On pro-reductive groups

Abstract

In the proof of the Freudenthal–Weil theorem in, for example (5), essential use is made of the fact that if G and H are compact analytic groups and ø: G → H is a continuous epimorphism then ø(Z(G)0) = Z(H)0 where the subscript 0 denotes the identity component of a topological group G and Z(G) its centre. Although this is sufficient for the proof of the Freudenthal–Weil theorem it raises the interesting question as to whether actually ø(Z(G)) = Z(H) (from which the above would follow) and, if so, in what generality this can be expected. The present paper deals with this question, in more general form, as well as certain of its structural consequences.