Theorem Affine G-Varieties Embed Equivariantly in Representations
theorem admitted

Affine G-Varieties Embed Equivariantly in Representations

Let \(G\) be a linear algebraic group acting regularly on an affine variety \(X\). Then there exists a finite-dimensional rational representation \(V\) of \(G\) and a \(G\)-equivariant closed immersion \[ X \hookrightarrow V. \]

In particular, affine \(G\)-varieties can be studied through finite-dimensional linear representations of \(G\).

Proof

Write \(X=\operatorname{Spec} A\). The action of \(G\) on \(X\) is equivalent to a coaction \(A\to A\otimes k[G]\), so \(A\) is a rational \(G\)-module. Choose finitely many algebra generators of \(A\). The finite-subcomodule argument used in the embedding theorem puts these generators inside a finite-dimensional \(G\)-stable subspace \(W\subseteq A\).

The inclusion \(W\subseteq A\) gives a surjective algebra map \(\operatorname{Sym}(W)\to A\), hence a closed immersion \(X\hookrightarrow W^\vee\). Since \(W\) is \(G\)-stable, the dual space \(W^\vee\) is a finite-dimensional representation and the immersion is \(G\)-equivariant.