The enveloping algebra of the Lie superalgebra \(\mathfrak{osp}(1,2)\) (Q914816)

Let \(G=G_{\bar 0}\oplus G_{\bar 1}\) be a Lie superalgebra, with \(U\) the enveloping algebra of \(G_{\bar 0}\) and \(V\) the enveloping algebra of \(G\). In this paper, a very detailed study is given of the structure of \(V\) in the case of the orthosymplectic complex superalgebra \(G=\mathfrak{osp}(1,2)\), for which \(G_{\bar 0}=\mathfrak{sl}(2)\); in a sense, \(\mathfrak{osp}(1,2)\) is the superalgebra analogue of \(\mathfrak{sl}(2).\) First, using a relation between the Casimir element of \(G\) and of \(G_{\bar 0}\), irreducible \(V\)-modules are considered. Using the Poincaré-Birkhoff-Witt theorem and a new filtration of \(V\), it is shown that \(V\) is entire (i.e. has no zero divisors) and its only invertible elements are non-vanishing scalars. Using the standard (grading) filtration of \(V\), the reduction of the adjoint representation of \(G\) in \(V\) is analysed; in particular, it is shown that the center of \(V\) is the polynomial algebra \(\mathbb C[C]\), where \(C\) is the Casimir element of \(G\). In the next sections, the quotient algebra \(B_{\lambda}=V/I_{\lambda}\), with \(I_{\lambda}=(C-\lambda)V\), and its ideals are analysed. The metaplectic case \(\lambda =-1/16\), with \(I_{-1/16}\) not semiprime, is of particular interest. Finally, for the Krull dimension of a (general) Lie superalgebra it is proved that \(K-\dim V=K- \dim U\), implying that \(K-\dim V=2\) in the case of \(\mathfrak{osp}(1,2)\).