A Clifford algebra approach to real simple Lie algebras with reduced root system (Q1433439)

In this paper, the classification of real simple Lie algebras with reduced root system is obtained by a new technique which employs the theory of Clifford algebras. It is shown that for a fixed Cartan decomposition \(\mathfrak{g}=\mathfrak{k\oplus p}\) of \(\mathfrak{g}\), the structure of the centralizer \(\mathfrak{m}=\text{cent}_{\mathfrak{p}}\left( \mathfrak{a}\right) \) can be deduced from the isomorphisms of compact matrix groups and the classification of Clifford algebras, \(\mathfrak{a}\) being a maximal subalgebra of the subspace \(\mathfrak{p}\). The multiplicity formulae for the roots are also obtained. The description of the real algebras is based on the analysis of the rank two case previously established, and the key point for this approach is the generalization of a observation by \textit{A. Korányi} [Adv. Math. 56, 28-38 (1985; Zbl 0589.53053)] that the Iwasawa nilpotent subalgebra of a real rank one algebra \(\mathfrak{g}\) is in fact a \(H\)-type algebra \textit{A. Kaplan} [Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 258, 147--153 (1980; Zbl 0393.35015)]. This paper constitutes a continuation and complement of preceding papers by the author on the topic [\textit{P. Ciatti}, Banach Cent. Publ. 55, 227--252 (2002; Zbl 1016.43002), Math. Z. 244, No.1, 35--46 (2003; Zbl 1125.17304)]