Algebra of derivations of Lie algebras (Q5946189)

The authors present a method which allows the determination of the derivation algebra of a finite dimensional Lie algebra, \(L\). The approach is to first choose a gradation of \(L\) which has as many one dimensional components as possible. Next, let \(T\) be the collection of diagonal derivations of \(L\) which leave the components of the gradation invariant. \(T\) decomposes \(\text{Der}(L)\) into the direct sum of subspaces in which each \(t\) in \(T\) acts as a scalar. The authors exploit the relations between how each derivation acts on the gradation of \(L\) and how it acts on the decomposition of \(\text{Der}(L)\). Mathematica is used as a significant computational tool.