All Questions
298 questions
60
votes
8
answers
13k
views
Why the Killing form?
I'm teaching a short summer course on algebraic groups and it's time to talk about the Killing form on the Lie algebra. The students are all undergrads of varying levels of inexperience, and I try to ...
- 7,273
53
votes
5
answers
8k
views
Beautiful descriptions of exceptional groups
I'm curious about the beautiful descriptions of exceptional simple complex Lie groups and algebras (and maybe their compact forms). By beautiful I mean: simple (not complicated - it means that we need ...
- 1,422
38
votes
18
answers
24k
views
Learning about Lie groups
Can someone suggest a good book for teaching myself about Lie groups? I study algebraic geometry and commutative algebra, and I like lots of examples. Thanks.
33
votes
3
answers
6k
views
When is a finite dimensional real or complex Lie Group not a matrix group
I have a smattering of knowledge and disconnected facts about this question, so I would like to clarify the following discussion, and I also seek references and citations supporting this knowledge. ...
- 1,161
27
votes
1
answer
891
views
Why do the adjoint representations of three exceptional groups have the same first eight moments?
For a representation of a compact Lie group, the $n$th moment of the trace of that representation against the Haar measure is the dimension of the invariant subspace of the $n$th tensor power. The ...
- 148k
24
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Lie groups generated by finitely many Lie algebra elements
Let $G$ be a connected Lie group with Lie algebra $\mathfrak{g}$. A standard fact is that $G$ is generated by $\exp(\mathfrak{g})$, i.e. every $g \in G$ can be written as $g=\exp(x_1)\cdots\exp(x_n)$ ...
- 443
21
votes
2
answers
727
views
On a drawing in Dixmier's Enveloping Algebras
This image
comes from Dixmier's book, 'Enveloping Algebras' ('Algèbres enveloppantes').
Dixmier writes that
The curves shown on p. XIV have their origin in the study of U(sl(3)).
They are due ...
- 443
21
votes
6
answers
2k
views
How do I stop worrying about root systems and decomposition theorems (for reductive groups)?
I apologize for this being a very very vague question.
Just as personal experience, I never feel that I fully grasped the theory of root systems in Lie algebras and Lie/algebraic groups (I shall ...
- 229
21
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Is every finite-dimensional Lie algebra the Lie algebra of a closed linear Lie group?
This question is closely related to this one.
Ado's theorem states that given a finite-dimensional Lie algebra $\mathfrak g$, there exists a faithful representation $\rho\colon\mathfrak g \to \...
- 1,050
19
votes
5
answers
4k
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 construction of the ...
- 2,123
19
votes
5
answers
2k
views
Is there a formula for the Frobenius-Schur indicator of a rep of a Lie group?
Let $G$ be a simple algebraic group group over $\mathbb C$.
Let $V$ be a self-dual representation of $G$.
Let $\lambda$ be the highest weight of $V$.
Write $\lambda$ as a sum of fundamental weights: $...
- 43.2k
17
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Is every Lie subgroup of GL(V) isomorphic to a (maybe another) closed subgroup of GL(V)?
I am gathering material for an exposition and I note that some texts (e.g. Ise and Takeuchi, "Lie Groups I & II", Stillwell, "Naive Lie Theory", Hall, "Lie Groups, Lie Algebras, and ...
- 1,161
16
votes
0
answers
188
views
Representation theory of Pin groups
I am (still) thinking about branching rules from $\mathfrak{so}(n+m)$ to $\mathfrak{so}(n) \oplus \mathfrak{so}(m)$, using Proctor's paper as the starting point.
Proctor describes this rule for $m = 2$...
- 1,574
15
votes
2
answers
416
views
Constructing $E_8$ from its branching to $A_8$
Background/motivation: One of the usual constructions of [the adjoint representation of] the $E_8$ exceptional Lie group (found, e.g., in J. F. Adams's, "Lectures on Exceptional Lie Groups", esp. chap....
- 32.5k
12
votes
5
answers
4k
views
Weight lattice and the fundamental group
Let $G$ be a compact connected Lie group and let $T$ be a maximal torus of $G$, with Lie algebras $\frak{g}$ and $\frak{t}$ respectively. Then, $\frak{t}$ can be considered as a Cartan subalgebra of $...
- 1,219
12
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Real and quaternionic representations according to weights
According to this question, it is easy to know whether a (complex, finite-dimensional) representation is self-dual or not: just check if the weight distribution in space is symmetric about the origin.
...
- 2,091
12
votes
1
answer
392
views
Non-conjugate subgroups that are conjugate in complexification
In trying to come up with a counter-example in my line of research, I would like to find an example as follows:
$G$ is a semisimple Lie group with complexification $G^{\mathbb{C}}$. $H_1, H_2 \...
