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9 votes
3 answers
2k views

Characterisation for separable extension of a field

Can someone verify this for me.. or tell me what reference shows me this... is this true: Let $k$ be a field. Then a field extension $K$ of $k$ is separable over $k$ iff for any field extension $L \...
1 vote
0 answers
148 views

Which elements lie in a Cartan subalgebra?

Let $\mathfrak{g}$ be a Lie subalgebra of the real upper triangular matrices (i.e. $\mathfrak{g}$ is a completely solvable real Lie algebra). $\mathfrak{g}$ has an exponential radical $\mathfrak{r}$, ...
1 vote
0 answers
79 views

The partial orders on the elements of a root system coming from the positive spans of the weights and the roots

Let $(\Delta,V)$ be a root system with a choice of positive roots $\Delta^+$. Denote the $\mathbb{N}_0$-span of the positive roots by $\mathcal{O}^+$, and the $\mathbb{N}_0$-span of the associated ...
1 vote
0 answers
139 views

Integral convex polytopes formed from the weight diagrams of representations of $\mathfrak {sl}_4$($\mathbb{C}$)

I'm a student studying undergraduate abstract algebra and doing a summer research project in the mathematics department at my school. I'm barely familiar with the rudiments of representation theory; I ...
2 votes
0 answers
48 views

Proof of redundancy for defining relation in current algebra $J$ presentation

Let $\mathfrak{g}$ be a simple Lie algebra over $\mathbb{C}$. The $\mathfrak{g}$-current (Lie) algebra is $\mathfrak{g} \otimes \mathbb{C}[t]$, with Lie bracket given by $[a \otimes t^m, b \otimes t^n]...
1 vote
1 answer
114 views

Source for highest weight vectors for $\text{SL}_n(\mathbb{C})$ representations

I have a list of a lot of irreducible $\text{SL}_n(\mathbb{C})$ representations and need to know what all of their highest weight vectors are. For example, using the notation from Fulton and Harris, I ...
1 vote
0 answers
58 views

Can a maximal rank subgroup of a simply connected Lie group have simply connected factors?

$\DeclareMathOperator\SU{SU}\DeclareMathOperator\rank{rank}$Take a simply connected Lie group $G$ such as $\SU(N)$ and a maximal rank subgroup $H$, i.e. $\rank(G) = \rank(H)$. Assume that $H$ takes ...
2 votes
1 answer
88 views

Number of real forms of a (not semisimple, solvable) Lie algebra

Consider the Lie algebra $\mathfrak{r}_2=\mathfrak{aff}(\mathbb{C})$ of the group of affine maps of $\mathbb{C}$, and let $\mathfrak{g}=\mathfrak{r}_2 \oplus \mathfrak{r}_2$. I am interested in ...
2 votes
1 answer
244 views

Decomposition of an $\text{SL}_n(\mathbb{C})$ representation

Let $W = V \oplus V^*$, where $V$ is the standard $\text{SL}_n(\mathbb{C})$ rep and $V^*$ is its dual. I'm ultimately trying to decompose the space $(W \otimes \bigwedge^2 W) / {\bigwedge^3 W}$. This ...
6 votes
2 answers
240 views

What is the highest weight of the representation of special orthogonal group $SO(n)$ on the space of harmonic polynomials $\mathcal H_m(\mathbb R^n)$?

$\DeclareMathOperator\SO{SO}\DeclareMathOperator\diag{diag}$ Let $$ \mathcal{H}_m(\mathbb{R}^n)=\left\{P\in \mathbb{C}[x_1,\dotsc ,x_n]\left| \begin{align} P\text{ is homogeneous of degree }m\text{ ...
3 votes
1 answer
85 views

Restriction of scalar commutes with taking maximal subtorus for semisimple group G

I was wondering such a question: for a semisimple complex Lie group $G$, whether it is true that the maximal subtorus of $\mathrm{Res}_{\mathbb{C}/\mathbb{R}}(G)$ is $\mathrm{Res}_{\mathbb{C}/\mathbb{...
5 votes
1 answer
304 views

Iwasawa decomposition of a non-compact semisimple Lie group?

