Enveloping algebras of simple three-dimensional Lie algebras (Q1185962)

Let \(L\) be a simple 3-dimensional Lie algebra with basis \(x\), \(y\), \(z\). This basis can always be chosen so that the matrix of transformation from \(x\), \(y\), \(z\) to \([y,z]\), \([z,x]\), \([x,y]\) is diagonal of the form \(\text{diag}(\lambda,\mu,1)\). If \(L(\lambda,\mu)\) denotes the corresponding Lie algebra then \(L(\lambda,\mu)\cong L(\lambda',\mu')\) if and only if the quadratic forms \(\langle \mu,\lambda,\lambda\mu\rangle\) and \(\langle \mu',\lambda',\lambda'\mu'\rangle\) (representing their Killing forms, apart from a factor 2) are isometric. The universal associative envelope of \(L(\lambda,\mu)\) has as unique simple homomorphic image a quaternion algebra corresponding to the form \(\langle \mu,\lambda,\lambda\mu\rangle\), so isomorphic enveloping algebras lead to isomorphic Lie algebras. Finally the author considers the enveloping field of \(L\), i.e. the (skew) field of fractions of the universal envelope of \(L\). He shows that in characteristic 0, if the form is not isotropic, then the enveloping field is not isomorphic to a Weyl field, but is contained in one with index two. As a consequence the Lie algebra \(L(\lambda,\mu)\) is determined up to isomorphism by its enveloping field.