A Lie group is a group (in the sense of abstract algebra) that is also a differentiable manifold, such that the group operations (addition and inversion) are smooth, and so we can study them with differential calculus. They are a special type of topological group. Consider using with the ...

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Centralizers of connected linear group and its Lie algebra

If we have that $G$ is a connected linear group and $H<G$ with $\mathfrak{h}$ the lie algebra of $H$ and we define the centralizers of the elements in the following way: $Z(H):=\{a\in G| ...
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21 views

Is the truncated exponential series for matrices injective?

If $k$ is a field of characteristic $p$, we can define a map $\exp:\mathfrak{gl}_n(k)\to GL_n(k)$ by: $$\exp(A)=\sum_{i=0}^{p-1}\frac{A^i}{i!}$$ In the answer to this question, we see that if ...
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14 views

Calculating the lie algebra of $SO(2,1)$

I am trying to calculate the Lie algebra of the group $SO(2,1)$ where this is defined as: $SO(2,1=\{X\in Mat_3(\mathbb{R})|X^t\eta X=\eta, \det(X)=1\}$ where $\eta$ is the matrix defined as: $$\left ...
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46 views

The dimension of $SU(n)$

$SU(n)$ denotes the special unitary group. I know its dimension should be $n^2-1$. However, I am trying to prove it and get a wrong result. I have no idea what is wrong with my proof. Therefore, I am ...
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52 views

Symplectic Form Preserved by Orthogonal Transformation

I'm trying to prove that the symplectic form $$\omega = d(\cos\theta) \wedge d\phi$$ is preserved by the action of $SO(3)$ on $S^2$ where $\phi$ and $\theta$ are spherical polars. Now $SO(3)$ simply ...
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29 views

Action of a Lie group on a coset of its subgroup

I am a physicist, so sorry for the lack of rigor. It is well known that a (say compact) Lie group $G$ acts naturally by left multiplication on the coset space $G/H$ where $H\subset G$ is its (Lie) ...
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21 views

Maximal compact subgroup of $GL_n(\mathbb C_p)$

It is known that the general linear group $GL_n(\mathbb Q_p)$ over the $p$-adic numbers has $GL_n(\mathbb Z_p)$ as a maximal compact subgroup and every other maximal compact subgroup of $GL_n(\mathbb ...
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20 views

Proving that the Flag Variety $Fl(n;m_1,m_2)$ is connected.

I wish to prove that the flag variety $Fl(n;m_1,m_2) = \{ W_1 \subset W_2 \subset V | dimW_i = m_i \}$, for $0 \le m_1 \le m_2 \le n$ where V is an n-dimensional vector space over $\mathbb{C}$ and ...
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10 views

Is a quotient of maximal torus maximal for Lie groups?

I currently learning about Lie theory. Specifically, I am learning about maximal torus. However, I do not understand how these objects interact with quotients of subgroups. For instance if $T\subseteq ...
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1answer
32 views

Truncated exponential map from $\mathfrak{gl}_n$ to $GL_n$

Let $k$ be a field of characteristic $p>0$. If $A$ is a nilpotent matrix in $\mathfrak{gl}_n(k)$, with $p>n$, then we can define the unipotent matrix: ...
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18 views

How to write down the maximal subgroups of $GL(9, \mathbb{C})$

I am wondering about the maximal subgroups of the group $GL(n^2, \mathbb{C})$. My motivation for wondering about these groups is a project (in its most general form) I am working on where I am trying ...
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15 views

are closed orbits of Lie group action embedded?

Consider a smooth action $G\curvearrowright M$ of a Lie group on a manifold. Suppose that an orbit $G\cdot p$ is closed. Is the orbit an embedded submanifold. In general we know that the orbits are ...
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1answer
25 views

Lie subalgebra, Lie subgroup and membership

Let $G$ be a Lie group with Lie algebra $\mathfrak{g}$ and let $H$ be a connected Lie subgroup with Lie algebra $\mathfrak{h}$. We have that $X \in \mathfrak{h} $ iff $exp(tX) \in H \ \ \ \forall t ...
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78 views

Show that $\exp: \mathfrak{sl}(n,\mathbb R)\to \operatorname{SL}(n,\mathbb R)$ is not surjective

It is well known that for $n=2$, this holds. The polar decomposition provides the topology of $\operatorname{SL}(n,\mathbb R)$ as the product of symmetric matrices and orthogonal matrices, which can ...
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58 views

The Symplectic group is connected

Let $K = \mathbb{R}, \mathbb{C}$ be a field and consider the skew-symmetric matrix $$ J = \left( \begin{matrix} 0 & I_n \\ -I_n & 0 \end{matrix} \right) $$ where $I_n$ is the unit matrix of ...
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27 views

Proof of Lie theorem on solvable Lie algebra

I am reading a book of Helgason. As you know, solvable Lie algebra $g \subset V= {\bf C}^n$ have a nonzero $v$ such that $v$ is an eigenvector of any element of $g$. I can follow the proof in ...
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28 views

To what extent are formulas obtained in one Lie group valid in another Lie group with an isomorphic Lie algebra?