A (non-compact) symmetric space is of the form $G/K$, where $G$ is a (non-compact) semisimple Lie group defined over $\mathbb{R}$, and $K$ is a maximal compact subgroup of $G$. Let $M = G/K$ be a rank-...
3 votes
0 answers
196 views

A property of an irreducible root system

Let $\Phi$ be an irreducible root system. Let $\alpha_k$ be a simple root. I recently observed that the number of positive roots which are bigger than $\alpha_k$ and of height $m$ is same as the ...
5 votes
1 answer
344 views

Surjection onto endomorphisms of multiplicative group of a field

Let $k$ be an algebraically closed field of characteristic $p > 0$. Denote by $k^\times$ the multiplicative group of $k$. There is a ring homomorphism given by restriction to $k^\times$ $$ \mathbb{...
3 votes
2 answers
433 views

Reflection reverses a root string

I am trying to understand the part of the proof In Fulton's and Harris's Represantation Theory book where he shows that the length of the root string is at most 4: Theorem If $\alpha,\beta$ are roots ...
0 votes
0 answers
61 views

The theory of Groebner bases in Jordan case

There are many papers regarding spreading the theory of Groebner-Shirshov bases from Lie algebras to other nonassociative algebras. Also, it has been studied for associative algebras with operators ...
0 votes
0 answers
90 views

Some details about Kirillov-Kostant Poisson bracket

Let $G$ be a finite dimensional Lie group with Lie algebra $\mathfrak{g}$. The Kirillov-Kostant Poisson bracket on $\mathfrak{g}^*$ is defined as $$\{\cdot ,\cdot \} :C^{\infty}(\mathfrak{g}^*)\times ...
6 votes
1 answer
284 views

Multiplication factors in folding root systems and Lie algebras by automorphisms

When Stembridge, in the paper Folding by automorphisms, considers folding by automorphism $\sigma$ he considers the root system generated by for each orbit $J$. $$\sum_{i \in J} \alpha_i .$$ Whereas ...
13 votes
0 answers
775 views

Is there a reasonable way to define "reductive Lie algebra" in prime characteristic?

Among the finite dimensional Lie algebras over a field of characteristic 0, there is a sensible definition of "reductive Lie algebra" going back at least to the 1960 first chapter of N. Bourbaki's ...
-1 votes
1 answer
125 views

Killing form that is not diagonalizable?

An example Lie algebra $L$ with non-diagonalizable Killing form would have to be non-semisimple, and the Killing form complex. (Otherwise diagonalizability is obvious.) I tried with a few $L$, but (in ...
14 votes
3 answers
1k views

About enveloping algebras of direct sums

This question is imported from MSE. It is linked to this one in the case of semi-direct products. My question Let us consider a Lie $R$-algebra ($R$ is a commutative ring) written as a (module) ...
11 votes
0 answers
437 views

A rather strange algebra

Let $k$ be an algebraic closed field of zero characteristic and $X$ an affine smooth variety, with $A=\mathcal{O}(X)$ the algebra of regular functions and $\mathcal{V}$ the Lie algebra of vector ...
7 votes
1 answer
336 views

Nilpotent orbits of a parabolic subgroup

Suppose $G$ is a reductive group over an algebraically closed field of characteristic $0$ with parabolic $P$, Levi quotient $M$, and unipotent radical $U$. We denote the nilpotent elements of $\mathrm{...
1 vote
1 answer
181 views

Relation between the root lattice of $\mathrm{SO}(7)$ and the root lattice of $G_2$

The root lattice of $\mathfrak{so}(7)$ is given by the following 18 roots: $$ \left(\begin{array}{c}0\\0\\1\end{array}\right) , \left(\begin{array}{c}0\\0\\-1\end{array}\right) , \left(...
6 votes
0 answers
96 views

Kac-Moody algebras of indefinite type

In his very influential book Infinite dimensional Lie algebras, which is still the main reference for Kac-Moody algebras, in section 0.4 of the introduction, Victor Kac discuss the problem of concrete ...
3 votes
1 answer
279 views

Wedderburn–Artin like theorem for infinite dimensional Lie algebras?

