We revisit with another view point the construction by R. Brylinski and B. Kostant of minimal representations of simple Lie groups. We start from a pair $(V,Q)$, where $V$ is a complex vector space and $Q$ a homogeneous polynomial of degree 4 on $V$. The manifold $\Xi $ is an orbit of a covering of ${\rm Conf}(V,Q)$, the conformal group of the pair $(V,Q)$, in a finite dimensional representation space. By a generalized Kantor-Koecher-Tits construction we obtain a complex simple Lie algebra $\mathfrak g$, and furthermore a real form ${\mathfrak g}_{\mathbb R}$. The connected and simply connected Lie group $G_{\mathbb R}$ with ${\rm Lie}(G_{\mathbb R})={\mathfrak g}_{\mathbb R}$ acts unitarily on a Hilbert space of holomorphic functions defined on the manifold $\Xi $.

For a maximal torus in a quasi-split semi-simple simply-connected group over a local field of characteristic $0$, Langlands and Shelstad constructed a cohomological invariant called the splitting invariant, which is an important component of their endoscopic transfer factors. We study this invariant in the case of a split real group and prove a decomposition theorem which expresses this invariant for a general torus as a product of the corresponding invariants for simple tori. We also show how this reduction formula allows for the comparison of splitting invariants between different tori in the given real group.

Representations of various one-dimensional central extensions of quantum tori (called quantum torus Lie algebras) were studied by several authors. Now we define a central extension of quantum tori so that all known representations can be regarded as representations of the new quantum torus Lie algebras $\mathfrak{L}_q$. The center of $\mathfrak{L}_q$ now is generally infinite dimensional. In this paper, $\mathbb{Z}$-graded Verma modules $\widetilde{V}(\varphi)$ over $\mathfrak{L}_q$ and their corresponding irreducible highest weight modules $V(\varphi)$ are defined for some linear functions $\varphi$. Necessary and sufficient conditions for $V(\varphi)$ to have all finite dimensional weight spaces are given. Also necessary and sufficient conditions for Verma modules $\widetilde{V}(\varphi)$ to be irreducible are obtained.

Let $A$ be a unital commutative associative algebra over a field of characteristic zero, $\k$ a Lie algebra, and $\zf$ a vector space, considered as a trivial module of the Lie algebra $\gf := A \otimes \kf$. In this paper, we give a description of the cohomology space $H^2(\gf,\zf)$ in terms of easily accessible data associated with $A$ and $\kf$. We also discuss the topological situation, where $A$ and $\kf$ are locally convex algebras.

We will study the following question: Are nilpotent conjugacy classes of reductive Lie algebras over $p$-adic fields definable? By definable, we mean definable by a formula in Pas's language. In this language, there are no field extensions and no uniformisers. Using Waldspurger's parametrization, we answer in the affirmative in the case of special orthogonal Lie algebras $\mathfrak{so}(n)$ for $n$ odd, over $p$-adic fields.

We use the monomial basis theory developed by Deng and Du to present an elementary algebraic construction of the canonical bases for both the Ringel--Hall algebra of a cyclic quiver and the positive part $\bU^+$ of the quantum affine $\frak{sl}_n$. This construction relies on analysis of quiver representations and the introduction of a new integral PBW-like basis for the Lusztig $\mathbb Z[v,v^{-1}]$-form of~$\bU^+$.