In quantum optics, I am trying to explore the group generated by squeezing and rotation operators. These are closely related to area-preserving linear transforms, which they induce on the phase space, ...
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1answer
73 views

Show that an orthogonal group is a $\frac{n(n−1)]}2-$dim. $C^\infty$-Manifold and find its tangent space

The orthogonal group is defined as (with group structure inherited from $n\times n$ matrices) $$O(n) := \{X\in \mathbb{R}^{n\times n} : X^\text{t}X=I_n\}.$$ (i) Show that $O(n)$ is an ...
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1answer
45 views

Analogues of $SU(2)$ and $SO(3)$

The groups $SU_2(\mathbb{C})$ and $SO_3(\mathbb{R})$ are interesting in geometry, and there is a $2$-to-$1$ map from $SU_2(\mathbb{C})$ to $SO_3(\mathbb{R})$. There are finitely many finite groups in ...
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5 views

Is the application $D(R_p\circ \imath)(e):\mathfrak{h}\rightarrow T_p\mathcal{L}_p$ an isomorphism?

Let $G$ be a Lie group with Lie algebra $\mathfrak{g}$ and $H\subseteq G$ a Lie subgroup with Lie subalgebra $\mathfrak{h}$. Consider the right translation $R_p:G\rightarrow G$ given by $R_p(g)=gp$. ...
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1answer
30 views

Does the equality $[u, v]=[X, Y](e)$ holds?

Let $G$ be a Lie group, $\mathfrak{g}$ its Lie algebra and $\mathfrak{h}\subseteq \mathfrak{g}$ a vector subspace. I defined two smooth vector fields $X, Y:G\rightarrow TG$ setting $X(g)=DR_g(e)u$ and ...
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25 views

Relationship between representations of $\mathfrak{sl}_{2n}\mathbb{C}$ and $\mathfrak{sp}_{2n}\mathbb{C}$

If $V=\mathbb{C}^{2n}$ denotes the standard representation of $\mathfrak{sl}_{2n}\mathbb{C}$, what can we say about $\wedge^kV$ in terms of the standard representation $W$ of ...
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27 views

The simply-connectedness of quotient space

If $U$ is a Lie group with a closed subgroup $K$ such that both $U$ and $U/K$ are simply-connected, then can we conclude that $K$ is connected?
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29 views

Character of half-spin representation

Let $S^\pm$ be the half-spin representations of $\mathfrak{so}_{2n}\mathbb{C}$. Fulton-Harris's Representation Theory says on page 378 that the character $D^\pm$ of $S^\pm$ is the sum $$\sum x_1^{\pm ...
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26 views

Optimization of Möbius transformation

Say I have a family of points $(w_i, z_i)$ for $i=1,2,...,n$, and I wish to find $a,b,c,d$ such that $\sum_i \left|\frac{a z_i -b}{c z_i - d} - w_i \right|^2 $ is minimized. I realize there are things ...
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1answer
164 views

Structure constants of Lie algebra

Let $(x^i)$ be a local coordinates system near identity of a Lie group $G$ such that $x(e)=0$. Suppose the multiplication has local form $$m(x_1,x_2)^k=x_1^k+x_2^k+\frac{1}{2}b_{ij}^k x^i_1 ...
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1answer
38 views

Complexification of the real lie algebra $\mathrm{sp}(m,n)$

I am unable to verify the fact that the complexification of the real lie algebra $\mathrm{sp}(m,n)$ is $\mathrm{sp}(2(m+n),\mathbf C)$, where $\mathrm{sp}(m,n)$ is the set of endomorphisms preserving ...
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1answer
35 views

Is this distribution involutive?

For two days I've been trying to show the following: Let $G$ be a Lie group with Lie algebra $\mathfrak{g}$ and consider the smooth distribution $$F=\{F_p=DR_p(e)\mathfrak{h}; p\in G\},$$ where ...
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54 views

Differentiation in group space

In a few physics papers (lattice gauge theory papers, to be more specific) I've seen the following definition for differentiation on group space $$ \frac{\partial}{\partial U} f(U) = ...
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1answer
58 views

Question about lie bracket..

Let $G$ be a Lie group with Lie algebras $\mathfrak{g}$ and let $\mathfrak{h}\subseteq \mathfrak{g}$ be a Lie subalgebra. Write $F_p=DR_p(e)\mathfrak{h}$, $p\in G$, where $R_p:G\rightarrow G$ given by ...
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1answer
53 views

Equality involving Lie Brackets

I have a question concerning Lie brackets: Consider the Lie bracket $$[, ]:\mathfrak{g}\times \mathfrak{g}\rightarrow \mathfrak{g},$$ where $\mathfrak{g}=T_eG$ is the Lie algebra of a Lie group $G$. ...
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26 views

The Lie algebra of the commutator subgroup

If $G$ is a connected Lie group with Lie algebra $g$, then is its commutator subgroup $[G,G]$ a closed subgroup with Lie algebra $[g,g]$?
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49 views
+50

Every principal $G$-bundle over a surface is trivial if $G$ is compact and simply connected: reference?