The Wedderburn–Artin Theorem is one of the cornerstones of the structure theory of (associative) rings. Wedderburn–Artin Theorem : Let $R$ be a left Artinian ring with zero Jacobson radical. Then $R$ ...
0 votes
0 answers
64 views

Proof of a folkloric result about PI-algebras [duplicate]

I am not not an specialist in PI-algebras, but I can say I have a rather good understanding on the subject. It is, of course, interesting to discover if an algebra $A$ is a PI-algebra. But it is also ...
3 votes
0 answers
201 views

Theorem of highest weight of semisimple Lie algebras: what fails precisely for reductive case

Let $\mathfrak{g}$ a complex semisimple Lie algebra. It is well known that by the theorem of the highest weight, all finite-dimensional complex irreps of $\mathfrak{g}$ are (up to iso) classified by ...
2 votes
0 answers
73 views

Examples of simple infinite dimensional Lie algebras

For the sake of simplicity, my base field will be the complex numbers. My question is simple: what are (preferably natural) examples of infinite dimensional simple Lie algebras? I came up with this ...
2 votes
1 answer
176 views

Isomorphisms $S^d(S^m(V)^*) \cong \Lambda^d(S^{m+d-1}(V)^*)$

$\DeclareMathOperator\SL{SL}$Let $K$ be an algebraically closed field. Let $V$ be a 2-dimensional vector space over $K$. The group $G=\SL_2(K)$ acts naturally on $V$ by left-multiplication on column ...
1 vote
0 answers
50 views

Discrete nonabelian free subgroups of semisimple Lie groups

I understand that the following is a theorem: If $G$ is a noncompact connected semisimple Lie group, then $G$ contains a discrete nonabelian free subgroup. I can find proofs that such a $G$ contains a ...
6 votes
2 answers
194 views

Counting adjoints in the symmetric or antisymmetric square of a Lie group representation

EDIT (November 1, 2022): Over the weekend I think I found a technique to determine the exact multiplicities, according to how conjugation acts on the fundamental weights. While I haven't done the ...
0 votes
0 answers
117 views

An interesting identity involving skew-Schur functions

Denote $\rho=(-\frac12,-\frac32,-\frac52,\dots)$. I was reading this interesting paper, where in particular, the authors claim that one can get the expression in (2.9) \begin{align*} \prod_{k\geq1}(1+...
0 votes
0 answers
51 views

Action of Hopf algebra of identity supported distributions on a Lie group

The Hopf algebra of identity supported distributions on a lie group is cocommutative. It is well known that it is a group object in the category of cocommutative coalgebras. Is there a canonical ...
3 votes
2 answers
331 views

Lie's third theorem via graded geometry

Lie's third theorem : Given any finite dimensional Lie algebra $\mathfrak{g}$, there exists a Lie group $G$ whose Lie algebra is equal to $\mathfrak{g}$. In one of the talks, speaker mentions that ...
1 vote
0 answers
70 views

How can we construct a non-trivial central extension of a Lie group

Let $G$ be a connected and simply connected Lie group with its Lie algebra $\mathfrak{g}$. Assume that $[c]\in H^2 (\mathfrak{g};\mathbb{R})$ is a non-trivial 2-cocycle. Then we can construct a non-...
1 vote
1 answer
256 views

Derivatives and ODEs on Lie groups

I'll keep the question specific to the scenario I'm working with, which is the Lie group SO(3) and its Lie algebra so(3). Consider two rotation matrices $R_0$ and $R_1$, and define $R_t = \exp_{R_1} ((...
2 votes
0 answers
109 views

Whitehead lemma for simplicial Lie algebras

Let $R \to R'$ be a morphism of connected free simplicial Lie algebras. Then the analog of the Whitehead lemma states that if $\pi_* f_{\mathrm{ab}}$ is an isomorphism then $\pi_* f$ is an isomorphism....
20 votes
3 answers
2k views

Where do root systems arise in mathematics?

