homomorphisms ρ n : G → S n \rho_n:G\to S_n ρ n : G → S n satisfying
d n ( ρ n ( g ) , f n ( g ) ) → n → ∞ 0 ∀ g ∈ G . d_n(\rho_n(g),f_n(g))\xrightarrow[n\to\infty]{}0\qquad\forall g\in G. d n ( ρ n ( g ) , f n ( g )) n → ∞ 0 ∀ g ∈ G .
Definition 9.1. The group G G G is called permutation stable if every almost-action of G G G is close to an action.
For finitely generated amenable groups, permutation stability can be understood in terms of properties of the space of invariant random subgroups; see Theorem 1.6 in the introduction by Becker, Lubotzky and Thom. This is our main motivation in this section.
Diagonal products
We give an explicit realization of the diagonal product group ⨂ i P S L n i ( F q ) \bigotimes_i \mathrm{PSL}_{n_i}(\mathbb{F}_q) ⨂ i PSL n i ( F q ) as a finitely generated dense subgroup of the profinite group ∏ P S L n i ( F q ) \prod\mathrm{PSL}_{n_i}(\mathbb{F}_q) ∏ PSL n i ( F q ) . We maintain notations consistent with [23 ] to make the parallel with the proof there as transparent as possible. In particular, these diagonal products will be denoted G ( P ) G(\mathcal{P}) G ( P ) here.
Let S L Z ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\mathbb{Z}}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL Z ( F q ) be the finitary special linear group over the finite field F q \mathbb{F}_q F q with coordinates indexed by the set of integers Z \mathbb{Z} Z . This group is clearly isomorphic to the group S L ∞ ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\infty}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL ∞ ( F q ) considered throughout this work, up to reindexing the coordinates.
For each subset I ⊆ Z I\subseteq\mathbb{Z} I ⊆ Z let P S L I ( F q ) \mathrm{PSL}_{I}(\mathbb{F}_q) PSL I ( F q ) be the projective linear group whose coordinates are indexed by I I I . For each r ∈ N r\in\mathbb{N} r ∈ N denote [ r ] = { − r , … , + r } ⊂ N [r]=\{-r,\ldots,+r\}\subset\mathbb{N} [ r ] = { − r , … , + r } ⊂ N . For each r ∈ N r\in\mathbb{N} r ∈ N let τ r + ( a ) , τ r − ( a ) ∈ P S L [ r ] ( F q ) \tau_r^+(a),\tau_r^-(a)\in\mathrm{PSL}_{[r]}(\mathbb{F}_q) τ r + ( a ) , τ r − ( a ) ∈ PSL [ r ] ( F q ) be the elementary matrices with value a ∈ F q a\in\mathbb{F}_q a ∈ F q at its ( 0 , 1 ) (0,1) ( 0 , 1 ) -th or ( 1 , 0 ) (1,0) ( 1 , 0 ) -th entry respectively. Likewise, for each r ∈ N r\in\mathbb{N} r ∈ N let σ r ∈ P S L [ r ] ( F q ) \sigma_r\in\mathrm{PSL}_{[r]}(\mathbb{F}_q) σ r ∈ PSL [ r ] ( F q ) be the permutation matrix associated to the full cycle ( − r , … , r ) (-r,\ldots,r) ( − r , … , r ) .
Definition 9.2. Let P = ( n i ) \mathcal{P}=(n_i) P = ( n i ) be a monotone sequence of odd integers with n 1 ≥ 3 n_1\geq3 n 1 ≥ 3 . For each i ∈ N i\in\mathbb{N} i ∈ N write n i = 2 r i + 1 n_i=2r_i+1 n i = 2 r i + 1 . Consider the profinite group
P S L ( P ) = ∏ i ∈ N P S L [ r i ] ( F q ) . \mathrm{PSL}(\mathcal{P})=\prod_{i\in\mathbb{N}}\mathrm{PSL}_{[r_i]}(\mathbb{F}_q). PSL ( P ) = i ∈ N ∏ PSL [ r i ] ( F q ) . The group G ( P ) G(\mathcal{P}) G ( P ) is the subgroup of P S L ( P ) \mathrm{PSL}(\mathcal{P}) PSL ( P ) generated by the elements σ \sigma σ and τ ± ( a ) \tau^\pm(a) τ ± ( a ) for all a ∈ F q a\in\mathbb{F}_q a ∈ F q defined by setting τ ± ( a ) i = τ r i ± ( a ) ∈ P S L [ r i ] ( F q ) \tau^\pm(a)_i=\tau_{r_i}^\pm(a)\in\mathrm{PSL}_{[r_i]}(\mathbb{F}_q) τ ± ( a ) i = τ r i ± ( a ) ∈ PSL [ r i ] ( F q ) and σ i = σ r i ∈ P S L [ r i ] ( F q ) \sigma_i=\sigma_{r_i}\in\mathrm{PSL}_{[r_i]}(\mathbb{F}_q) σ i = σ r i ∈ PSL [ r i ] ( F q ) for each index i ∈ N i\in\mathbb{N} i ∈ N .
