Linear models of the exceptional Lie algebra \(\mathfrak{e}_8\) (Q6928613)

The article deals with linear constructions of the exceptional Lie algebra \(e_8\). The authors briefly survey some previous existing constructions. In some of those previously published models, the structure constant are given without proof and are as high as \(40320=2^7\cdot 3^2\cdot 5\cdot 7\) or \(1080=2^3\cdot 3^3\cdot 5\). Thus the survival of these models in low prime characteristics is not clear.\N\NThe work under review presents five explicit constructions of the exceptional Lie algebra \(e_8\), each associated with a semisimple subalgebra of maximal rank. The provided models are based on gradings by finite abelian groups, namely,\N\N\(\mathbb{Z}_4\), with neutral component \(A_1\oplus A_7\),\N\N\(\mathbb{Z}_5\), with neutral component \(2A_4\),\N\N\(\mathbb{Z}_6\), with neutral component \(A_1\oplus A_2\oplus A_5\),\N\N\(\mathbb{Z_3}^2\), with neutral component \(4 A_2\),\N\N\(\mathbb{Z}_2\times\mathbb{Z}_4\) with neutral component \(2A_1\oplus 2_A3\).\N\NAs can be seen, in all cases, the neutral component is a direct sum of special linear algebras, while the remaining homogeneous components are irreducible modules over it.