One often hears that root systems are ubiquitous in mathematics and physics. The most obvious occurrence of root systems is in the classification of complex simple Lie algebras. Where else do they ...
1 vote
0 answers
50 views

Simple highest weight modules of quantum affine algebras

Let $U_q(\hat{\mathfrak g})$ be a quantum affine algebra, and let $L$ be an integrable simple highest weight module of $U_q(\hat{\mathfrak g})$. In [Lu], Lusztig proved that the limit of $L$ when $q\...
4 votes
1 answer
133 views

Second cohomology group of the contact Lie algebra $K_3$

Let $F$ be a field of characteristic zero and, for all $n>0$, consider the contact Lie algebra $K_{2n+1}$. It follows from Corollary 3 of the paper [V. Guillemin - S. Shnider: Some stable results ...
4 votes
3 answers
275 views

Does every nilpotent lie in the span of simple root vectors?

Let $G$ be a reductive group (for simplicity, we can work over $\mathbb{C}$). Let $N \in \operatorname{Lie} G$ be nilpotent. Does there exist a Borel pair $(B,T)$ of $G$ such that $N$ lies in the span ...
2 votes
1 answer
165 views

Trivial representation of a maximal torus

Let G be a connected compact Lie group and $T\subset G$ a maximal torus. For an irreducible representation $V_\lambda$ of $G$, the multiplicity of the trivial representation of $T$ in $V_\lambda$ is ...
1 vote
0 answers
79 views

Extension of a type A Springer fibre

Given a decomposition $p=(p_1,\dots,p_n)$ of $n$, one can associate its corresponding partial flag variety $$\mathcal{B}_p=\{F=(0=F_0\subset F_1\subset \dots \subset F_n=\mathbb{C}^n) \mid \dim F_i/F_{...
6 votes
1 answer
174 views

Does the first fundamental representation of $\frak{sp}_n$ generates all the other fundamental representations

Let $\mathfrak{sp_n}$ be the symplectic Lie algebra, that is, the $C_n$ complex simple Lie algebra. Is it true that the first fundamental, which is to say the vector space, representation $V_1$ of $\...
3 votes
0 answers
120 views

In how many ways does a Lie algebra decompose as an orthogonal direct sum of Cartans?

For a prime $p$, the Lie algebra $\mathfrak{su}(p)$ can be decomposed into an orthogonal direct sum of $p+1$ Cartan subalgebras as follows. Consider the clock and shift matrices — these are a pair of ...
18 votes
1 answer
686 views

$8 \times 31 = 8 \times 31$?

The Lie algebra $\mathfrak{e}_8$ has (at least) two ways to be written as a direct sum of $31$ Cartan subalgebras. First, Thompson and Smith showed that the (compact or complex) Lie group $\mathrm{E}...
8 votes
0 answers
228 views

Chevalley-Solomon formula and Weyl character formula

Let $\Phi\subset V$ be a root system of rank $r$ with Weyl group $W$, a choice of positive roots $\Phi_+$ and exponents $d_1, \ldots, d_r$ (i.e. the invariant algebra $(\operatorname{Sym}^\bullet V)^W$...
6 votes
1 answer
225 views

Does every Lie algebra appear as centralizer of an element in a semisimple Lie algebra?

Given a finite dimensional, complex, semisimple (fcss) Lie algebra $\mathfrak{g}$ and an element $x\in\mathfrak{g}$, denote by $\mathfrak{g}^x$ the centralizer of $x$ in $\mathfrak{g}$ i.e. the set $\{...
17 votes
0 answers
1k views

Relations in a certain Lie algebra

Let ${\mathfrak g}$ be the (real) Lie algebra generated by infinitely many generators $D_i, E_i$ with $i=1,2,3,\dots$ subject to the following relations for any natural numbers $i,j$: \begin{gather*} [...

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