All Questions
2,633 questions
9
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Root systems and sums of squares
It is easy to see that the quadratic form for the root system $A_n$ is a sum of $n+1$ squares of integral linear forms:
$$q_{A_n} = 2 \sum_{i=1}^n x_i^2 - 2 \sum_{i=1}^{n-1} x_i x_{i+1} =
x_1^2 + (...
9
votes
2
answers
481
views
Is there a nice q-analogue of the Jacobi identity in a quantized enveloping algebra?
In a Lie algebra $\mathfrak{g}$ the Jacobi identity $\newcommand{\bracket}[2]{\left[#1\,#2\right]} \bracket{x}{\bracket{y}{z}} + \bracket{z}{\bracket{x}{y}} + \bracket{y}{\bracket{z}{x}} = 0$ holds. ...
9
votes
3
answers
577
views
Reference Request: Structure constants for G2
Let $G$ be a split semisimple real Lie group in characteristic zero, and let $B=TU$ be a Borel subgroup with unipotent radical $U$ and Levi $T$. Fix an ordering on the roots $\Phi^+$ of $T$ in $U$, ...
9
votes
1
answer
863
views
Are there noncommutative extensions of $\alpha_p$ by $\mathbb{G}_m$?
Let $k$ be a field of characteristic $p > 0$ (algebraically closed, if you want; that doesn't make a difference). Consider a finite type $k$-group scheme $E$ that is a (central) extension of $\...
9
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Relative Lie Algebra cohomology and sheaf cohomology
(I apologize in advance for the vagueness of my question). Let $G$ be a reductive algebraic group over $\mathbb C$ with Lie algebra $\frak g$ and Borel $B$. I have seen casual references to the fact ...
9
votes
2
answers
1k
views
ad-nilpotent degree of a nilpotent Lie Algebra
Let $\mathfrak{g}$ be a Lie Algebra (finite dimensional, over $\mathbb{C}$). Engel's theorem tells us that if there exists a $m\in \mathbb{N}$ such that $\mathrm{ad}(x)^m = 0$, $\forall x\in \mathfrak{...
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 \...
9
votes
2
answers
626
views
Does any identity holding in all finite-dimensional Lie algebras hold in all Lie algebras?
Equivalently, is the free Lie algebra on finitely many generators over a fixed field $k$ (say of characteristic not equal to $2$) residually finite-dimensional in the sense that any nonzero element ...
9
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Jordan Form Over a Polynomial Ring
Let $X$ be the set of $k\times k$ matrix with entries in $\mathbb{C}$, and let $M\in X$. The group $GL(k,\mathbb{C})$ acts on $X$ by conjugation, and according to the Jordan decomposition theorem (...
9
votes
2
answers
877
views
On nilpotency of the derived subalgebra of a solvable Lie algebra
Using Engel's Theorem and Lie's Theorem, one can easily establish the following result:
Let $ \frak{g} $ be a finite-dimensional Lie algebra over an algebraically closed field $ \mathbb{F} $ of ...
9
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Sign conventions for a Chevalley basis of a simple complex Lie algebra
Let $R$ be the root system of a simple complex Lie algebra $g$ with respect to some Cartan subalgebra $h$. Chevalley showed there is a basis of $g$ given by the simple coroots {$H_{\alpha_i}=\alpha_i^...
9
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Fundamental representations and weight space dimension
For the Lie algebra $\frak{sl}_n$, its fundamental representations can be realised as the exterior powers of the first fundamental representation. From this we can see that their weight spaces are all ...
9
votes
2
answers
899
views
Quadratic Casimir of fundamental irreps of simply-laced Lie algebras
I have the following question, motivated by the expression for the character of level 1 highest weight integrable representations of simply-laced affine algebras (in terms of the string function). It ...
9
votes
1
answer
763
views
Restriction theorems over finite fields
A short while ago, Dvir proved the Kakeya conjecture over finite fields. Does this have any implications for restriction theorems over finite fields? I am aware only of implications going in the ...
9
votes
2
answers
378
views
Reference for an old result of P. M. Cohn
As it was shown by Malcev, unlike the commutative case, in which every domain can be embedded in a field, there are noncommutative domains that can't be embedded in a division ring.
For noncommutative ...
9
votes
2
answers
658
views
Number of reduced decompositions of the longest element of the Weyl group
Let $R$ be a reduced root system, $W$ the associated Weyl group, and $w_0 \in W$ the longest element of $W$. In general $w_0$ admits more than one reduced decomposition into a product of reflections, ...
9
votes
2
answers
644
views
The actual Satake diagram EIV
In table 9 of "Lie groups and algebraic groups" (1990) [OV], Onishchik and Vinberg present the Satake diagrams. The diagram corresponding to EIV has the "orthogonal" node blackened.
In table 4 of "Lie ...
9
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Top chern class in positive characteristic
Given a nonsingular, projective variety $X$ of dimension $n$ over an algebraically closed field $k$.
Over $k=\mathbb{C}$, the top chern class $c_n(T_X)$ of the tangent sheaf is the Euler ...