The group G ( P ) G(\mathcal{P}) G ( P ) has a rich subgroup structure. For instance, note that for each r ∈ N r\in\mathbb{N} r ∈ N the group P S L ( [ r ] ) \mathrm{PSL}([r]) PSL ([ r ]) is generated by the set of elementary matrices σ r \sigma_r σ r and τ r + ( a ) \tau_r^+(a) τ r + ( a ) for all a ∈ F q a\in\mathbb{F}_q a ∈ F q . Hence the group G ( P ) G(\mathcal{P}) G ( P ) surjects onto each factor (and each finite product of factors) of P S L ( P ) \mathrm{PSL}(\mathcal{P}) PSL ( P ) . For each i ∈ N i\in\mathbb{N} i ∈ N we denote by L i ( P ) L_i(\mathcal{P}) L i ( P ) the finite subgroup of G ( P ) G(\mathcal{P}) G ( P ) given by
L i ( P ) = ⟨ τ + ( a ) σ j , τ − ( a ) σ j | j ∈ [ r i − 1 ] , a ∈ F q × ⟩ . L_i(\mathcal{P})=\left\langle\tau^+(a)^{\sigma^j},\tau^-(a)^{\sigma^j}\ \middle|\ j\in[r_i-1],\,a\in\mathbb{F}_q^\times\right\rangle. L i ( P ) = ⟨ τ + ( a ) σ j , τ − ( a ) σ j j ∈ [ r i − 1 ] , a ∈ F q × ⟩ .
The locally finite group N ( P ) N(\mathcal{P}) N ( P ) given by
N ( P ) = ⋃ i ∈ N L i ( P ) N(\mathcal{P})=\bigcup_{i\in\mathbb{N}}L_i(\mathcal{P}) N ( P ) = i ∈ N ⋃ L i ( P )
is the commutator subgroup of G ( P ) G(\mathcal{P}) G ( P ) . It is normally generated in G ( P ) G(\mathcal{P}) G ( P ) by the elements τ ± ( a ) \tau^\pm(a) τ ± ( a ) for all a ∈ F q a\in\mathbb{F}_q a ∈ F q .
Let σ ˉ \bar{\sigma} σ ˉ be the outer automorphism of the group S L Z ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\mathbb{Z}}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL Z ( F q ) corresponding to conjugation by the infinitely supported full shift permutation given by x ↦ x + 1 x\mapsto x+1 x ↦ x + 1 for all x ∈ Z x\in\mathbb{Z} x ∈ Z . We define
V = Z ⋉ S L Z ( F q ) V=\mathbb{Z}\ltimes\mathrm{SL}_{\mathbb{Z}}(\mathbb{F}_q) V = Z ⋉ SL Z ( F q )
where Z ≅ ⟨ σ ˉ ⟩ \mathbb{Z}\cong\langle\bar{\sigma}\rangle Z ≅ ⟨ σ ˉ ⟩ and action on S L Z ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\mathbb{Z}}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL Z ( F q ) is via the automorphism σ ˉ \bar{\sigma} σ ˉ . There is a natural tail map homomorphism t ~ : G ( P ) → V \tilde{t}:G(\mathcal{P})\to V t ~ : G ( P ) → V defined by sending σ \sigma σ to σ ˉ \bar{\sigma} σ ˉ and τ ± ( a ) \tau^\pm(a) τ ± ( a ) for each a ∈ F q a\in\mathbb{F}_q a ∈ F q to the corresponding elementary matrix in S L Z ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\mathbb{Z}}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL Z ( F q ) . Denote U ( P ) = ker t ~ U(\mathcal{P})=\ker\tilde{t} U ( P ) = ker t ~ . This normal subgroup of G ( P ) G(\mathcal{P}) G ( P ) satisfies
U ( P ) ≅ ⨁ i ∈ N P S L [ r i ] ( F q ) ≤ N ( P ) . U(\mathcal{P})\cong\bigoplus_{i\in\mathbb{N}}\mathrm{PSL}_{[r_i]}(\mathbb{F}_q)\leq N(\mathcal{P}). U ( P ) ≅ i ∈ N ⨁ PSL [ r i ] ( F q ) ≤ N ( P ) .
