What Are the Axioms and Identities for Two-Dimensional Lie Algebras?

valtz
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
I read in mark wildon book "introduction to lie algebras"
"Let F be any field. Up to isomorphism there is a unique two-dimensional nonabelian
Lie algebra over F. This Lie algebra has a basis {x, y} such that its Lie
bracket is described by [x, y] = x"

and I'm curious,

How can i proof with this bracket [x,y] = x, satisfies axioms of Lie algebra such that
[a,a] = 0 for $a \in L$
and satisfies jacoby identity

cause we only know about bracket of basis vector for L
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Note that the commutator is anti-commuting, that [x,y] = - [y,x]
What happens when y = x?

As to the Jacobi identity, try it with two of the variables equal. See how much constraint the Jacobi identity will make on a 2-generator algebra.
 
lpetrich said:
Note that the commutator is anti-commuting, that [x,y] = - [y,x]
What happens when y = x?

As to the Jacobi identity, try it with two of the variables equal. See how much constraint the Jacobi identity will make on a 2-generator algebra.

can u give me some example for two dimensional lie algebra?
 
valtz, the important thing here is working out such things in general, rather than for some specific case. That way, you'll know what's always true without having to go into the details of specific cases.
 
Basically, you need to fill in the details. Brackets are supposed to be bilinear, anticommutative and satisfy [a,a]=0. So given what you wrote you should be able to derive the following general formula for the bracket of two vectors:
[ax+by, cx+dy]=ac[x,x]+ad[x,y]+bc[y,x]+bd[y,y] = (ad-bc)x
Using that general formula, you should be able to prove that [a,a]=0 for all a, and that the Jacoby identity holds.

Here is "real" example of such a 2 dim Lie algebra. Consider smooth functions defined on the real line and let L be the set of linear, first order, differential operators generated by
d/dx and x(d/dx). Notice that their commutator is d/dx.
 
Actually, one can derive [a,a] = 0 from antisymmetry.

If [b,a] = - [a,b], then [a,b] + [b,a] = 0
By setting b = a, we get 2[a,a] = 0
yielding [a,a] = 0

Turning to the Jacobi identity, it is
[a,[b,c]] + [b,[c,a]] + [c,[a,b]]= 0

For a = b = c, it's 3[a,[a,a]] = 0
For b = c, it's [a,[b,b]] + [b,[b,a]] + [b,[a,b]] = - [b,[a,b]] + [b,[a,b]] = 0

Thus, the Jacobi identity provides no additional constraints in these cases. However, it will if a,b,c are distinct.

In my earlier posts, I was giving hints in the hope that valtz would then work out the derivations using them.
 
lpetrich said:
valtz, the important thing here is working out such things in general, rather than for some specific case. That way, you'll know what's always true without having to go into the details of specific cases.

Vargo said:
Basically, you need to fill in the details. Brackets are supposed to be bilinear, anticommutative and satisfy [a,a]=0. So given what you wrote you should be able to derive the following general formula for the bracket of two vectors:
[ax+by, cx+dy]=ac[x,x]+ad[x,y]+bc[y,x]+bd[y,y] = (ad-bc)x
Using that general formula, you should be able to prove that [a,a]=0 for all a, and that the Jacoby identity holds.

Here is "real" example of such a 2 dim Lie algebra. Consider smooth functions defined on the real line and let L be the set of linear, first order, differential operators generated by
d/dx and x(d/dx). Notice that their commutator is d/dx.

lpetrich said:
Actually, one can derive [a,a] = 0 from antisymmetry.

If [b,a] = - [a,b], then [a,b] + [b,a] = 0
By setting b = a, we get 2[a,a] = 0
yielding [a,a] = 0

Turning to the Jacobi identity, it is
[a,[b,c]] + [b,[c,a]] + [c,[a,b]]= 0

For a = b = c, it's 3[a,[a,a]] = 0
For b = c, it's [a,[b,b]] + [b,[b,a]] + [b,[a,b]] = - [b,[a,b]] + [b,[a,b]] = 0

Thus, the Jacobi identity provides no additional constraints in these cases. However, it will if a,b,c are distinct.

In my earlier posts, I was giving hints in the hope that valtz would then work out the derivations using them.

thanks for your answer , i understand now about two dimensional lie algebra


but can u give "real(not field)" example two dimensional non abelian lie algebra , from what vector space to what? and lie bracket define in there...
thanks guys

my essay is about lie algebra, sorry if I'm a little new in a lie algebra

thanks all for your help and answer
 

Similar threads

Replies
19
Views
3K
Replies
15
Views
3K
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
0
Views
3K
Replies
3
Views
431
Replies
5
Views
4K
Replies
1
Views
1K
Back
Top