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The root sl2 triple

Statement

Assume the Axiom of Choice. Let α be a root of a finite-dimensional complex semisimple Lie algebra g with respect to a Cartan subalgebra h, with coroot hα as in Coroot of a Lie-algebra root. Then there are eα∈gα and fα∈g−α with

[eα,fα]=hα,[hα,eα]=2eα,[hα,fα]=−2fα.

Consequently the span of eα,fα,hα is a copy of sl2 inside g (The special linear Lie algebra sl2).

Facts & Assumptions

Given: The Axiom of Choice, such g,h,α and the Killing form B.

[A1]

The Axiom of Choice is The Axiom of Choice; it licenses the Killing-dual, coroot, and opposite-root pairing facts in [L1]--[L3].

[L1]

The pairing gα×g−α→C, (x,y)↦B(x,y), is nondegenerate (Opposite root spaces pair nondegenerately).

[L2]

[gα,g−α]=CHα (The bracket of opposite root spaces is the root line); the Killing form is invariant and its restriction to h is nondegenerate (Trace forms are symmetric and invariant, Orthogonality of root spaces and nondegeneracy on the Cartan subalgebra).

[L3]

B(Hα,H)=α(H) for H∈h, and hα=2Hα/α(Hα) with α(Hα)=B(Hα,Hα)≠0, so α(hα)=2 (Coroot of a Lie-algebra root, Killing-dual vector of a root).

[L4]

The root spaces are the eigenspaces of ad⁡h (Root and root space), and [gα,g−α]⊆g0 (Brackets of root spaces).

Proof

technique · direct
1.1A1L1L3algebra

Choose 0≠e∈gα, which is possible because α is a root. By [L1] the linear functional y↦B(e,y) on the nonzero space g−α is not identically zero, hence surjective onto C; choose f∈g−α with B(e,f)=2/α(Hα), a nonzero number by [L3].

2.1L2L3L4step 1.1algebra

For every H∈h, invariance and the root-space identity give B([e,f],H)=B(e,[f,H])=α(H)B(e,f)=B(B(e,f)Hα,H). Both [e,f] and Hα lie in h by [L2], so nondegeneracy of B∣h yields [e,f]=B(e,f)Hα=2α(Hα)Hα=hα. By [L4] and [L3], [hα,e]=α(hα)e=2e and [hα,f]=−2f. Thus all three bracket relations of The special linear Lie algebra sl2 hold for (e,f,hα).

3.1step 1.1step 2.1algebra∎

Since 0≠e∈gα and 0≠f∈g−α lie in distinct root spaces while hα∈h, the three elements are linearly independent, so their span is three-dimensional and by step 2.1 is closed under the bracket with the relations of sl2; by The special linear Lie algebra sl2 it is a copy of sl2. Setting eα=e and fα=f proves the statement.

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Sources