G_a Invariants and Slices

Abstract

Criteria for local triviality of algebraic actions of the additive group of complex numbers on complex affine space are extended to more general varieties. Finite generation of rings of invariants of locally trivial actions on factorial affine varieties is dicussed, giving some sufficient conditions for finite generation and examples where finite generation fails. A missing hypothesis in a theorem of Miyanishi is identified, and an example is given to demonstrate the necessity of the hypothesis. The corrected theorem is shown to hold for a class of triangular G _a actions on C⁴, with the consequence that all these actions are conjugate to translations. A new criterion for an action to be conjugate to a global translation is given.