On associe \`a toute structure de proto-big\`ebre de Lie sur un espace vectoriel $F$ de dimension finie des structures d'alg\`ebre de Lie d'homotopie d\'efinies respectivement sur la suspension de l'alg\`ebre ext\'erieure de $F$ et celle de son dual $F^*$. Dans ces alg\`ebres, tous les crochets $n$-aires sont nuls pour $n \geq 4$ du fait qu'ils proviennent d'une structure de proto-big\`ebre de Lie. Plus g\'en\'eralement, on associe \`a un \'el\'ement de degr\'e impair de l'alg\`ebre ext\'erieure de la somme directe de $F$ et $F^*$, une collection d'applications multilin\'eaires antisym\'etriques sur l'alg\`ebre ext\'erieure de $F$ (resp.\ $F^*$), qui v\'erifient les identit\'es de Jacobi g\'en\'eralis\'ees, d\'efinissant les alg\`ebres de Lie d'homotopie, si l'\'el\'ement donn\'e est de carr\'e nul pour le grand crochet de l'alg\`ebre ext\'erieure de la somme directe de $F$ et de~$F^*$. To any proto-Lie algebra structure on a finite-dimensional vector space~$F$, we associate homotopy Lie algebra structures defined on the suspension of the exterior algebra of $F$ and that of its dual $F^*$, respectively. In these algebras, all $n$-ary brackets for $n \geq 4$ vanish because the brackets are defined by the proto-Lie algebra structure. More generally, to any element of odd degree in the exterior algebra of the direct sum of $F$ and $F^*$, we associate a set of multilinear skew-symmetric mappings on the suspension of the exterior algebra of $F$ (resp.\ $F^*$), which satisfy the generalized Jacobi identities, defining the homotopy Lie algebras, if the given element is of square zero with respect to the big bracket of the exterior algebra of the direct sum of $F$ and~$F^*$.

In this paper we classify indecomposable modules for the Lie algebra of vector fields on a torus that admit a compatible action of the algebra of functions. An important family of such modules is given by spaces of jets of tensor fields.

We give the general structure of complex (resp., real) $G$-graded contractions of Lie algebras where $G$ is an arbitrary finite Abelian group. For this purpose, we introduce a number of concepts, such as pseudobasis, higher-order identities, and sign invariants. We characterize the equivalence classes of $G$-graded contractions by showing that our set of invariants (support, higher-order identities, and sign invariants) is complete, which yields a classification.

We investigate a class of Lie algebras which we call {\it generalized reductive Lie algebras}. These are generalizations of semi-simple, reductive, and affine Kac--Moody Lie algebras. A generalized reductive Lie algebra which has an irreducible root system is said to be {\it irreducible\/} and we note that this class of algebras has been under intensive investigation in recent years. They have also been called {\it extended affine Lie algebras}. The larger class of generalized reductive Lie algebras has not been so intensively investigated. We study them in this paper and note that one way they arise is as fixed point subalgebras of finite order automorphisms. We show that the core modulo the center of a generalized reductive Lie algebra is a direct sum of centerless Lie tori. Therefore one can use the results known about the classification of centerless Lie tori to classify the cores modulo centers of generalized reductive Lie algebras.

This paper is devoted to the study of certain zeta distributions associated with simple non-Euclidean Jordan algebras. An explicit form of the corresponding functional equation and Bernstein-type identities is obtained.

A coplactic class in the symmetric group $\Sym_n$ consists of all permutations in $\Sym_n$ with a given Schensted $Q$-symbol, and may be described in terms of local relations introduced by Knuth. Any Lie element in the group algebra of $\Sym_n$ which is constant on coplactic classes is already constant on descent classes. As a consequence, the intersection of the Lie convolution algebra introduced by Patras and Reutenauer and the coplactic algebra introduced by Poirier and Reutenauer is the direct sum of all Solomon descent algebras.

We study the structure of generalized Verma modules over a semi-simple complex finite-dimensional Lie algebra, which are induced from simple modules over a parabolic subalgebra. We consider the case when the annihilator of the starting simple module is a minimal primitive ideal if we restrict this module to the Levi factor of the parabolic subalgebra. We show that these modules correspond to proper standard modules in some parabolic generalization of the Bernstein-Gelfand-Gelfand category $\Oo$ and prove that the blocks of this parabolic category are equivalent to certain blocks of the category of Harish-Chandra bimodules. From this we derive, in particular, an irreducibility criterion for generalized Verma modules. We also compute the composition multiplicities of those simple subquotients, which correspond to the induction from simple modules whose annihilators are minimal primitive ideals.