The subgroup N ( P ) N(\mathcal{P}) N ( P ) is the kernel of the composition of the tail map t ~ \tilde{t} t ~ with the projection onto the subgroup Z \mathbb{Z} Z of V V V , so that G ( P ) / N ( P ) ≅ Z G(\mathcal{P})/N(\mathcal{P})\cong\mathbb{Z} G ( P ) / N ( P ) ≅ Z .
Invariant random subgroups of V V V
Consider the standard action of the group S L Z ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\mathbb{Z}}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL Z ( F q ) on the vector space V Z = F q Z V_{\mathbb{Z}}=\mathbb{F}_q^{\mathbb{Z}} V Z = F q Z as well as the dual action on the vector space V ^ Z = V Z \widehat{V}_{\mathbb{Z}}=V_{\mathbb{Z}} V Z = V Z (c.f. § 2.2 ). For each pair of indices k , ℓ ∈ N 0 k,\ell\in\mathbb{N}_0 k , ℓ ∈ N 0 we consider the vector space V Z k , ℓ = V Z k × V ^ Z ℓ V_{\mathbb{Z}}^{k,\ell}=V_{\mathbb{Z}}^k\times\widehat{V}_{\mathbb{Z}}^\ell V Z k , ℓ = V Z k × V Z ℓ endowed with the natural product action of S L Z ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\mathbb{Z}}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL Z ( F q ) and with its Haar probability measure denoted Haar k , ℓ \operatorname{Haar}^{k,\ell} Haar k , ℓ . In these terms, it follows from Theorem 1.1 that any non-trivial invariant random subgroup of S L Z ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\mathbb{Z}}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL Z ( F q ) is of the form μ k , ℓ \mu_{k,\ell} μ k , ℓ , i.e. is obtained as the pushforward of Haar k , ℓ \operatorname{Haar}^{k,\ell} Haar k , ℓ under the stabilizer map Stab S L Z ( F q ) : V Z k , ℓ → Sub ( S L Z ( F q ) ) \operatorname{Stab}_{\mathrm{SL}_{\mathbb{Z}}(\mathbb{F}_q)}:V_{\mathbb{Z}}^{k,\ell}\to\operatorname{Sub}(\mathrm{SL}_{\mathbb{Z}}(\mathbb{F}_q)) Stab SL Z ( F q ) : V Z k , ℓ → Sub ( SL Z ( F q )) .
The following lemma analyzes invariant random subgroups of S L Z ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\mathbb{Z}}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL Z ( F q ) . It corresponds to [23 Corollary 4.5] and its argument invokes Theorem 1.1.
Lemma 9.3. Let μ \mu μ be an ergodic invariant random subgroup of S L Z ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\mathbb{Z}}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL Z ( F q ) . If there is some m ∈ N m\in\mathbb{N} m ∈ N such that μ \mu μ -almost every subgroup H H H is normalized by σ ˉ m g \bar{\sigma}^m g σ ˉ m g for some element g ∈ S L Z ( F q ) g\in\mathrm{SL}_{\mathbb{Z}}(\mathbb{F}_q) g ∈ SL Z ( F q ) depending on the subgroup H H H then μ \mu μ is atomic.
