On the nonrationality of rigid Lie algebras (Q4252908)

A Lie algebra structure on \({\mathbb C}^n\) can be defined by means of the structure constants \(C_{ij}^k\) with respect to any fixed basis of \({\mathbb C}^n\). The corresponding points \((C_{ij}^k)\in{\mathbb C}^{n^3}\) constitute an algebraic variety \({\mathcal L}^n\), in view of the antisymmetry and Jacobi identity holding for the Lie bracket. The group \(\text{GL}(n,{\mathbb C})\) acts on \({\mathcal L}^n\) via change of basis in \({\mathbb C}^n\). Then the points belonging to open orbits correspond to the rigid Lie algebras. The aim of the paper under review is to provide counterexamples for the conjecture that every rigid Lie algebra posseses a basis such that all the corresponding structure constants are rational numbers [cf. \textit{R. Carles}, Variété d'algèbres de Lie, Thèse Poitiers (1984)]. Such counterexamples are discovered by an inspection of the classification of the filiform Lie algebras having nonzero rank [cf. \textit{M. Goze} and \textit{Y. Khakimdjanov}, Nilpotent Lie algebras, Mathematics and its Applications (Dordrecht). 361. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers (1996; Zbl 0845.17012)]. Several rigid Lie algebras are found in this way (the proof of rigidity involving some perturbation technique). However, only certain 13-dimensional algebras are at the same time rigid and nonrational. (Actually, one shows even an example of rigid nonreal Lie algebra.)