- 471
11
votes
3
answers
2k
views
HIgher Homotopy Groups and Representation Theory
Let $G$ be a compact Lie group, and $g$ its associated Lie algebra.
In what ways do the higher homotopy groups $\pi_{n}(G)$ with $n>1$ appear in the representation theory of $G$?
As an example, ...
- 2,097
11
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Realizing a subgroup of a Lie group as a stabilizer subgroup
Let $G$ a compact semisimple Lie group, $H$ a subgroup of $G$. Is it always possible to find an irreducible representation $R$ of $G$ such that the stabilizer of an $x\in R$ is "locally isomorphic" to ...
- 679
11
votes
1
answer
571
views
Diagram folding of simple Lie algebras
A non-simply laced simple root system can be constructed from the simply-laced root system by folding the Dynkin diagram and hence the corresponding non-simply-laced Lie algebra can be constructed by ...
- 673
11
votes
2
answers
881
views
From Weyl groups to Weyl groupoids?
I'm trying to find a framework where the choices in the classical construction of a root system of a semi-simple lie algebra are not needed.
Let $\mathfrak{g}$ be a semisimple lie algebra.
...
- 7,789
11
votes
0
answers
432
views
Connection between Gelfand-Tsetlin basis and SSYT basis in Schur module
Consider an $n$-dimensional complex vector space $V$ with a chosen basis $e_1,\ldots,e_n$. This basis defines a Cartan decompostion of $GL(V)\cong GL_n$ and for an (integral dominant) highest weight $\...
- 3,513
10
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Quotient space of $\mathbb{C}^5$ under the action of $SL(2,\mathbb{C})$
One sees that given the $SL(2,\mathbb{C})$ action on $\mathbb{C}^5$, thought of as the space of polynomials of the form,
$$a_0 x^4 + 4a_1 x^3 y + 6a_2x^2y^2 + 4a_3xy^3 + a_4 y^4$$
the ring of ...
- 3,541
10
votes
0
answers
292
views
Each simple real Lie algebra as a representation of its maximal compact subalgebra
I am interested in a detailed description of the Cartan decomposition of each type of simple, real, finite-dimensional Lie algebra. (This is essentially a question about the classification of simple, ...
- 56.6k
9
votes
3
answers
576
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 $U$, ...
- 6,180
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 ...
- 643
9
votes
1
answer
543
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 ...
- 2,751
9
votes
1
answer
444
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 ...
- 835
9
votes
0
answers
161
views
Can semisimple orbits be written $\exp(\mathfrak{g})\cdot x$?
Let $\mathfrak{g}$ be a complex semisimple Lie algebra and let $G$ be its adjoint group. If $x\in\mathfrak{g}^{rs}$ is a regular semisimple element, is its orbit
$$G\cdot x=\{\mathrm{Ad}_gx:g\in G\}$$
...
- 1,383
9
votes
0
answers
470
views
Branching rules for compact Lie groups
Let $G$ be a compact connected Lie group, and let $H\subset G$ be a closed subgroup. For an irreducible representation $\pi:G\to\mathrm{End}_\mathbb{C}(V)$ of $G$ ($\dim\pi<\infty$) I want to know ...
- 1,959
8
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Lie algebras to classify Lie groups
What does the classification of Complex Semi-simple Lie algebras buy us in terms of classifying Lie groups? Certainly it classifies complex semi-simple lie groups but can we get any better? I know we ...
- 81
8
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Does $SU(N)$ have pseudo-real representation?
For $N\ge 2$, does $SU(N)$ have a non-real pseudo-real irreducible representation? (The adjoint representation of $SU(N)$ is real).
A (complex, finite-dimensional) representation $R:SU(N)\to GL_n(\...
- 169
8
votes
2
answers
436
views
Infinite Krull-Schmidt categories?
In a Krull--Schmidt category, if
$$
X_{1}\oplus X_{2}\oplus \cdots \oplus X_{r}\cong Y_{1}\oplus Y_{2}\oplus \cdots \oplus Y_{s},
$$
where the $X_{i}$ and $Y_j$ are all indecomposable, then $r = s$, ...
- 643
8
votes
1
answer
3k
views
The Quotients $SO(n)/SO(n-1)$, $O(n)/O(n-1)$ and $SO(n)/O(n−1)$
The branching laws for the restricted representation of $SO(n)$ with respect to the subgroup $SO(n-1)$ are discussed in this Wikipedia article. Am I correct in reading from this that any given ...
- 449
8
votes
2
answers
619
views
Relationship between $q$-Weyl dimension formula and $q$-analog of weight multiplicity?