Proof. It suffices to verify that the invariant random subgroups μ k , ℓ ∈ IRS ( S L Z ( F q ) ) \mu_{k,\ell}\in\operatorname{IRS}(\mathrm{SL}_{\mathbb{Z}}(\mathbb{F}_q)) μ k , ℓ ∈ IRS ( SL Z ( F q )) do not satisfy the aforementioned property provided that k + ℓ ≥ 1 k+\ell\geq1 k + ℓ ≥ 1 . Consider a generic tuple x = ( v , φ ) ∈ V Z k , ℓ x=(v,\varphi)\in V_{\mathbb{Z}}^{k,\ell} x = ( v , φ ) ∈ V Z k , ℓ and let H = Stab S L Z ( F q ) ( x ) H=\operatorname{Stab}_{\mathrm{SL}_{\mathbb{Z}}(\mathbb{F}_q)}(x) H = Stab SL Z ( F q ) ( x ) . Fix some m ∈ N m\in\mathbb{N} m ∈ N . An element g ∈ S L Z ( F q ) g\in\mathrm{SL}_{\mathbb{Z}}(\mathbb{F}_q) g ∈ SL Z ( F q ) is such that the automorphism σ ˉ g m \bar{\sigma}^m_g σ ˉ g m normalizes H H H if and only if the tuple σ ˉ g m ⋅ x \bar{\sigma}^m_g\cdot x σ ˉ g m ⋅ x is fixed by H H H . By Theorem 8.9 , this happens if and only if for all i = 1 , … , k i=1,\ldots,k i = 1 , … , k and j = 1 , … , ℓ j=1,\ldots,\ell j = 1 , … , ℓ we have
σ ˉ m g v i ∈ span { v 1 , … , v k } and σ ˉ m ( g − 1 ) t φ j ∈ span { φ 1 , … , φ ℓ } . \bar{\sigma}^m g v^i\in\operatorname{span}\{v^1,\ldots,v^k\}
\quad\text{and}\quad
\bar{\sigma}^m(g^{-1})^t\varphi^j\in\operatorname{span}\{\varphi^1,\ldots,\varphi^\ell\}. σ ˉ m g v i ∈ span { v 1 , … , v k } and σ ˉ m ( g − 1 ) t φ j ∈ span { φ 1 , … , φ ℓ } .
Given each g ∈ S L Z ( F q ) g\in\mathrm{SL}_{\mathbb{Z}}(\mathbb{F}_q) g ∈ SL Z ( F q ) and coefficient matrices α ∈ M k × k ( F q ) \alpha\in M_{k\times k}(\mathbb{F}_q) α ∈ M k × k ( F q ) and β ∈ M ℓ × ℓ ( F q ) \beta\in M_{\ell\times\ell}(\mathbb{F}_q) β ∈ M ℓ × ℓ ( F q ) we let L ( m , g , α , β ) L(m,g,\alpha,\beta) L ( m , g , α , β ) be the set of tuples x = ( v , φ ) ∈ V Z k , ℓ x=(v,\varphi)\in V_{\mathbb{Z}}^{k,\ell} x = ( v , φ ) ∈ V Z k , ℓ such that for all i = 1 , … , k i=1,\ldots,k i = 1 , … , k and j = 1 , … , ℓ j=1,\ldots,\ell j = 1 , … , ℓ
σ ˉ m g v i = ∑ a = 1 k α i a v a and σ ˉ m ( g − 1 ) t φ j = ∑ b = 1 ℓ β j b φ b . \bar{\sigma}^m g v^i=\sum_{a=1}^{k}\alpha_{ia}v^a
\quad\text{and}\quad
\bar{\sigma}^m(g^{-1})^t\varphi^j=\sum_{b=1}^{\ell}\beta_{jb}\varphi^b. σ ˉ m g v i = a = 1 ∑ k α ia v a and σ ˉ m ( g − 1 ) t φ j = b = 1 ∑ ℓ β j b φ b .
