Tagged Questions

4
votes
1answer
270 views

What’s the origin of the naming convention for the standard basis of sl_2?

$\mathfrak{sl}_2(\mathbb{C})$ is usually given a basis $H, X, Y$ satisfying $[H, X] = 2X, [H, Y] = -2Y, [X, Y] = H$. What is the origin of the use of the letter $H$? (It certainl …
3
votes
1answer
117 views

Why are relations of degree 3 or less enough in a presentation of the polynomial current Lie algebra g[t]?

Let $\mathfrak{g}$ be a finite dimensional simple Lie algebra over $\mathbb{C}$. The polynomial current Lie algebra $\mathfrak{g}[t] = \mathfrak{g} \otimes \mathbb{C} [t]$ has the …
1
vote
1answer
114 views

Dolbeault Operators for $CP^1$ as $\mathfrak{su}(2)$ Actions.

This question is related to a previous question of mine. More specifically, it results from my attempts to understand the simplest incarnation of a phenomenon mentioned therein. P …
6
votes
2answers
279 views

Matrix representation for $F_4$

Has anyone ever bothered to write down the 26-dimensional fundamental representation of $F_4$? I wouldn't mind looking at it. Is it in $\mathfrak{so}(26)$? I'm familiar with the c …
4
votes
0answers
78 views

Is an irreducible holomorphic symplectic manifold a simple Lie algebra?

The tangent bundle of a hyper-Kahler manifold gives a quadratic Lie algebra in the derived category. Can this be regarded as a simple Lie algebra according to Vogel's definition? …
7
votes
3answers
239 views

subgroup of SU(N) with maximal manifold dimension

Given the group SU(N) of NxN unitary matrices, does there exist a subgroup S with a manifold dimension larger than the SU(N-1) manifold dimension and smaller than the SU(N) one? S …
2
votes
2answers
192 views

Why can the Dolbeault Operators be Realised as Lie Algebra Actions

I've been looking at an example in the non-commutative geometry literature and I'm having trouble figuring out what the classical motivation is. I'll just describe the classical ca …
1
vote
2answers
203 views

Resolution of a free lie algebra as a module over its universal enveloping algebra.

Let $L=L(V)$ be a free Lie algebra on a vector space $V$ and $A=T(V)$ the tensor algebra. Make $L$ into a module over $A$ consistent with the formula $a\cdot \alpha=[a,\alpha]$ for …
3
votes
2answers
220 views

Sum of all root lengths in simple Lie algebra

Part of one of my calculations involves (the innocent looking) expression $\sum_{\alpha\in\Sigma} (\alpha,\alpha)$ for simple Lie algebras. I have two methods of calculating it -- …
1
vote
1answer
146 views

What is the relation between characters of a group and its lie algebra?

What is the relation between characters of a group and its lie algebra? Roughly,I know that there is a one to one correspondence between representations of a lie algebra and its …
17
votes
10answers
805 views

What does the generating function $x/(1 - e^{-x})$ count?

Let $x$ be a formal (or small, since the function is analytic) variable, and consider the power series $$ A(x) = \frac{x}{1 - e^{-x}} = \sum_{m=0}^\infty \left( -\sum_{n=1}^\infty …
1
vote
2answers
178 views

How to interpret the Sugawara construction from a physical or mathematical viewpoint?

In theoretical physics, the Sugawara theory is a set of formulae and theorems that allow one to construct a stress-energy tensor of a specific type of conformal field theory from a …
6
votes
1answer
70 views

Comparing two similar procedures for quantizing a Casimir Lie algebra

My primary reference for this question is the very good book Quantum Groups and Knot Invariants by C. Kassel, M. Rosso, and V. Turaev. I'm also drawing from P. Etingof and O. Schi …
1
vote
0answers
77 views

Is the Cartan matrix a complete invariant of a Kac-Moody algebra?

In chapter 1 of Kac's book "Infinite dimensional Lie algebras" it is mentioned that two Kac-Moody algebras are isomorphic if and only if their Cartan matrices are isomorphic (i.e. …
9
votes
3answers
207 views

Outer automorphisms of simple Lie Algebras

There is, of course, a complete classification for simple complex Lie algebras. Is there a good reference which lists the group of outer automorphisms for each?

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