Symmetric representations of algebras with involution (Q1179601)

Let \(\Lambda\) be an algebra with involution over a field \(K\) and let \(V\) be a vector space over \(K\) with a nondegenerate \(\varepsilon\)-Hermitian form. A representation \(\varphi:\Lambda\to\text{End}(V)\) is symmetric if to a conjugate element there is assigned the conjugate linear operator: \(\varphi(\lambda^*)=\varphi(\lambda)^*\). It is proved that the problem of classifying the symmetric representations over a field \(K\) of characteristic \(\neq 2\) is reduced to the problem of classifying (i) usual representations of the algebra \(\Lambda\) and (ii) Hermitian forms over a skew field extension of \(K\). This reduction is based on the author's earlier work [Izv. Akad. Nauk SSSR, Ser. Mat. 51, No. 6, 1170-1190 (1987; Zbl 0653.15006)] but it can also be obtained from Theorem 10.9 of \textit{W. Scharlau} [Quadratic and Hermitian forms (1985; Zbl 0584.10010), Chap. 7]. The reduction is applied to symmetric representations of algebras with involution in unitary, Euclidean and complex Euclidean spaces.