On the generators of semisimple Lie algebras (Q5903988)

The authors point out that there is a gap in the proof of the following theorem of \textit{T. Ionescu} [Linear Algebra Appl. 15, 271-292 (1976; Zbl 0358.17014)]: Let L be a finite-dimensional real or complex semisimple Lie algebra. Then, for any \(X\in L\) which has non trivial projections on all the simple ideals of L, there exists \(Y\in L\) such that X and Y generate the Lie algebra L. In this paper the gap is filled. In addition, for a class of Lie algebras and certain X the authors indicate how to find such a Y.