Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
4673182 | Indagationes Mathematicae | 2008 | 12 Pages |
Abstract
Let L be a simple finite-dimensional Lie algebra of characteristic distinct from 2 and from 3. Suppose that L contains an extremal element that is not a sandwich, that is, an element x such that [x, [x, L]] is equal to the linear span of x in L. In this paper we prove that, with a single exception, L is generated by extremal elements. The result is known, at least for most characteristics, but the proofs in the literature are involved. The current proof closes a gap in a geometric proof that every simple Lie algebra containing no sandwiches (that is, ad-nilpotent elements of order 2) is in fact of classical type.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Mathematics
Mathematics (General)