\(N\)-commutators (Q1884762): Difference between revisions

Consider an associative algebra of differential operators in \(n\) indeterminates (with smooth or polynomial coefficients) with respect to composition. Its subspace \(W(n)\) of vector fields (i.e. first-order differential operators) constitutes a famous Lie algebra of general Cartan type with respect to commutator. This fact can be reformulated by saying that \(W(n)\) is closed under \(s_2\), where \[ s_k (t_1, \dots, t_k) = \sum_{\sigma\in S(k)} (-1)^\sigma t_{\sigma(1)} \dots t_{\sigma(n)} \] is a skew-symmetrization operator. The question considered in this paper is for which values of \(k\), \(W(n)\) (as well as other Lie algebras of Cartan type) is closed under \(s_k\). The author conjectures this is true if and only if \(k = n^2 + 2n - 2\), proves the ``if'' part and provides many particular calculations supporting the ``only if'' part of the conjecture. It turns out that sometimes it is more convenient to represent \(s_k\) and related expressions in terms of the right-symmetric product on \(W(n)\) defined as \[ u \partial_i \circ v \partial_j = v \partial_j(u) \partial_i. \] The paper is loaded with heavy calculations which are presented in an ordered and organized manner, and vividly illustrate the interplay of different topics: \(n\)-Lie algebras, identities and cohomology of Lie algebras of Cartan type, right-symmetric algebras. The author was aided in his work by computer experiments on which he unfortunately not elaborates. This is an interesting and thought-provoking paper. A preprint version of this paper is available as {arXiv:math.RA/0203036}.