Graded Lie algebras of maximal class of type \(n\) (Q2062724)

A graded Lie algebra \(L = \bigoplus_{i=1}^{\infty} L_{i}\) is said to be of maximal class of type \(1\) if \(\dim(L_{1}) = 2\), \(\dim(L_{i}) = 1\) for \(i \ge 2\), and \([L_{i}, L] = L_{i+1}\) for \(i \ge 1\). These algebras have been classified by \textit{A. Caranti} and \textit{M. F. Newman} [J. Algebra 229, No. 2, 750--784 (2000; Zbl 0971.17015)] in odd characteristic and by \textit{G. Jurman} [J. Algebra 284, No. 2, 435--461 (2005; Zbl 1058.17020)] in characteristic two. If \(n > 1\), an algebra of maximal class of type \(n\) is a graded Lie algebra \(L = \bigoplus_{i=1}^{\infty} L_{i}\) such that \(\dim(L_{1}) = 1\), \(L_{i} = \{0\}\) for \(1 < i < n\), \(\dim(L_{i}) = 1\) for \(i \ge n\), and \([L_{i}, L] = L_{i+1}\) for \(i \ge n\). A classification of the algebras of type \(2\) in positive characteristic has been given by \textit{A. Caranti} and \textit{M. R. Vaughan-Lee} [Ann. Sc. Norm. Super. Pisa, Cl. Sci., IV. Ser. 29, No. 2, 269--312 (2000; Zbl 0960.17007)] for odd characteristics, and in [\textit{A. Caranti} and \textit{M. R. Vaughan-Lee}, Isr. J. Math. 133, 157--175 (2003; Zbl 1020.17021)] in characteristic two. The classification of algebras of type \(2\) is more intricate in characteristic \(2\), suggesting that algebras of type \(n\) are more regular for \(p > n\). A key tool in the study of algebras of maximal class is a theory of the so-called constituents. In particular, the first constituent of a non-metabelian algebra of type \(1\) in characteristic \(p\) has length \(2 q\), where \(q\) is a power of \(p\). In Theorem 1, the authors prove that in an algebra of type \(n\) in characteristic \(p\), with \(1 < n \le p\), if the first constituent has length \(\ell > 4 p\), then either \(\ell = 2 q\), for some power \(q\) of \(p\), or \(\ell\) is even, and \(q < \ell \le q + n\), for some power \(q\) of \(p\). The condition \(\ell > 4 p\) reflects some complications arising for smaller values of \(\ell\). This result extends the results for the case \(n = 2\) mentioned above and those for \(n = p\) of \textit{C. Scarbolo} [Graded Lie algebras of maximal class in characteristic p, generated by two elements of degree 1 and p. Trento (PhD thesis) (2014)] and \textit{V. Iusa} et al. [J. Algebra 588, 77--117 (2021; Zbl 07413104)]. Combining Theorem 1 with the results of Ugolini [loc. cit.], the authors obtain in Theorem 2 a classification of algebras of type \(n\), under the assumptions \(p > 4 n\) and \(\ell > 4 p\). Such algebras are either derived from the so-called uncovered algebras of type \(1\) (these algebras have \(\ell = 2 q\)) or belong to a certain countable family \(\mathcal{E}\). The authors show in Theorem 3 that the algebras in \(\mathcal{E}\) realise all the values \(\ell \ne 2 q\) in Theorem 1.