$\DeclareMathOperator\dim{dim}$For a dominant (integral) weight $\lambda$ and any (integral) weight $\mu$ of a simple Lie algebra $\mathfrak{g}$, Lusztig's $q$-analog of weight multiplicty $K_{\lambda,...
- 24.2k
8
votes
2
answers
462
views
The action of $GL_{\infty}$ on the infinite wedge space
This is a question from the book "Highest weight representations of infinite dimensional Lie algebras, 2nd ed" by V. G. Kac, A. K. Raina, and N. Rozhkovskaya.
Consider the following objects:
the ...
- 671
8
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Killing form vs its counterpart in a given represenation
Let $\mathfrak{g}$ be a semi-simple Lie algebra and let $\phi:\mathfrak{g}\rightarrow\mathfrak{gl}(V)$ be its finite-dimensional complex irreducible representation. You can define two non-degenerate ...
- 965
8
votes
0
answers
382
views
Significance of half sum of non-simple positive roots
In representation theory, there are plenty of places that a $\rho$-shift makes an appearance, where $\rho$ is the half sum of positive roots. See, for instance, this post for some discussions of the ...
- 2,751
8
votes
0
answers
411
views
Which representations of the Lie algebra of a Lie group come from representations of the group itself?
I think this is very classic mathematics, but I can't find a complete answer in the literature.
Let $G$ be a Lie group, $\mathfrak{g}$ the Lie algebra of $\mathfrak{g}$. Suppose $\rho : \mathfrak{g} \...
- 1,586
7
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Representation ring of SU(n)?
What's the structure of representation ring of SU(n)?
What are the representations of generators?
- 3,804
7
votes
2
answers
418
views
About the map $S(\mathfrak{g}^ * )^G\rightarrow S(\mathfrak{h}^ * )^H$ for $H < G$
Let $G$ be a compact connected semisimple Lie group, $\mathfrak{g}$ be its complexified Lie algebra and $\mathfrak{g}^*$ its complex dual space. We can form the symmetric algebra $S(\mathfrak{g}^ * ) $...
- 9,019
7
votes
3
answers
599
views
Root system of fixed point Lie sub-algebra
It is known that a non-simply laced simple root system can be constructed from the simply-laced root system by folding the Dynkin diagram and hence the corresponding non-simply-laced Lie algebra can ...
- 103
7
votes
2
answers
775
views
Why is the generalized flag variety a “variety”?
In several places (for example, Chriss & Ginzburg’s book “Representation Theory and Complex Geometry”), the author says that the set $X$ of Borel subalgebras of a semi-simple Lie algebra $\...
- 159
7
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Characterising the adjoint representation of SU(N)
One can show that the adjoint representation of $\mathrm{SU}(n)$, the image of the map $\mathrm{Ad}:\mathrm{SU}(n) \rightarrow \mathrm{Aut}(\mathrm{su(n)})\subset \mathrm{GL}(\mathrm{su}(n))$, is an $...
- 71
7
votes
1
answer
426
views
Lie algebra "generated" by matrix-valued curve?
Let $A(t)$ be a $n\times n$-matrix-valued continuous (plus possibly other niceness conditions; see below) curve, with the matrix entries being complex in general. If I am not mistaken, $A(t)$ ...
- 784
7
votes
1
answer
606
views
Motivating the existence of Canonical Bases for Representations
In Representation Theory, the theme of the existence of a canonical basis has been explored quite a lot. I will limit myself in this question to the kind of canonical bases that arise from the ...
- 1,073
7
votes
1
answer
1k
views
When is the Ad (Adjoint Representation) Morphism a Closed Map
Given a Lie group $\mathfrak{G}$ with finite centre and with Lie algebra $\mathfrak{g}$, I am looking at a simple proof that negative definite Killing form implies compactness. This proof is given ...
- 1,161
7
votes
1
answer
740
views
Infinite dimensional representations of $\frak{sl}_2$
The finite-dimensional representations of a complex semisimple Lie algebra $\frak{g}$ are well known to be classifiable by their highest weight vectors, giving a convenient countable indexing set. I ...
- 257
7
votes
2
answers
668
views
Branching laws for $SO(n)$
The branching laws for the $SO(n-1)$ as a subgroup of $SO(n)$ are well known and easy to find. See for example the Wikipedia article:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restricted_representation#...
- 71
7
votes
1
answer
323
views
Are there natural isomorphisms $S^{(2,1)}(k^{m+1})\cong k^2\otimes W$?
In this popular 2019 MO question, user მამუკა ჯიბლაძე asked:
The spaces $\operatorname{S}^2(k^n)$ and $\Lambda^2(k^{n+1})$ from the title have equal dimensions. Is there a natural isomorphism between ...
- 492