An algebraic slice in the coadjoint space of the Borel and the Coxeter element

Let g be a complex simple Lie algebra and b a Borel subalgebra. The algebra Y of polynomial semi-invariants on the dual b⁎ of b is a polynomial algebra on rank g generators (Grothendieck and Dieudonné (1965–1967)) [16], . The analogy with the semisimple case suggests there exists an algebraic slice to coadjoint action, that is an affine translate y+V of a vector subspace of b⁎ such that the restriction map induces an isomorphism of Y onto the algebra R[y+V] of regular functions on y+V. This holds in type A and even extends to all biparabolic subalgebras (Joseph (2007)) [20]; but the construction fails in general even with respect to the Borel. Moreover already in type C(2) no algebraic slice exists.Very surprisingly the exception of type C(2) is itself an exception. Indeed an algebraic slice for the coadjoint action of the Borel subalgebra is constructed for all simple Lie algebras except those of types B(2m), C(n) and F(4).Outside type A, the slice obtained meets an open dense subset of regular orbits, even though the special point y of the slice is not itself regular. This explains the failure of our previous construction.