Notes on Lie Algebras (Universitext) - Softcover

Samelson, Hans

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0387972641 ISBN 13: 9780387972640

Publisher: Springer, 1990

Synopsis

(Cartan sub Lie algebra, roots, Weyl group, Dynkin diagram, . . . ) and the classification, as found by Killing and Cartan (the list of all semisimple Lie algebras consists of (1) the special- linear ones, i. e. all matrices (of any fixed dimension) with trace 0, (2) the orthogonal ones, i. e. all skewsymmetric ma­ trices (of any fixed dimension), (3) the symplectic ones, i. e. all matrices M (of any fixed even dimension) that satisfy M J = - J MT with a certain non-degenerate skewsymmetric matrix J, and (4) five special Lie algebras G2, F , E , E , E , of dimensions 14,52,78,133,248, the "exceptional Lie 4 6 7 s algebras" , that just somehow appear in the process). There is also a discus­ sion of the compact form and other real forms of a (complex) semisimple Lie algebra, and a section on automorphisms. The third chapter brings the theory of the finite dimensional representations of a semisimple Lie alge­ bra, with the highest or extreme weight as central notion. The proof for the existence of representations is an ad hoc version of the present standard proof, but avoids explicit use of the Poincare-Birkhoff-Witt theorem. Complete reducibility is proved, as usual, with J. H. C. Whitehead's proof (the first proof, by H. Weyl, was analytical-topological and used the exis­ tence of a compact form of the group in question). Then come H.

About this title

Synopsis

This revised edition of Notes on Lie Algebras covers structuring, classification, and representations of semisimple Lie algebras, a classical field that has become increasingly important to mathematicians and physicists. The text's purpose is to introduce the student to the basic facts and their derivations using a direct approach in today's style of thinking and language. The main prerequisite for a clear understanding of the book is Linear Algebra, of a reasonably sophisticated nature. For this revised edition, errors have been eliminated, a number of proofs have been rewritten with more clarity, and some new material has been added.

Edition details

• Publisher: Springer
• Publication date: 1990
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0387972641
• ISBN 13: 9780387972640
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 175