Homomorphisms of algebraic groups: representability and rigidity

Abstract: Given two algebraic groups $G$, $H$ over a field $k$, we investigate the representability of the functor of morphisms (of schemes) $\mathbf{Hom}(G,H)$ and the subfunctor of homomorphisms (of algebraic groups) $\mathbf{Hom}{\rm gp}(G,H)$. We show that $\mathbf{Hom}(G,H)$ is represented by a group scheme, locally of finite type, if the $k$-vector space $\mathcal{O}(G)$ is finite-dimensional; the converse holds if $H$ is not \'etale. When $G$ is linearly reductive and $H$ is smooth, we show that $\mathbf{Hom}{\rm gp}(G,H)$ is represented by a smooth scheme $M$; moreover, every orbit of $H$ acting by conjugation on $M$ is open.