Clearly L ( m , g , α , β ) L(m,g,\alpha,\beta) L ( m , g , α , β ) is a linear subspace of V Z k , ℓ V_{\mathbb{Z}}^{k,\ell} V Z k , ℓ . We claim that this subspace is of infinite codimension provided k + ℓ ≥ 1 k+\ell\geq1 k + ℓ ≥ 1 . Indeed, given an element g ∈ S L Z ( F q ) g\in\mathrm{SL}_{\mathbb{Z}}(\mathbb{F}_q) g ∈ SL Z ( F q ) let N ∈ N N\in\mathbb{N} N ∈ N be sufficiently large that g ∈ S L [ − N , N ] ( F q ) g\in\mathrm{SL}_{[-N,N]}(\mathbb{F}_q) g ∈ SL [ − N , N ] ( F q ) , i.e. g g g acts as the identity on all coordinates of absolute value at least N N N . Then for any index n ∈ Z n\in\mathbb{Z} n ∈ Z with ∣ n ∣ > N + m \lvert n\rvert>N+m ∣ n ∣ > N + m , the equations on the n n n -th coordinate of x ∈ V Z k , ℓ x\in V_{\mathbb{Z}}^{k,\ell} x ∈ V Z k , ℓ to determine that x x x belongs to L ( m , g , α , β ) L(m,g,\alpha,\beta) L ( m , g , α , β ) are
v n − m i = ∑ a = 1 k α i a v n a and φ n − m j = ∑ b = 1 ℓ β j b φ n b . v^i_{n-m}=\sum_{a=1}^{k}\alpha_{ia}v^a_n
\quad\text{and}\quad
\varphi^j_{n-m}=\sum_{b=1}^{\ell}\beta_{jb}\varphi^b_n. v n − m i = a = 1 ∑ k α ia v n a and φ n − m j = b = 1 ∑ ℓ β j b φ n b .
As n n n ranges over indices of the form n ∈ ( m + 1 ) Z n\in(m+1)\mathbb{Z} n ∈ ( m + 1 ) Z with ∣ n ∣ > N + m \lvert n\rvert>N+m ∣ n ∣ > N + m the resulting family of equations is linearly independent. Indeed, the equations for each such individual index n n n involve only the two coordinates n − m n-m n − m and n n n , and these coordinates are distinct for different such n n n ’s. We conclude that the solution space L ( m , g , α , β ) L(m,g,\alpha,\beta) L ( m , g , α , β ) is of infinite codimension in V Z k , ℓ V_{\mathbb{Z}}^{k,\ell} V Z k , ℓ as claimed. It follows that Haar k , ℓ ( L ( m , g , α , β ) ) = 0 \operatorname{Haar}^{k,\ell}(L(m,g,\alpha,\beta))=0 Haar k , ℓ ( L ( m , g , α , β )) = 0 .
To conclude, note that by above paragraph every tuple x ∈ V Z k , ℓ x\in V_{\mathbb{Z}}^{k,\ell} x ∈ V Z k , ℓ whose stabilizer is normalized by σ ˉ g m \bar{\sigma}^m_g σ ˉ g m lies in L ( m , g , α , β ) L(m,g,\alpha,\beta) L ( m , g , α , β ) for some pair of coefficient matrices α \alpha α and β \beta β . As μ k , ℓ = ( Stab S L Z ( F q ) ) ∗ Haar k , ℓ \mu_{k,\ell}=(\operatorname{Stab}_{\mathrm{SL}_{\mathbb{Z}}(\mathbb{F}_q)})_*\operatorname{Haar}^{k,\ell} μ k , ℓ = ( Stab SL Z ( F q ) ) ∗ Haar k , ℓ , we get for every m ∈ N m\in\mathbb{N} m ∈ N that
μ k , ℓ ( { H ∈ Sub ( S L Z ( F q ) ) : ∃ g ∈ S L Z ( F q ) such that σ ˉ g m normalizes H } ) ≤ ≤ ∑ g ∈ S L Z ( F q ) ∑ α ∈ M k × k ( F q ) ∑ β ∈ M ℓ × ℓ ( F q ) Haar k , ℓ ( L ( m , g , α , β ) ) = 0 , \begin{aligned}
\mu_{k,\ell}\bigl(\{H\in\operatorname{Sub}(\mathrm{SL}_{\mathbb{Z}}(\mathbb{F}_q)):\exists g\in\mathrm{SL}_{\mathbb{Z}}(\mathbb{F}_q)\text{ such that }\bar{\sigma}^m_g\text{ normalizes }H\}\bigr)
&\leq\\
&\leq\sum_{g\in\mathrm{SL}_{\mathbb{Z}}(\mathbb{F}_q)}
\sum_{\alpha\in M_{k\times k}(\mathbb{F}_q)}
\sum_{\beta\in M_{\ell\times\ell}(\mathbb{F}_q)}
\operatorname{Haar}^{k,\ell}(L(m,g,\alpha,\beta))=0,
\end{aligned} μ k , ℓ ( { H ∈ Sub ( SL Z ( F q )) : ∃ g ∈ SL Z ( F q ) such that σ ˉ g m normalizes H } ) ≤ ≤ g ∈ SL Z ( F q ) ∑ α ∈ M k × k ( F q ) ∑ β ∈ M ℓ × ℓ ( F q ) ∑ Haar k , ℓ ( L ( m , g , α , β )) = 0 ,
as required.
