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Let $G$ be a connected reductive real Lie group with Lie algebra $\mathfrak{g}$. We denote by $\widehat{G}_u$ the unitary dual, that is the set of isomorphism classes of unitary reprensentation of $G$.

Let $C$ be the Casimir of $\mathfrak{g}$. It is in the center of the universal enveloping algebra $U(\mathfrak{g})$. Hence, it acts as a scalar $C_\pi\in \mathbf{C}$ on $\pi\in \widehat{G}_u$.

Is it true that for a given $c\in \mathbf{C}$, there exits only finite $\pi\in \widehat{G}_u$ such that $C_\pi=c$?

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  • $\begingroup$ Isn't this equivalent to saying that the Laplacian on $G$ doesn't have infinite dimensional eigenspaces? $\endgroup$ Feb 28, 2015 at 19:54
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    $\begingroup$ Dear Joonas Ilmavirta, when $G$ is non compact, the Casimir is not elliptic. Only if restict to $C^\infty(G/K)$, Casimir is the Laplacian. $\endgroup$
    – shu
    Feb 28, 2015 at 20:00
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    $\begingroup$ @shu: Treatments of infinitesimal characters related to unitary representations of real Lie groups usually involve the complexified Lie algebra and its universal enveloping algebra. For a Casimir-type operator to act by a scalar may require an algebraically closed field. $\endgroup$ Feb 28, 2015 at 20:44
  • $\begingroup$ @JimHumphreys, Thank you for the comment. I modified the field. $\endgroup$
    – shu
    Feb 28, 2015 at 20:58

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No, for higher-rank groups, such as $SL_n(\mathbb R)$ with $n\ge 3$, it is straightforward to compute that the eigenvalue of Casimir on a unitary principal series is a quadratic polynomial in the parameters for the character, so there is a continuum of unitary principal series (generically irreducible) with the same eigenvalue of Casimir.

However Harish-Chandra proved that if the eigenvalues of all the center of the enveloping algebra are specified, there are only finitely-many irreducibles with those eigenvalues.

Edit: this is nearly a corollary of Harish-Chandra's sub-quotient theorem (and/or of Casselman's subrepresentation theorem), which asserts that irred admissibles are sub-quotients of principal series. The eigenvalues of the center of the enveloping algebra determine the principal series up to action of the Weyl group...

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  • $\begingroup$ Could you give the reference of the Harish-Chandra's result? Thank you $\endgroup$
    – shu
    Feb 28, 2015 at 21:12
  • $\begingroup$ Unfortunately I don't remember which H-C paper it was, but probably you can find it by perusing Wallach's or Knapp's books on representation theory. $\endgroup$ Feb 28, 2015 at 21:38

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