I'm looking for a reference for the following result: If $G$ is a compact and simply connected Lie group and $\Sigma$ is a compact orientable surface, then every principal $G$-bundle over $\Sigma$ ...
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37 views

Why these two groups are closed in two other?

I have no strategy to show that following groups are closed in after group. $$K=\{g=(g_{i,j}\in U(n+1))\mid g_{2,1}=\ldots g_{n+1,1}\}\quad in \quad U(n+1)$$ $$U(n+1)\quad in \quad\{A = (a_{ij}) \in ...
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1answer
24 views

What is the number of non-compact generators of $\operatorname{so}(p, q)$ and $\operatorname{su}(p, q)$?

Setting $n = p + q$, the total number of generators of $\operatorname{so}(p, q)$ or $\operatorname{su}(p, q)$ is respectively $n(n - 1) /2$ and $n^2 - 1$. But what is the number of non-compact ...
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1answer
27 views

The closed subgroup of Lie group

$G$ is a connected Lie group with Lie algebra $g$ and $l$ is an abelian ideal of $g$. If $K$ is the connected Lie subgroup of $G$ with the Lie algebra $l$, then is $K$ necessarily closed in $G$?
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1answer
55 views

Tangent space at the identity element of a lie group

Let G be a lie group . we know a Lie group is a group with a smooth manifold structure s.t both the multiplication map $m$ and group inversion map $i$ are smooth . Now by identifying ...
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1answer
37 views

Isomorphisms of the Lorentz group and algebra

I'm trying to read a few books on QFT and some seem to say the Lorentz algebra obeys $\mathfrak{so}(1,3)\otimes \mathbb{C} \cong \mathfrak{su}(2) \oplus \mathfrak{su}(2)$ while others say ...
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0answers
16 views

concerning coadjoint representation

Let $\xi $ be the vector field on $\frak{g}^*$ (dual of Lie algebra) which correspond to element $X$ of the Lie algebra $\frak{g}$. Then why have we $\xi(F)=K_*(X)F$ where here $K=Ad^*(g)$ is ...
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1answer
39 views

Projective linear group - solvable

Let $q\geq 5$ and let PGL(2,q) be the projective general linear group. Question Do there exists a $q$ such that PGL(2,q) is solvable?
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26 views

Orbits of the action of G/H

Let $G \subset Iso(M)$ be a Lie group which acts on a (semiriemannian) manifold $M$ properly and smoothly. Let we know the orbits of the action. Suppose that $H$ is a discrete central subgroup of $G$ ...
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25 views

Classifying all rank 2 and 3 root systems

I am working with the representation theory of complex simple Lie algebras, and have a question: It is intuitively clear that the root systems $A_1\times A_1$, $A_2$, $B_2$, and $G_2$ comprise all ...
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29 views

a question about G-Manifolds

I am looking for a clear reason for following fact: Why a $G$-invariant differential form $\omega$ on a homogeneous $G$-manifold $M=G/H$ is uniquely determined by its value at the initial point $m_0$ ...
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16 views

Why is the dual space of Cartan subalgebra an irreducible representation of Weyl group

it is proposition 14.31 in Fulton-Harris book. The proof goes like this. Let $\mathfrak{h}$ be a Cartan subalgebra of $\mathfrak{g}$, and assume $\mathfrak{z}\subseteq\mathfrak{h}^*$ were preserved ...
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30 views

Usage and determination of “rank” and “dimension” of groups & representations

Physicist here. I seem to see conflicting statements about the rank of some groups I've come across lately. A paper I'm reading states that $SO(6)$ is rank 3 and therefore its Cartan subalgebra ...
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32 views

Finding the dimension of the symplectic group

How do you find the dimension of the symplectic group $Sp(2n,\mathbb{R})$? $Sp(2n,\mathbb{R})\subset Gl(2n,\mathbb{R})$ is the group of invertible matrices $A$ such that $\omega = A^T\omega A$, where ...
3
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1answer
83 views

Proof that $U(n)$ is connected

I'm trying to prove that $U(n)= \{ X\in Mat_n(\mathbb{C})|X^T\bar{X}=I\}$ is connected, but most of the proof comes down to proving that $SU(n)= \{ X\in Mat_n(\mathbb{C})|X^T\bar{X}=I $ and $ ...
3
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70 views

How many discrete subgroups does the Heisenberg group have?

Is there an easy way to describe an arbitrary discrete group in the Heisenberg group? I figured that at least the family $$ \begin{pmatrix} 1 & x\mathbb Z & z\mathbb Z\\0&1&y\mathbb ...
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1answer
19 views

Is this a set of generators for the conformal group of Minkowski space?

My physics textbook asserts that the group of maps $f: M \rightarrow M $ ($M$ is the Minkowski space, i. e. $\Bbb R^4$ with the pseudonorm $||x||=x_0^2-x_1^2-x_2^2-x_3^2$ and scalar product $x\dot{} ...
0
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1answer
30 views

Elements of order 2 in a Weyl group.

I would like to prove that any element of order 2 in a Weyl group is the product of commuting root reflections. I am told that the proof should be by induction on the dimension of the -1 eigenspace. ...

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