Corollary 9.4. Let μ ~ \tilde{\mu} μ ~ be an ergodic invariant random subgroup of the group V = Z ⋉ S L Z ( F q ) ≅ ⟨ σ ˉ ⟩ ⋉ S L Z ( F q ) V = \mathbb{Z} \ltimes\mathrm{SL}_{\mathbb{Z}}(\mathbb{F}_q) \cong\langle\bar{\sigma}\rangle\ltimes\mathrm{SL}_{\mathbb{Z}}(\mathbb{F}_q) V = Z ⋉ SL Z ( F q ) ≅ ⟨ σ ˉ ⟩ ⋉ SL Z ( F q ) .
Then exactly one of the following two statements is true:
μ ~ \tilde{\mu} μ ~ -a.e. subgroup H H H of V V V is contained in the proper normal subgroup S L Z ( F q ) \mathrm{SL}_{\mathbb{Z}}(\mathbb{F}_q) SL Z ( F q ) , or
μ ~ \tilde{\mu} μ ~ is the atomic probability measure supported on the finite-index subgroup ⟨ σ ˉ m ⟩ ⋉ S L Z ( F q ) \langle\bar{\sigma}^{m}\rangle\ltimes\mathrm{SL}_{\mathbb{Z}}(\mathbb{F}_q) ⟨ σ ˉ m ⟩ ⋉ SL Z ( F q ) for some m ∈ N m \in\mathbb{N} m ∈ N .
Proof. The proof of the analogous fact in the case of B.H. Neumann groups is [23 Corollary 4.6] . The proof in the present case is exactly the same, where we make use of Lemma 9.3 in place of the analogous [23 Corollary 4.5] . □
Invariant random subgroups of G ( P ) G(\mathcal{P}) G ( P )
The diagonal product ⨂ i P S L n i ( F q ) \bigotimes_i \mathrm{PSL}_{n_i}(\mathbb{F}_q) ⨂ i PSL n i ( F q ) associated to the sequence P = ( n i ) \mathcal{P}=(n_i) P = ( n i ) and discussed in the introduction is isomorphic to the group G ( P ) G(\mathcal{P}) G ( P ) defined above. In view of Theorem 1.6 , to show that the diagonal product in question ⨂ i S L n i ( F q ) \bigotimes_i \mathrm{SL}_{n_i}(\mathbb{F}_q) ⨂ i SL n i ( F q ) is permutation stable, we are required to prove the following.
Theorem 9.5. All invariant random subgroups of G ( P ) G(\mathcal{P}) G ( P ) are co-sofic.
Recall that an invariant random subgroup μ \mu μ is called co-sofic if μ \mu μ is a weak-∗ * ∗ limit of invariant random subgroups supported on (i.e. giving measure one to) finite-index subgroup.
Proof of Theorem 9.5. The proof is structurally identical to that of [23 Theorem 1.3] . Rather than providing a full derivation, we highlight the necessary modifications to the definitions and indicate where Theorem 1.1 is invoked. We make use of exactly the same notations as in [23 ] .
Fix a monotone sequence P = ( n i ) \mathcal{P}=(n_i) P = ( n i ) of odd integers with n 1 ≥ 3 n_1 \ge3 n 1 ≥ 3 and consider the group G = G ( P ) G=G(\mathcal{P}) G = G ( P ) . Denote n i = 2 r i + 1 n_i=2r_i+1 n i = 2 r i + 1 for each i ∈ N i\in\mathbb{N} i ∈ N . Let μ \mu μ be an invariant random subgroup of the group G G G , which we wish to show is co-sofic. We may assume without loss of generality that μ \mu μ is ergodic [22 Corollary 2.6] .