The main problem that is solved in this paper has the following simple formulation (which is not used in its solution). The group $K = \mathrm{O}_p ({\bf C}) \times \mathrm{O}_q ({\bf C})$ acts on the space $M_{p,q}$ of $p\times q$ complex matrices by $(a,b) \cdot x = axb^{-1}$, and so does its identity component $K^0 = \SO_p ({\bf C}) \times \SO_q ({\bf C})$. A $K$-orbit (or $K^0$-orbit) in $M_{p,q}$ is said to be nilpotent if its closure contains the zero matrix. The closure, $\overline{\mathcal{O}}$, of a nilpotent $K$-orbit (resp.\ $K^0$-orbit) ${\mathcal{O}}$ in $M_{p,q}$ is a union of ${\mathcal{O}}$ and some nilpotent $K$-orbits (resp.\ $K^0$-orbits) of smaller dimensions. The description of the closure of nilpotent $K$-orbits has been known for some time, but not so for the nilpotent $K^0$-orbits. A conjecture describing the closure of nilpotent $K^0$-orbits was proposed in \cite{DLS} and verified when $\min(p,q) \le 7$. In this paper we prove the conjecture. The proof is based on a study of two prehomogeneous vector spaces attached to $\mathcal{O}$ and determination of the basic relative invariants of these spaces. The above problem is equivalent to the problem of describing the closure of nilpotent orbits in the real Lie algebra $\mathfrak{so} (p,q)$ under the adjoint action of the identity component of the real orthogonal group $\mathrm{O}(p,q)$.

We develop an explicit skein-theoretical algorithm to compute the Alexander polynomial of a 3-manifold from a surgery presentation employing the methods used in the construction of quantum invariants of 3-manifolds. As a prerequisite we establish and prove a rather unexpected equivalence between the topological quantum field theory constructed by Frohman and Nicas using the homology of $U(1)$-representation varieties on the one side and the combinatorially constructed Hennings TQFT based on the quasitriangular Hopf algebra $\mathcal{N} = \mathbb{Z}/2 \ltimes \bigwedge^* \mathbb{R}^2$ on the other side. We find that both TQFT's are $\SL (2,\mathbb{R})$-equivariant functors and, as such, are isomorphic. The $\SL (2,\mathbb{R})$-action in the Hennings construction comes from the natural action on $\mathcal{N}$ and in the case of the Frohman--Nicas theory from the Hard--Lefschetz decomposition of the $U(1)$-moduli spaces given that they are naturally K\"ahler. The irreducible components of this TQFT, corresponding to simple representations of $\SL(2,\mathbb{Z})$ and $\Sp(2g,\mathbb{Z})$, thus yield a large family of homological TQFT's by taking sums and products. We give several examples of TQFT's and invariants that appear to fit into this family, such as Milnor and Reidemeister Torsion, Seiberg--Witten theories, Casson type theories for homology circles {\it \`a la} Donaldson, higher rank gauge theories following Frohman and Nicas, and the $\mathbb{Z}/p\mathbb{Z}$ reductions of Reshetikhin--Turaev theories over the cyclotomic integers $\mathbb{Z} [\zeta_p]$. We also conjecture that the Hennings TQFT for quantum-$\mathfrak{sl}_2$ is the product of the Reshetikhin--Turaev TQFT and such a homological TQFT.

Xu introduced a class of nongraded Hamiltonian Lie algebras. These Lie algebras have a Poisson bracket structure. In this paper, the isomorphism classes of these Lie algebras are determined by employing a ``sandwich'' method and by studying some features of these Lie algebras. It is obtained that two Hamiltonian Lie algebras are isomorphic if and only if their corresponding Poisson algebras are isomorphic. Furthermore, the derivation algebras and the second cohomology groups are determined.

