In mathematics, a Lie algebra is nilpotent if its lower central series terminates in the zero subalgebra. The lower central series is the sequence of subalgebras

We write , and for all . If the lower central series eventually arrives at the zero subalgebra, then the Lie algebra is called nilpotent. The lower central series for Lie algebras is analogous to the lower central series in group theory, and nilpotent Lie algebras are analogs of nilpotent groups.

The nilpotent Lie algebras are precisely those that can be obtained from abelian Lie algebras, by successive central extensions.

Note that the definition means that, viewed as a non-associative non-unital algebra, a Lie algebra is nilpotent if it is nilpotent as an ideal.

Definition edit

Let   be a Lie algebra. One says that   is nilpotent if the lower central series terminates, i.e. if   for some  

Explicitly, this means that

 
 

so that adX1adX2 ⋅⋅⋅ adXn = 0.

Equivalent conditions edit

A very special consequence of (1) is that

 

Thus (adX)n = 0 for all  . That is, adX is a nilpotent endomorphism in the usual sense of linear endomorphisms (rather than of Lie algebras). We call such an element x in   ad-nilpotent.

Remarkably, if   is finite dimensional, the apparently much weaker condition (2) is actually equivalent to (1), as stated by

Engel's theorem: A finite dimensional Lie algebra   is nilpotent if and only if all elements of   are ad-nilpotent,

which we will not prove here.

A somewhat easier equivalent condition for the nilpotency of   :   is nilpotent if and only if   is nilpotent (as a Lie algebra). To see this, first observe that (1) implies that   is nilpotent, since the expansion of an (n − 1)-fold nested bracket will consist of terms of the form in (1). Conversely, one may write[1]

 

and since ad is a Lie algebra homomorphism,

 

If   is nilpotent, the last expression is zero for large enough n, and accordingly the first. But this implies (1), so   is nilpotent.

Also, a finite-dimensional Lie algebra is nilpotent if and only if there exists a descending chain of ideals   such that  .[2]

Examples edit

Strictly upper triangular matrices edit

If   is the set of k × k matrices with entries in  , then the subalgebra consisting of strictly upper triangular matrices is a nilpotent Lie algebra.

Heisenberg algebras edit

A Heisenberg algebra is nilpotent. For example, in dimension 3, the commutator of two matrices

 

where  .

Cartan subalgebras edit

A Cartan subalgebra   of a Lie algebra   is nilpotent and self-normalizing[3] page 80. The self-normalizing condition is equivalent to being the normalizer of a Lie algebra. This means  . This includes upper triangular matrices   and all diagonal matrices   in  .

Other examples edit

If a Lie algebra   has an automorphism of prime period with no fixed points except at 0, then   is nilpotent.[4]

Properties edit

Nilpotent Lie algebras are solvable edit

Every nilpotent Lie algebra is solvable. This is useful in proving the solvability of a Lie algebra since, in practice, it is usually easier to prove nilpotency (when it holds!) rather than solvability. However, in general, the converse of this property is false. For example, the subalgebra of   (k ≥ 2) consisting of upper triangular matrices,  , is solvable but not nilpotent.

Subalgebras and images edit

If a Lie algebra   is nilpotent, then all subalgebras and homomorphic images are nilpotent.

Nilpotency of the quotient by the center edit

If the quotient algebra  , where   is the center of  , is nilpotent, then so is  . This is to say that a central extension of a nilpotent Lie algebra by a nilpotent Lie algebra is nilpotent.

Engel's theorem edit

Engel's theorem: A finite dimensional Lie algebra   is nilpotent if and only if all elements of   are ad-nilpotent.

Zero Killing form edit

The Killing form of a nilpotent Lie algebra is 0.

Have outer automorphisms edit

A nonzero nilpotent Lie algebra has an outer automorphism, that is, an automorphism that is not in the image of Ad.

Derived subalgebras of solvable Lie algebras edit

The derived subalgebra of a finite dimensional solvable Lie algebra over a field of characteristic 0 is nilpotent.

See also edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ Knapp 2002 Proposition 1.32.
  2. ^ Serre, Ch. I, Proposition 1.
  3. ^ Humphreys, James E. (1972). Introduction to Lie Algebras and Representation Theory. New York, NY: Springer New York. ISBN 978-1-4612-6398-2. OCLC 852791600.
  4. ^ Jacobson, N. (1989), Jacobson, Nathan (ed.), "A Note on Automorphisms and Derivations of Lie Algebras", Nathan Jacobson Collected Mathematical Papers: Volume 2 (1947–1965), Contemporary Mathematicians, Birkhäuser, pp. 251–253, doi:10.1007/978-1-4612-3694-8_16, ISBN 978-1-4612-3694-8

References edit