Constructing simply laced Lie algebras from extremal elements

DOI10.2140/ANT.2008.2.551zbMATH Open1169.17013arXiv0707.2927OpenAlexW2097017409WikidataQ115231085 ScholiaQ115231085MaRDI QIDQ1005877FDOQ1005877

Authors: Jan Draisma, Jos in 't panhuis 

Publication date: 16 March 2009

Published in: Algebra \& Number Theory (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: For any finite graph Gamma and any field K of characteristic unequal to 2 we construct an algebraic variety X over K whose K-points parameterise K-Lie algebras generated by extremal elements, corresponding to the vertices of the graph, with prescribed commutation relations, corresponding to the non-edges. After that, we study the case where Gamma is a connected, simply laced Dynkin diagram of finite or affine type. We prove that X is then an affine space, and that all points in an open dense subset of X parameterise Lie algebras isomorphic to a single fixed Lie algebra. If Gamma is of affine type, then this fixed Lie algebra is the split finite-dimensional simple Lie algebra corresponding to the associated finite-type Dynkin diagram. This gives a new construction of these Lie algebras, in which they come together with interesting degenerations, corresponding to points outside the open dense subset. Our results may prove useful for recognising these Lie algebras.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/0707.2927

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zbMATH Keywords

graphLie algebraDynkin diagramaffine spaceextremal element

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Identities, free Lie (super)algebras (17B01) Affine spaces (automorphisms, embeddings, exotic structures, cancellation problem) (14R10) Lie (super)algebras associated with other structures (associative, Jordan, etc.) (17B60) Relations of low-dimensional topology with graph theory (57M15)

Cited In (6)

• Extremal elements in Lie algebras, buildings and structurable algebras
• On Lie algebras generated by few extremal elements
• Lie algebras attached to simplicial complexes
• Extremal presentations for classical Lie algebras
• A characterization of Dynkin elements
• The Geometry of Extremal Elements in a Lie Algebra

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