Nahm algebras (Q1348669)

The system of first order differential equations on a real Lie algebra \(\mathfrak{g}\): \(\dot x=[y,z]\), \(\dot y=[x,z]\), \(\dot z=[x,y]\), leads the authors in a natural way to the study of the Nahm algebra of \(\mathfrak{g}\) which can be defined as the tensor product \(\mathbb{R}^3\otimes \mathfrak{g}\), with the multiplication given by \((u\otimes x)\cdot(v\otimes y)=(u\times v)\otimes [x,y]\), where \(u\times v\) denotes the usual cross product. The same definition works over arbitrary fields. Nahm algebras thus constitute a class of commutative algebras not included in the usual varieties of nonassociative algebras. The paper under review initiates a systematic algebraic research on these algebras: subalgebras, ideals, gradings, simplicity, radical, invariant bilinear forms, derivations and automorphisms are considered thoroughly.