Some automorphism groups are linear algebraic

Abstract

Consider a normal projective variety $X$, a linear algebraic subgroup $G$ of Aut($X$), and the field $K$ of $G$-invariant rational functions on $X$. We show that the subgroup of Aut($X$) that fixes $K$ pointwise is linear algebraic. If $K$ has transcendence degree $1$ over $k$, then Aut($X$) is an algebraic group.

Minor revision, some details added. Final version, 15 pages