9
votes
1
answer
373
views
Is the Magnus Lie algebra of a finitely presented group finitely presented
Let $G$ be a finitely presented group and let $L(G)$ be the Magnus Lie algebra associated to the lower central series of $G$. This $L(G)$ is a graded Lie ring generated by its degree 1 piece $L_1(G) =...
9
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Which representations of $\mathfrak{sl}(2)$ are homomorphic images of the tensor product of finitely many copies of $\mathbb{C}^2$?
My questions may turn out to be related to Schur functors.
If $\mathfrak{g}$ is a complex semisimple Lie algebra and $\lambda$ is the highest weight of an irreducible representation $V$ of $\mathfrak{...
9
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Easy argument for "connected simple real rank zero Lie groups are compact"?
Let $G$ be a connected simple Lie group. It is known that if $G$ has real rank zero, then $G$ is compact.
Background: every connected (semi)simple Lie group $G$ (with Lie algebra $\mathfrak{g}$) has ...
9
votes
2
answers
863
views
Is the Duflo map for Lie algs. unique ?
The Duflo map is the map S(g) -> U(g), which known to satisfy the following properties:
1) identity on g
2) isomorphism of g-modules (and in particular vector spaces)
3) restricted to Poisson ...
9
votes
1
answer
247
views
Must a continuous variation through compact simply connected Lie groups preserve topology
Let $V$ be a finite dimensional vector space over $\mathbb{R}$. Let $S$ be the vector space of multilinear maps from $V\times V$ to $V$. Let $L:\mathbb{I}\rightarrow S$ be a continuous map such that ...
9
votes
1
answer
737
views
Del Pezzo surfaces and Picard-Lefschetz theory
Let $X$ be a smooth compact del Pezzo surface. For instance, one can consider the most classical case of a cubic surface. It is well known that the Picard lattice of $X$ is related to a root system (...
9
votes
1
answer
880
views
Exponential map of a Formal Group Scheme
Let $k$ be a field of characteristic $0$ and let $\mathfrak{g}$ be a finite dimensional Lie algebra over $k$. $\mathfrak{g}$ corresponds to a formal group scheme $\mathcal{G} = \text{Spf} (U(\mathfrak{...
9
votes
1
answer
545
views
Polynomial invariants for simple algebraic groups
Let $G$ be a simple complex algebraic group. Let $V$ be a finite-dimensional algebraic representation of $G$. Thus, we can write $V=V_1\oplus \cdots \oplus V_n$ where $V_i$'s are irreducible ...
9
votes
1
answer
1k
views
deformation theory in positive characteristic
The idea "Formal deformation theory in characteristic zero is controlled by a differential graded Lie algebra (dgla)" goes back to Goldman-Millson, Deligne, Drinfeld among others; see Lurie's ICM talk....
9
votes
3
answers
817
views
A positive formula for the dimensions of homogeneous components of free Lie algebras
The homogeneous component of degree $k$ in the free Lie algebra $\mathfrak{Lie}(x_1,\dots,x_n)$ in $n$ letters is of dimension $$g_n(k)=\frac{1}{k}\sum_{d|k}\mu(d)n^{k/d}.$$ This is also the number of ...
9
votes
1
answer
804
views
Symmetric Powers for Lie Algebras
Let $V_\lambda$ be the irreducible representation of $sl_{n}(\mathfrak{C})$ with highest weight $\lambda$. There are well known formulas for the decomposition of $V_\lambda^{\otimes^k}= V_\lambda\...
9
votes
1
answer
497
views
Highest weight representations of Kac—Moody algebras: what is inside the weight spaces?
Let $V(\lambda)$ be the unique irreducible representation of a Kac—Moody algebra $\mathfrak{g}$ with the highest weight $\lambda$. If $\mathfrak{g}$ is not of finite type, then even for $\lambda$ one ...
9
votes
1
answer
437
views
$U\left(\mathfrak a\right) \otimes_{U\left(\mathfrak a\cap\mathfrak b\right)} U\left(\mathfrak b\right) \cong U\left(\mathfrak a + \mathfrak b\right)$ over a ring containing $\mathbb{Q}$
While the Poincaré-Birkhoff-Witt theorem is usually proven (and sometimes even formulated) for free modules only, it is known (see also here) that it holds for arbitrary modules if the ground ring is ...
9
votes
2
answers
868
views
Nakano vanishing in positive characteristic
Let $X$ be a smooth projective variety defined over a field $k$.
In characteristic zero, the following is a special case of the (Kodaira-Akizuki-)Nakano vanishing theorem:
$(\ast) \quad$ $\mathrm H^...
9
votes
1
answer
833
views
Endomorphism ring of simple ordinary abelian variety
Is there an example of an ordinary and simple abelian variety $A$ over an algebraically closed field $K$ (of characteristic $p>0$) such that ${\rm End}(A)$ is not commutative? Note that the answer ...
9
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Examples of Richardson orbit closures not having a symplectic resolution?
This is a follow-up to a recent question asked by Peter Crooks here. The answer by Ben Webster includes a helpful link to the corrected arXiv version of Baohua Fu's 2003 Invent. Math. paper ...
