Compact Lie algebra

In the mathematical field of Lie theory, there are two definitions of a compact Lie algebra. Extrinsically and topologically, a compact Lie algebra is the Lie algebra of a compact Lie group;[1] this definition includes tori. Intrinsically and algebraically, a compact Lie algebra is a real Lie algebra whose Killing form is negative definite; this definition is more restrictive and excludes tori,.[2] A compact Lie algebra can be seen as the smallest real form of a corresponding complex Lie algebra, namely the complexification.

  1. ^ (Knapp 2002, Section 4, pp. 248–251)
  2. ^ (Knapp 2002, Propositions 4.26, 4.27, pp. 249–250)

Developed by StudentB