On the Maximal Size of Irredundant Generating Sets in Lie Groups and Algebraic Groups
Pith reviewed 2026-05-15 13:14 UTC · model grok-4.3
The pith
A topologically generating set in a connected compact Lie group must be redundant if its size exceeds a polynomial in the group's rank.
A machine-rendered reading of the paper's core claim, the machinery that carries it, and where it could break.
Core claim
We show that a topologically generating set S of a connected compact Lie group G of size larger than a fixed polynomial in the rank of G must be redundant (i.e., some proper subset of S still topologically generates G). Similar results are obtained for amenable Lie groups and for reductive algebraic groups with the Zariski topology. The quantitative bounds produced by our method are controlled by corresponding bounds for finite simple groups of Lie type. We also treat redundancy up to Nielsen transformations, thereby partially answering a few conjectures of Gelander. We show that these conjectures are implied by the Wiegold conjecture.
What carries the argument
Reduction of the topological generation question for Lie groups to polynomial bounds on generating sets of finite simple groups of Lie type, via suitable approximations or quotients.
Load-bearing premise
The method assumes that sufficiently strong polynomial bounds on the size of generating sets already exist or can be proved for finite simple groups of Lie type.
What would settle it
A connected compact Lie group of rank r that admits an irredundant topologically generating set whose size exceeds every polynomial function of r would disprove the main claim.
read the original abstract
We show that a topologically generating set $S$ of a connected compact Lie group $G$ of size larger than a fixed polynomial in the rank of $G$ must be redundant (i.e., some proper subset of $S$ still topologically generates $G$). Similar results are obtained for amenable Lie groups and for reductive algebraic groups with the Zariski topology. The quantitative bounds produced by our method are controlled by corresponding bounds for finite simple groups of Lie type. We also treat redundancy up to Nielsen transformations, thereby partially answering a few conjectures of Gelander. We show that these conjectures are implied by the Wiegold conjecture.
Editorial analysis
A structured set of objections, weighed in public.
Referee Report
Summary. The paper establishes that any topologically generating set S of a connected compact Lie group G whose cardinality exceeds a fixed polynomial in the rank of G must be redundant (some proper subset still topologically generates G). Analogous statements are proved for amenable Lie groups and for reductive algebraic groups equipped with the Zariski topology. The quantitative bounds obtained are controlled by corresponding (currently unknown) polynomial bounds on the maximal size of irredundant generating sets in finite simple groups of Lie type. The authors also study redundancy up to Nielsen transformations and show that several conjectures of Gelander are implied by the Wiegold conjecture.
Significance. If the reduction to the finite case is valid, the work supplies the first explicit polynomial control on the maximal size of irredundant topological generating sets in compact Lie groups, thereby giving a uniform quantitative answer to questions about generation in infinite groups by reducing them to finite-group problems. The link to the Wiegold conjecture and the partial resolution of Gelander’s conjectures are additional contributions. The result is conditional on the existence of polynomial bounds for finite simple groups of Lie type; until those bounds are established or cited, the quantitative statement remains formally open.
major comments (2)
- [reduction to finite groups / main theorem] The central quantitative claim (a fixed polynomial bound in the rank) is stated to be controlled by polynomial bounds for finite simple groups of Lie type, yet the manuscript supplies neither a proof nor a reference establishing that such polynomial bounds exist for those finite groups. This renders the explicit polynomial degree for the Lie-group statement conditional on an unresolved question (see the reduction argument and the paragraph following the statement of the main theorem).
- [Nielsen transformations section] The argument that Gelander’s conjectures on Nielsen redundancy follow from the Wiegold conjecture is presented as a corollary, but the reduction step does not explicitly verify that the topological-generation property is preserved under the relevant Nielsen moves in the infinite setting; a short additional paragraph confirming this preservation is needed.
minor comments (1)
- [Introduction] The notation for the rank function and for the polynomial degree is introduced without a dedicated symbol table; adding a short notation paragraph would improve readability.
Simulated Author's Rebuttal
We thank the referee for the careful reading and constructive comments. We address each major point below and describe the planned revisions.
read point-by-point responses
-
Referee: [reduction to finite groups / main theorem] The central quantitative claim (a fixed polynomial bound in the rank) is stated to be controlled by polynomial bounds for finite simple groups of Lie type, yet the manuscript supplies neither a proof nor a reference establishing that such polynomial bounds exist for those finite groups. This renders the explicit polynomial degree for the Lie-group statement conditional on an unresolved question (see the reduction argument and the paragraph following the statement of the main theorem).
Authors: The central contribution is the reduction from the Lie-group setting to the finite simple groups of Lie type; the quantitative bound for compact Lie groups is explicitly described as being controlled by the (presently unknown) corresponding bound in the finite case. We do not claim an unconditional explicit degree. To make this conditional character fully transparent, we will revise the statement of the main theorem and the subsequent paragraph to state explicitly that the polynomial degree depends on the finite-group bounds. revision: yes
-
Referee: [Nielsen transformations section] The argument that Gelander’s conjectures on Nielsen redundancy follow from the Wiegold conjecture is presented as a corollary, but the reduction step does not explicitly verify that the topological-generation property is preserved under the relevant Nielsen moves in the infinite setting; a short additional paragraph confirming this preservation is needed.
