Casimir invariants and infinitesimal characters for semi-simple Lie algebras (Q2640686)

The author has defined certain matrices A with entries from a simple Lie algebra \({\mathfrak g}\) which can be regarded as operators on the tensor product V(\(\lambda\))\(\otimes V\), where V(\(\lambda\)) is the space of the finite dimensional irreducible representation of \({\mathfrak g}\) with highest weight \(\lambda\) and V is a space of a representation (possibly, infinite dimensional) of \({\mathfrak g}\) with an infinitesimal character. Traces of the matrix powers \(A^ m\) are shown to be Casimir invariants denoted by \(I_ m\). Using the properties of the matrix A the author presents a new derivation of Weyl's dimension formula and uses it to determine the eigenvalues of the invariants \(I_ m\). The formula obtained is in the form of a polynomial function which is valid on any representation admitting an infinitesimal character. This formula is applied to determine the possible infinitesimal characters occurring in the general tensor product space V(\(\lambda\))\(\otimes V\). In the case \(V=V(\mu)\) is an irreducible finite dimensional module with highest weight \(\mu\) the method of the paper yields the multiplicity formula for an irreducible representation in V(\(\lambda\))\(\otimes V(\mu)\).