If $G$ is a reductive algebraic group acting rationally on a smooth affine variety $X$, then it is generally believed that $D(X)^G$ has properties very similar to those of enveloping algebras of semisimple Lie algebras. In this book, the authors show that this is indeed the case when $G$ is a torus and $X=k^r\times (k^*)^s$. They give a precise description of the primitive ideals in $D(X)^G$ and study in detail the ring theoretical and homological properties of the minimal primitive quotients of $D(X)^G$. The latter are of the form $B^x=D(X)^G/({\mathfrak g}-\chi({\mathfrak g}))$ where ${\mathfrak g}= \mathrm{Lie}(G)$, $\chi\in {\mathfrak g}^\ast$ and ${\mathfrak g}-\chi({\mathfrak g})$ is the set of all $v-\chi(v)$ with $v\in {\mathfrak g}$. They occur as rings of twisted differential operators on toric varieties. It is also proven that if $G$ is a torus acting rationally on a smooth affine variety, then $D(X/\!/G)$ is a simple ring.

Readership

Graduate students and research mathematicians working in rings of differential operators; algebraic geometers and others interested in toric varieties.