Lie algebras of type \(D_ 4\) over number fields (Q1204316)

The problem of constructing all central simple (finite dimensional) Lie algebras of a given type has previously been solved over arbitrary base fields of characteristic zero for all types except \(E_ n\) \((n=6,7,8)\) and \(D_ 4\). For Lie algebras of type \(E_ n\) over algebraic number fields the problem was solved by J. Ferrar. The present paper provides the solution for Lie algebras of type \(D_ 4\) over number fields. The main result is that all these can be constructed from the quartic Cayley algebras introduced earlier by J. Faulkner and by the author (cf. the previous review). The proof employs the Allen invariant for Lie algebras of type \(D_ 4\) and uses results from Galois cohomology to obtain a characterization of isomorphic \(D_ 4\)'s over number fields.