Fall 2011

Matthias Strauch

M 507 Lie Algebras - Homework 9

If not stated otherwise, F denotes an algebraically closed field of characteristic zero, all Lie algebras are
finite-dimensional Lie algebras over F , and all F -vector spaces are finite-dimensional.

(1) The root system and Dynkin diagram of Cn

Recall that X

L  sp2n pF q  X
M
P

N
Q

 sp2n. Let J 

0
1n

1n 0

P M2npF q | JX 
X T J

, and

P M2npF q, with M, N, P, Q P MnpF q, is in L if and only if N T  N ,


Q. Let u (resp. u
) be the F -subspace of L consisting of all X 

M N
 P and
P
P Q
L such that M is strictly upper (resp. strictly lower) triangular, Q is strictly lower (resp. strictly
upper) triangular (automatically), P  0 (resp. P is arbitrary) and N is arbitrary (resp. N  0).
Let H L be the subalgebra of diagonal matrices in L. Recall the decomposition (as F -vector
spaces)
PT

MT

L  u
` H

`u.

 Ei,i
En i,n i, 1 i n. Show that H1, . . . , Hn form a basis of H.

1  Ei,n j Ej,n
(ii) For 1 i j n put Xi,j  Ei,j
En j,n i , Xi  Ei,i n and Xi,j
(i) Put Hi

i.

Show that

these matrices in L generate root spaces. More precisely:

(a) F  Xi,j
(b) F  Xi

 L

i,j

$
&0
1
, where i,j pHk q 
%

1
"

 L , where ipHk q 
i

0 , k
2 , k

"

, k
, k
, k

R ti, j u
i
j

i
i

R ti, j u
P ti, j u
T  L
(iii) Deduce from the formula rh, X T s 
rh, X sT , h P H, that F  Xi,j

, F  XiT  L
,
1 qT  L
, and conclude that one has therefore obtained all root spaces, and hence all
and F  pXi,j
(c) F  X 1

i,j

 L

i,j

, where i,j pHk q 

0 , k
1 , k

i,j

i,j

roots of H in L:

 pL, H q  ti,j ,
i,j , i,j ,
i,j | 1 i j

nu Y ti,
i | 1 i nu .

continued

Comments, corrections and queries can be sent to me at mstrauch@indiana.edu

1HW 1, problem 2; recall also the formula E , E

a,b
c,d

s  b,c Ea,d
a,d Ec,b

(iv) Show that p1,2 , 2,3 , . . . , n
1,n , n q is a base of , as follows:

 i,i 1
(b) i  2i,i 1
(c) i,j  i,i 1

(a) i,j

...

j
1,j .

...

2n
1,n

...

j
1,j

n .
j .

T and h
T
(v) (a) Show that Xi,j , Xi,j
i,j : rXi,j , Xi,j sp Hi
isomorphic to sl2 . Check that i,j phi,j q  2.

(b)2 Show that Xi , XiT and hi

sl2 . Check that i phi q  2.

Hj q generate a subalgebra which is

 Hi  rXi, XiT s generate a subalgebra which is isomorphic to

1 , pX 1 qT and h : rX 1 , pX 1 qT sp Hi
(c)3 Show that Xi,j
i,j
i,j
i,j
i,j
is isomorphic to sl2 . Check that i,j phi,j q  2.

Hj q generate a subalgebra which

(vi) (a) Assume i j in the following. Show that

(which is i,i 1 phj,j 1 q  j,j
deduce (table in 9.5) that i,i

xi,i 1, j,j 1yxj,j 1, i,i 1y

q) vanishes except if i  j
1 in which this number is 1, and
1 ph
i,i 1

and j,j

must have the same length.

(b) Show that xn , i,i 1 y  n phi,i 1 q vanishes, except if i

deduce (table in 9.5) that must be longer than n
1,n .

 n
1, in which case it is
2, and

(vii) Deduce that the Dynkin diagram of psp2n q (with respect to the basis determined in (iv)) is

This Dynkin diagram is also denoted by Cn .

2optional, because not needed to determine the Dynkin diagram

3optional, because not needed to determine the Dynkin diagram