Authors: We agree that an explicit verification improves clarity. We will add a short paragraph in the Nielsen transformations section confirming that topological generation is preserved under the relevant Nielsen moves in the infinite (topological) setting, using the continuity of the group operations and the fact that the closed subgroup generated by the set is unchanged. revision: yes
Circularity Check
No circularity: bounds explicitly conditional on external finite-group results
full rationale
The manuscript states that its quantitative polynomial bounds for Lie groups are 'controlled by corresponding bounds for finite simple groups of Lie type' and that certain conjectures are implied by the (external) Wiegold conjecture. No equation or step in the derivation reduces a claimed prediction to a fitted parameter, self-definition, or load-bearing self-citation whose content is itself unverified within the paper. The reduction to finite groups is presented as a transfer of the quantitative question rather than a resolution of it, leaving the central claim dependent on independent external progress. This is a standard conditional reduction and satisfies the criteria for a self-contained derivation against external benchmarks.
Axiom & Free-Parameter Ledger
axioms (2)
- domain assumption Standard properties of topological generation and connectedness in compact Lie groups
- domain assumption Existence of polynomial bounds on the size of irredundant generating sets for finite simple groups of Lie type
Lean theorems connected to this paper
-
IndisputableMonolith/Foundation/RealityFromDistinction.leanreality_from_one_distinction unclear?
unclearRelation between the paper passage and the cited Recognition theorem.
Theorem 1.3: m(G) ≤ a·dim(G)^b for amenable Lie G; m_C(G) ≤ a·rank(G)^b for reductive algebraic G. Bounds controlled by m(G_p(F_p)) for finite simple groups of Lie type.
-
IndisputableMonolith/Cost/FunctionalEquation.leanwashburn_uniqueness_aczel unclear?
unclearRelation between the paper passage and the cited Recognition theorem.
Reduction via congruence images and strong approximation (Prop 2.1, Lemma 2.4) to finite simple groups.
What do these tags mean?
- matches
- The paper's claim is directly supported by a theorem in the formal canon.
- supports
- The theorem supports part of the paper's argument, but the paper may add assumptions or extra steps.
- extends
- The paper goes beyond the formal theorem; the theorem is a base layer rather than the whole result.
- uses
- The paper appears to rely on the theorem as machinery.
- contradicts
- The paper's claim conflicts with a theorem or certificate in the canon.
- unclear
- Pith found a possible connection, but the passage is too broad, indirect, or ambiguous to say the theorem truly supports the claim.
Reference graph
Works this paper leans on
-
[1]
H. Abels and G. A. Noskov. “The Frattini subgroup of a Lie group and the topological rank of a Lie group”. In:J. Algebra640 (2024), pp. 326–367.issn: 0021-8693,1090-266X.doi:10.1016/ j.jalgebra.2023.10.026.url:https://doi- org.ezproxy.weizmann.ac.il/10.1016/j. jalgebra.2023.10.026
work page doi:10.1016/j 2024
-
[2]
M. F. Atiyah and I. G. Macdonald.Introduction to commutative algebra. Addison-Wesley Publish- ing Co., Reading, Mass.-London-Don Mills, Ont., 1969, pp. ix+128
work page 1969
-
[3]
On Wiegold’s conjecture for the small Ree groups
Sira Busch et al. “On Wiegold’s conjecture for the small Ree groups”. In:arXiv preprint arXiv:2510.06479 (2025)
-
[4]
Preprint.url:https : / / perso
Serge Cantat, Christophe Dupont and Florestan Martin-Baillon.Rigidity of the Dynamics of Aut(Fn) on Representations into a Compact Group. Preprint.url:https : / / perso . univ - rennes1.fr/serge.cantat/Articles/redundant-web.pdf
-
[5]
Lifting generators in connected Lie groups
Tal Cohen and Itamar Vigdorovich. “Lifting generators in connected Lie groups”. In:J. Algebra 688 (2026), pp. 156–188.issn: 0021-8693,1090-266X.doi:10.1016/j.jalgebra.2025.09.022. url:https://doi-org.ezproxy.weizmann.ac.il/10.1016/j.jalgebra.2025.09.022
-
[6]
Aut (Fn) actions on representation spaces
Tsachik Gelander. “Aut (Fn) actions on representation spaces”. In:Journal of Algebra656 (2024), pp. 206–225
work page 2024
-
[7]
Irredundant bases for finite groups of Lie type
Nick Gill and Martin W Liebeck. “Irredundant bases for finite groups of Lie type”. In:Pacific Journal of Mathematics322.2 (2023), pp. 281–300
work page 2023
-
[8]
Finite quotients of the automorphism group of a free group
