On the isotropy subalgebras of Lie algebras of conformal vector fields

The conformal isotropy algebra of a point m in an n-manifold with a metric of arbitrary signature is shown to be locally reducible, by a conformal change of the metric, to a homothetic algebra near m iff, by choice of a chart, its constituent vector fields are simultaneously linearisable at m and, for n≥3, a necessary and sufficient condition for this in terms of the first and second derivatives of these fields at m is given. The implications for the Riemannian case and the Lorentzian case are investigated. In contrast to the former, a Lorentzian manifold admitting a conformal vector field that is not linearisable at some point need not be conformally flat. Relevant four-dimensional examples are provided.