The exceptional Lie group \(E_8\) (Q2505437)

The author constructs the exceptional Lie algebra of type \(E_8\) over the complex numbers as a sum of the Lie algebra \(\mathfrak{so}(16)\) and an irreducible 128-dimensional representation thereof. He starts with a detailed introduction to the Clifford algebra associated to a symmetric bilinear form over the real numbers. Then he displays the spin groups and their Lie algebras as subsets of such algebras, giving some detailed calculations for low rank examples. Finally, he constructs a Lie algebra of type \(E_8\) by defining a suitable Lie bracket on the vector space \(\mathfrak{so}(16)+\Delta^+\), where \(\Delta^+\) is the space of a certain even 128-dimensional representation of \(\mathfrak{so}(16)\). Also included are tables of roots for \(E_8\), given as matrices in the chosen realization. Reviewer's remark: The paper is written at an elementary level, suitable for students in mathematics. Unfortunately, it contains many inaccurate, misleading (starting with the title; the paper deals exclusively with the Lie algebra \(E_8\), without mention of the group), and imprecise statements, unexplained non-standard notation, and downright false claims; e.g., in Remark 2.1, the author erroneously asserts that for every element \(x\) of a Clifford algebra, \(\alpha(x)\beta(x)=1\), where \(\alpha\) and \(\beta\) are the canonical involutive automorphism and antiautomorphism.