On the generators of semisimple Lie algebras (Q5905933)

Kuranishi proved that for any finite dimensional semisimple Lie algebra \(L\) over a field of characteristic zero there exist two elements \(X\), \(Y \in L\) which generate \(L\). In this paper it is shown that given any element \(X\) in a complex simple Lie algebra \(L\), there exists a \(Y \in L\) such that the Lie algebra generated by \(X\) and \(Y\) is \(L\). If \(L\) is semisimple then for any \(X\) which has nontrivial projections on all the simple ideals, there exists a corresponding generator \(Y\). These results have been extended to the real semisimple Lie algebras as well. The method uses the notion of generating a sequence of roots. It has interesting properties, vis-à-vis the elements of the Cartan algebra. Finally, as a by-product a new property of a special class of regular elements, known as the cyclic elements, is obtained. The results are applied to the exceptional algebra \(G_2\), with direct numerical evaluation of the set of generators.