4

1

Let $k$ be a commutative ring and $L$ a $k$-module. The tensor algebra $\otimes L$ is $\mathbb{Z}$-graded and $\mathbb{Z}_2$-graded (an element of $L^{\otimes n}$ has degree $n$ and $\mathbb{Z}_2$-degree $n\mod 2$), hence it is a superalgebra over $k$. This canonically induces a supercommutator $\left[\cdot,\cdot \right]_{\mathrm{s}}$ on $\otimes L,$ which is simply

$$\left[U,V\right]_{\mathrm{s}}=UV-\left(-1\right)^{nm}VU$$

for any $U\in L^{\otimes n}$ and any $V\in L^{\otimes m}$.

Define a map $T:\otimes L\to \otimes L$ as

$$T\left(u_1\otimes u_2\otimes \ldots\otimes u_k\right) = \sum\limits_{i=1}^{k} \left(-1\right)^i u_i \otimes u_1 \otimes u_2 \otimes \ldots \otimes u_{i-1} \otimes u_{i+1} \otimes \ldots \otimes u_k$$

(this is for the pure tensors; for the rest, just continue this by linearity). It is easy to see that $L^{\otimes 0}\subseteq \mathrm{Ker} T$ and that

$$\mathrm{Ker} T\cdot \mathrm{Ker} T\subseteq \mathrm{Ker} T$$

(where multiplication is the multiplication in the tensor algebra $\otimes L$), so that $\mathrm{Ker} T$ is a subalgebra of $\otimes L$. (Thus, in particular, $\left[\mathrm{Ker} T,\mathrm{Ker} T\right]_{\mathrm{s}}\subseteq \mathrm{Ker} T$.) Also, $\left[L, \mathrm{Ker} T\right]_{\mathrm{s}}\subseteq \mathrm{Ker} T$.

Consequently, by induction, any nontrivial tree of supercommutator brackets decorated by elements of $L$ must evaluate to an element of $\mathrm{Ker} T$, and so must any tensor product of such trees (including empty products). I am wondering: do these generate (over $k$) all of $\mathrm{Ker} T$ or is there more? I am mostly interested in the case when the characteristic of $K$ is zero: if it is $2$, then there is surely more.


Here is a bit of motivation (I said this is a curiousity question, but in fact the original curiousity question was about bilinear forms):

Let $f:L\times L\to k$ be a bilinear form. We define a bilinear map $U:L\times\left( \otimes L\right)\to \otimes L$ by $U\left(u,v_1\otimes v_2\otimes ...\otimes v_k\right)=\sum\limits_{i=1}^k\left(-1\right)^{i-1}f\left(u,v_i\right)\cdot v_1\otimes v_2\otimes ...\otimes \hat{v_i}\otimes \ldots\otimes v_k$, where $\hat{v_i}$ means that the factor $v_i$ is omitted from the product. (Of course, we have just defined $U\left(u,V\right)$ for pure tensors $V$ only, but the rest is clear by linearity.)

This bilinear map $U$ is rather natural; people use to denote the similarly defined map $L\times\left( \wedge L\right)\to \wedge L$ (where all $\otimes$ signs have been replaced by $\wedge$ signs) as the "interior product" (the "exterior product" is just the wedge product) - best known in the context of differential forms.

Now I'm wondering what tensors $V\in \otimes L$ satisfy ($U\left(u,V\right)=0$ for every $u\in L$ and every bilinear form $f$). This is equivalent to $V\in\mathrm{Ker} T$.


On a related matter, how can I make a computer do this kind of algebra for me, say on $L^{\otimes 7}$ ? Are there Haskell/ML libraries for tensor algebras or is there CAS software for this? (I am aware that my questions are reducible to representation theory of $S_n$.) A link (preferrably with a short tutorial) would be very appreciated. Thanks!

flag
You need to enclose complicated TeX in backticks, just as the sidebar "How to write math" instructs you to do. I've fixed it and made a couple of style/nomenclature changes, I hope it's all right. – Victor Protsak Aug 12 2010 at 7:46
Thanks a lot! I tried enclosing some signs in backticks, but I didn't think of enclosing just everything. – darij grinberg Aug 12 2010 at 9:34

Your Answer

Get an OpenID
or

Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.