9
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Getting the story of Dynkin and Satake diagrams straight
I've been trying to teach myself the theory of Lie groups. The sources I've been reading reference Lie algebras in the context of Dynkin and Satake diagrams, but not Lie groups (which I am more ...
9
votes
3
answers
1k
views
What is a Homotopy between $L_\infty$-algebra morphisms II
I would like to continue on question I asking, what is a homotopy between
Lie infinity algebras, since I'm not satisfied in two directions:
1.) The naive approach to define a homotopy would be ('...
9
votes
1
answer
1k
views
How to get Haar measure on a compact Lie group, given the complexification?
This is the first in what may be a series of questions on the theme "a Banach algebraist/Bear Of Little Brain needs help with algebraic geometry".
$\newcommand{\Cplx}{{\mathbb C}}\newcommand{\fg}{{\...
9
votes
1
answer
566
views
algorithm for calculating the Chow groups of a variety over a finite field
Is there an algorithm for calculating the Chow groups of a variety over a finite field?
It is know that $H^{2i,i}_\mathrm{mot}(X,\mathbf{Z}) = CH^i(X)$. In how many cases does this help us?
9
votes
1
answer
546
views
Showing subgroups with equal Lie algebras are equal
Let $k$ be a field. It might as well be algebraically closed, but I do not want to assume that it has characteristic $0$. I will write "group" for "affine group scheme over $k$", ...
9
votes
2
answers
789
views
Bender-Knuth involutions for symplectic (King) tableaux
First let me recall the combinatorial theory of the characters of $\mathfrak{gl}_m$, a.k.a., Schur polynomials. For a partition $\lambda$, a semistandard Young tableaux of shape $\lambda$ is a filling ...
9
votes
1
answer
386
views
Different definitions of formality for groups
Let $X$ be a space with fundamental group $G$. Recall that the de Rham fundamental group of $X$ is the inverse limit of the Malcev completions of the nilpotent truncations of $G$. This has a Lie ...
9
votes
1
answer
455
views
Is this sequence of Lie algebra cohomology a part of spectral sequence?
There is an exact sequence
$$0 \to H^2(\mathfrak{g}, k) \to H^1(\mathfrak{g}, \mathfrak{g}^*) \to H^0(\mathfrak{g}, S^2\mathfrak{g}) \xrightarrow{d} H^3(\mathfrak{g}, k) \to H^2(\mathfrak{g}, \...
9
votes
2
answers
317
views
Constructing symmetric invariants of the exceptional simple Lie algebra as restrictions
Let $\mathfrak{g}$ be a complex simple Lie algebra with maximal torus $\mathfrak{h}$, Weyl group $W$. The adjoint representation $\operatorname{ad} : \mathfrak{g} \rightarrow \mathfrak{gl(g)}$ extends ...
9
votes
1
answer
2k
views
I don't get a part of Bernstein's / Deligne-Morgan's proof of Poincaré-Birkhoff-Witt
Question: I am talking about the proof given on pages 50-52 of Pierre Deligne, Pavel Etingof, Daniel S. Freed, Lisa C. Jeffrey, David Kazhdan, John W. Morgan, David R. Morrison, and Edward Witten (...
9
votes
1
answer
977
views
Kazhdan-Lusztig graph for the Springer fiber of the minimal special unipotent class?
This graph was determined in the case of simply-laced root systems by Igor Dolgachev and Norman Goldstein here. For other root systems the original question should be modified, leading to a precise ...
9
votes
1
answer
777
views
Geometric (or intuitive) interpretation of additional derivatives in characteristic p > 0
In characteristic $p > 0$ there are "extra" differential operators, i.e., ones that are outside the algebra generated by first-order derivations.
Is there any interpretation of these operators in ...
9
votes
1
answer
161
views
Eigenfunctions of the Laplace–Beltrami operator on the coadjoint orbit of $\mathfrak{su}(n)$
$\DeclareMathOperator\SU{SU}$For $\mathfrak{su}(2,\mathbb{C})$, the generic coadjoint orbit is $\mathbb{S}^2$, and the Laplace–Beltrami operator on it is given by
$$
\Delta \equiv \frac{1}{\sin\theta} ...
9
votes
1
answer
381
views
Lifting of families of curves to characteristic 0
Let $k$ be a finite field, $X_0$ be a smooth affine variety over $k$ and $C\rightarrow X$ a smooth projective family of curves of genus $\geq 2$.
By a result of Elkik we can always lift $X_0$ to a ...
9
votes
1
answer
445
views
Young tableaux for exceptional Lie algebras
Irreducible representations for the $A$-series Lie algebras are labelled Young diagrams, with a basis of each given by Young tableaux. Moreover, analogues exist for the $B,C$, and $D$ series.
Does ...
9
votes
1
answer
338
views
Does the normal ordered product on differential operators lift to $U\left(\mathfrak{gl}_n\right)$?
Let $n\in\mathbb N$. Let $k$ be a commutative ring in which $1,2,3,\ldots$ are invertible. Let $\Omega$ denote the $k$-algebra of polynomial differential operators on $n$ variables $x_1$, $x_2$, ..., $...