Graded nilpotent Lie algebras in low dimensions (Q1967149): Difference between revisions

The author classifies all graded nilpotent Lie algebras up to dimension \(7\) over the real and complex numbers. This is motivated by the study of filtered manifolds, introduced by \textit{N. Tanaka} [J. Math. Kyoto Univ. 10, 1--82 (1970; Zbl 0206.50503)]. The problem of classifying nilpotent Lie algebras over the complex numbers appears to have been first considered by \textit{K. A. Umlauf} in 1891 [Diss. Leipzig, JFM 24.0333.04]. (The reviewer is indebted to Mike Newman for this and other references.) Umlauf was able to classify nilpotent Lie algebras up to dimension 6 (and in some cases up to 9) over the complex numbers. The key ingredient in the present classification is an algorithm to construct all graded, nilpotent Lie algebras. This is homological in nature, and is a natural analogue of the \(p\)-group generation algorithm: see the papers by \textit{M. F. Newman} [Group Theory, Proc. Miniconf. Canberra 1975, Lect. Notes Math. 573, 73--84 (1977; Zbl 0519.20018)] and \textit{E. A. O'Brien} [J. Symb. Comput. 9, 677-698 (1990; Zbl 0736.20001)]. An implementation of the extension part of this algorithm for graded Lie algebras (over a field of prime order) is given in \textit{G. Havas, M. F. Newman} and \textit{M. R. Vaughan-Lee} [J. Symb. Comput. 9, 653--664 (1990; Zbl 0716.17001)]. The notion of (Cartan) prolongation [see \textit{N. Tanaka}, J. Math. Soc. Japan 19, 215--254 (1967; Zbl 0165.56002)] is then used to extend the results to graded, but not necessarily nilpotent, Lie algebras. In the literature there exist related classifications for non-graded algebras. (The graded case is of enough interest in itself, though, and so are the methods employed in the paper under review to deal with it.) Two suitable recent references are the book by \textit{M. Goze} and \textit{Y. Khakimdjanov} [Nilpotent Lie algebras. Mathematics and its Applications. Vol. 361. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers (1996; Zbl 0845.17012)] and the paper by \textit{C. Seeley} [Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 335, 479-496 (1993; Zbl 0770.17003)], where the nilpotent Lie algebras of dimension 7 over the complex numbers are determined. Seeley's paper contains a useful overview of the previous literature on the subject.