Let μ ~ = t ~ ∗ μ \tilde{\mu}=\tilde{t}_*\mu μ ~ = t ~ ∗ μ be the pushforward of the invariant random subgroup μ \mu μ via the tail map t ~ \tilde{t} t ~ . Hence μ ~ \tilde{\mu} μ ~ is an ergodic invariant random subgroup of the group V = Z ⋉ S L Z ( F q ) V=\mathbb{Z}\ltimes\mathrm{SL}_{\mathbb{Z}}(\mathbb{F}_q) V = Z ⋉ SL Z ( F q ) . By Theorem 9.4 there are exactly two possibilities for μ ~ \tilde{\mu} μ ~ .
First, consider the case where μ ~ \tilde{\mu} μ ~ -a.e. subgroup H H H is contained in the normal subgroup S L Z ( F q ) ◃ V \mathrm{SL}_{\mathbb{Z}}(\mathbb{F}_q)\triangleleft V SL Z ( F q ) ◃ V , or equivalently, μ \mu μ -almost every subgroup is contained in the normal subgroup N = N ( P ) ◃ G N=N(\mathcal{P})\triangleleft G N = N ( P ) ◃ G . We define the following objects, parallel to the construction in [23 Section 5] . For each i ∈ N i\in\mathbb{N} i ∈ N let
D i = D i ( P ) = ker ( G → Z / ( 2 r i − 1 ) Z ) D_i=D_i(\mathcal{P})=\ker\left(G\to\mathbb{Z}/(2r_i-1)\mathbb{Z}\right) D i = D i ( P ) = ker ( G → Z / ( 2 r i − 1 ) Z )
via the quotient map G / N ≅ Z G/N\cong\mathbb{Z} G / N ≅ Z , and
G i = G i ( P ) = ker ( G → ∏ j = 1 i P S L [ r j ] ( F q ) ) G_i=G_i(\mathcal{P})=\ker\left(G\to\prod_{j=1}^{i}\mathrm{PSL}_{[r_j]}(\mathbb{F}_q)\right) G i = G i ( P ) = ker ( G → j = 1 ∏ i PSL [ r j ] ( F q ) )
so that D i D_i D i and G i G_i G i are finite-index normal subgroups of G G G . For each i ∈ N i\in\mathbb{N} i ∈ N denote
F i = F i ( P ) = ⟨ σ i : i ∈ [ 2 r i − 1 ] ⟩ ⋅ L i F_i=F_i(\mathcal{P})=\langle\sigma^i:i\in[2r_i-1]\rangle\cdot L_i F i = F i ( P ) = ⟨ σ i : i ∈ [ 2 r i − 1 ]⟩ ⋅ L i
so that F i F_i F i is a Folner sequence in G G G . Further, for a μ \mu μ -generic subgroup H H H and for each i ∈ N i\in\mathbb{N} i ∈ N denote
K i = K i ( H ) = ( H ∩ L i ) ( G i ∩ D i ) K_i=K_i(H)=(H\cap L_i)(G_i\cap D_i) K i = K i ( H ) = ( H ∩ L i ) ( G i ∩ D i )
so that K i K_i K i is a finite-index subgroup of G G G . The subset F i F_i F i is a finite union of disjoint coset transversals of the normalizer N G ( K i ) N_G(K_i) N G ( K i ) . The pairs ( K i , F i ) (K_i,F_i) ( K i , F i ) form a Weiss approximation for the μ \mu μ -generic subgroup H H H in the sense of [22 Definition 1.7] . The arguments presented there carry over to our case without modification. The existence of such a Weiss approximation in a finitely generated residually finite amenable group implies that the invariant random subgroup μ \mu μ is co-sofic [22 Theorem 1.8] .
Lastly, consider the remaining case where μ ~ \tilde{\mu} μ ~ is an atomic measure supported on the finite-index subgroup ⟨ σ ˉ n ⟩ ⋊ SL Z ( F q ) \langle\bar{\sigma}^{n}\rangle\rtimes\operatorname{SL}_{\mathbb{Z}}(F_q) ⟨ σ ˉ n ⟩ ⋊ SL Z ( F q ) for some n ∈ N n \in\mathbb{N} n ∈ N . It follows from [23 Proposition 2.5] that μ \mu μ -almost every subgroup has finite index in G G G (while [23 Proposition 2.5] is stated for B.H. Neumann groups, its parallel version in our setting is proved identically). Hence μ \mu μ is certainly co-sofic in this case as well. This concludes the proof. □ \square □