On self-similar Lie algebras and virtual endomorphisms (Q2312830)

The notion of self-similar groups plays an important role in modern group theory. Nekrashevich and Sidki showed that self-similarity of groups is closely related to the notion of a \textit{virtual endomorphism}, which is a homomorphism \(\psi:H\to G\), where \(H\) is a subgroup of finite index in the group \(G\), see e.g. [\textit{V. Nekrashevych}, Self-similar groups. Providence, RI: AMS (2005; Zbl 1087.20032)] A Lie algebra \(L\) over a field \(k\) is called \textit{self-similar} if there exists an embedding \[ \psi: L \to (X\otimes_k L )\leftthreetimes \mathrm{Der} X, \] where \(X\) is a commutative algebra, \(\mathrm{Der} X\) being the Lie algebra of derivations [\textit{L. Bartholdi}, J. Eur. Math. Soc. (JEMS) 17, No. 12, 3113--3151 (2015; Zbl 1350.17005).] Now, the authors start to study self-similarity of Lie algebras in terms of relation to \textit{virtual endomorphisms}, which are defined similarly as homomorphisms \(H\to L\), where \(H\) is a subalgebra of finite codimension in a Lie algebra \(L\). In some particular but important cases, the authors suggest a relation of self-similar Lie algebras with virtual endomorphisms, but the respective subalgebras \(H\subset L\) are ideals; and a complete correspondence between self-similarity and virtual endomorphisms is not established. In case of group theory, a similar relation is easily established using geometric methods. The authors discover an unexpected fact that the simple Lie algebra \(\mathfrak{sl}_{n+1}\), where the positive characteristic is not dividing \(n+1\), is self-similar. They also construct examples of self-similar metabelian Lie algebras of the homological type \(FP_n\).