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For a simple lie algebra $\mathfrak{g}$ over a field of characteristic 0, define $\mathfrak{o}(k)$ to be the orthogonal lie algebra with respect to the Killing form.

In the proof of Theorem 2 in the following paper, https://arxiv.org/pdf/math/0407240.pdf the author mentions that the following is true,

The $\mathfrak{g}$ module $\mathfrak{o}(k)/ad(\mathfrak{g})$ is irreducible if $\mathfrak{g}$ is not of type A while it is a direct sum $W \oplus W^∗ $for some non-self-dual module $W$ if $\mathfrak{g}$ is of type A.

I am unable to see why this is true. Can someone furnish a proof or point to references?

I've also asked it here - https://math.stackexchange.com/questions/3335347/irreducibility-of-the-mathfrakg-module-mathfrakok-ad-mathfrakg

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    $\begingroup$ You're omitting to say that for this statement, the author assumes the field to be algebraically closed of characteristic zero. $\endgroup$
    – YCor
    Commented Aug 28, 2019 at 6:03
  • $\begingroup$ Oops! I tend to use that assumption so often I forget to even mention it! I'll edit right away. $\endgroup$ Commented Aug 28, 2019 at 6:06

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Note that ${\mathfrak o}(k)\cong \wedge^2 {\mathfrak g}$. It has ${\mathfrak g}$ as a summand, coming from the Lie bracket $\wedge^2 {\mathfrak g} \rightarrow {\mathfrak g}$ . Calculation of the rest is an easy case-by-case exercise. For instance, it is done by Reeder in https://mathscinet.ams.org/mathscinet-getitem?mr=1437204

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