Robert Gilman. “Finite quotients of the automorphism group of a free group”. In:Canadian Journal of Mathematics29.3 (1977), pp. 541–551
work page 1977
-
[9]
The maximal size of a minimal generating set
Scott Harper. “The maximal size of a minimal generating set”. In:Forum of Mathematics, Sigma. Vol. 11. Cambridge University Press. 2023, e70
work page 2023
-
[10]
The minimal generating sets of of size four
Sebastian Jambor. “The minimal generating sets of of size four”. In:LMS Journal of Computation and Mathematics16 (2013), pp. 419–423
work page 2013
-
[11]
Independent sets in some classical groups of dimension three
Philip James Keen. “Independent sets in some classical groups of dimension three”. PhD thesis. University of Birmingham, 2012
work page 2012
-
[12]
Primitive stable representations in higher rank semisimple Lie groups
Inkang Kim and Sungwoon Kim. “Primitive stable representations in higher rank semisimple Lie groups”. In:Revista Matem´ atica Complutense34.3 (2021), pp. 715–745. 11
work page 2021
-
[13]
Weakly positive and directed Anosov rep- resentations
Sungwoon Kim, Ser Peow Tan and Tengren Zhang. “Weakly positive and directed Anosov rep- resentations”. In:Advances in Mathematics408 (2022), p. 108611.issn: 0001-8708.doi:https: //doi.org/10.1016/j.aim.2022.108611.url:https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/ article/pii/S0001870822004285
work page doi:10.1016/j.aim.2022.108611.url:https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/ 2022
-
[14]
Normal subgroup growth of linear groups: the (G2, F4, E8)- theorem
Michael Larsen and Alexander Lubotzky. “Normal subgroup growth of linear groups: the (G2, F4, E8)- theorem”. In:Algebraic groups and arithmetic. Tata Inst. Fund. Res., Mumbai, 2004, pp. 441–468. isbn: 81-7319-618-4
work page 2004
-
[15]
Dynamics and Aut(F n) actions on group presentations and representations
Alexander Lubotzky. “Dynamics and Aut(F n) actions on group presentations and representations”. In:Geometry, Rigidity, and Group Actions. Chicago Lectures in Mathematics. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2011
work page 2011
-
[16]
One for almost all: generation of SL (n, p) by subsets of SL (n, Z)
Alexander Lubotzky. “One for almost all: generation of SL (n, p) by subsets of SL (n, Z)”. In: Algebra, K-theory, groups, and education (New York, 1997)243 (1999), pp. 125–128
work page 1997
-
[17]
Bounding the maximal size of independ- ent generating sets of finite groups
Andrea Lucchini, Mariapia Moscatiello and Pablo Spiga. “Bounding the maximal size of independ- ent generating sets of finite groups”. In:Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh Section A: Mathematics151.1 (2021), pp. 133–150
work page 2021
-
[18]
On dynamics of Out (F n) on PSL2(C) characters
Yair N Minsky. “On dynamics of Out (F n) on PSL2(C) characters”. In:Israel Journal of Math- ematics193.1 (2013), pp. 47–70
work page 2013
-
[19]
A. L. Onishchik and `E. B. Vinberg.Lie groups and algebraic groups. Springer Series in Soviet Mathematics. Translated from the Russian and with a preface by D. A. Leites. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1990, pp. xx+328.isbn: 3-540-50614-4.doi:10.1007/978-3-642-74334-4.url:https: //doi-org.ezproxy.weizmann.ac.il/10.1007/978-3-642-74334-4
-
[20]
What do we know about the product replacement algorithm
Igor Pak. “What do we know about the product replacement algorithm”. In:Groups and compu- tation3 (2001), pp. 301–347
work page 2001
-
[21]
Thomas Weigel. “finite Chevalley groups.” In:Groups of Lie type and their geometries207 (1995), p. 281
work page 1995
-
[22]
On the profinite completion of arithmetic groups of split type
Thomas Weigel et al. “On the profinite completion of arithmetic groups of split type”. In:Travaux en cours(1996), pp. 79–101
work page 1996
-
[23]
Strong approximation for Zariski-dense subgroups of semi-simple algebraic groups
Boris Weisfeiler. “Strong approximation for Zariski-dense subgroups of semi-simple algebraic groups”. In:Annals of Mathematics120.2 (1984), pp. 271–315
work page 1984
-
[24]
On the maximal size of independent generating sets of PSL2 (q)
Julius Whiston and Jan Saxl. “On the maximal size of independent generating sets of PSL2 (q)”. In:Journal of Algebra258.2 (2002), pp. 651–657. Department of Mathematics, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA Email address:ivigdorovich@ucsd.edu Webpage:https://sites.google.com/view/itamarv Department of Mathematics,...
work page 2002
discussion (0)
Sign in with ORCID, Apple, or X to comment. Anyone can read and Pith papers without signing in.