We extend the basic theory of Lie algebras of affine algebraic groups to the case of pro-affine algebraic groups over an algebraically closed field $K$ of characteristic 0. However, some modifications are needed in some extensions. So we introduce the pro-discrete topology on the Lie algebra $\mathcal{L}(G)$ of the pro-affine algebraic group $G$ over $K$, which is discrete in the finite-dimensional case and linearly compact in general. As an example, if $L$ is any sub Lie algebra of $\mathcal{L}(G)$, we show that the closure of $[L,L]$ in $\mathcal{L}(G)$ is algebraic in $\mathcal{L}(G)$. We also discuss the Hopf algebra of representative functions $H(L)$ of a residually finite dimensional Lie algebra $L$. As an example, we show that if $L$ is a sub Lie algebra of $\mathcal{L}(G)$ and $G$ is connected, then the canonical Hopf algebra morphism from $K[G]$ into $H(L)$ is injective if and only if $L$ is algebraically dense in $\mathcal{L}(G)$.

Let $\calG$ be a finite dimensional simple Lie algebra over the complex numbers $C$. Fernando reduced the classification of infinite dimensional simple $\calG$-modules with a finite dimensional weight space to determining the simple torsion free $\calG$-modules for $\calG$ of type $A$ or $C$. These modules were determined by Mathieu and using his work we provide a more elementary construction realizing each one as a submodule of an easily constructed tensor product module.

Let $G$ be a symmetrizable indefinite Kac-Moody group over $\C$. Let $\Tr_{\La_1},\dots,\Tr_{\La_{2n-l}}$ be the characters of the fundamental irreducible representations of $G$, defined as convergent series on a certain part $G^{\tralg} \subseteq G$. Following Steinberg in the classical case and Br\"uchert in the affine case, we define the Steinberg map $\chi := (\Tr_{\La_1},\dots, \Tr_{\La_{2n-l}})$ as well as the Steinberg cross section $C$, together with a natural parametrisation $\omega \colon \C^{n} \times (\C^\times)^{\,n-l} \to C$. We investigate the local behaviour of $\chi$ on $C$ near $\omega \bigl( (0,\dots,0) \times (1,\dots,1) \bigr)$, and we show that there exists a neighborhood of $(0,\dots,0) \times (1,\dots,1)$, on which $\chi \circ \omega$ is a regular analytical map, satisfying a certain functional identity. This identity has its origin in an action of the center of $G$ on~$C$.

The `1-loop partition function' of a rational conformal field theory is a sesquilinear combination of characters, invariant under a natural action of $\SL_2(\bbZ)$, and obeying an integrality condition. Classifying these is a clearly defined mathematical problem, and at least for the affine Kac-Moody algebras tends to have interesting solutions. This paper finds for each affine algebra $B_r^{(1)}$ and $D_r^{(1)}$ all of these at level $k\le 3$. Previously, only those at level 1 were classified. An extraordinary number of exceptionals appear at level 2---the $B_r^{(1)}$, $D_r^{(1)}$ level 2 classification is easily the most anomalous one known and this uniqueness is the primary motivation for this paper. The only level 3 exceptionals occur for $B_2^{(1)} \cong C_2^{(1)}$ and $D_7^{(1)}$. The $B_{2,3}$ and $D_{7,3}$ exceptionals are cousins of the ${\cal E}_6$-exceptional and $\E_8$-exceptional, respectively, in the A-D-E classification for $A_1^{(1)}$, while the level 2 exceptionals are related to the lattice invariants of affine~$u(1)$.

A unified formulation is given to various generalizations of the classical numerical range including the $c$-numerical range, congruence numerical range, $q$-numerical range and von Neumann range. Attention is given to those cases having connections with classical simple real Lie algebras. Convexity and inclusion relation involving those generalized numerical ranges are investigated. The underlying geometry is emphasized.

Let $ L=L_0+L_1$ be a $\mathbb{Z}_2$-graded Lie algebra over a commutative ring with unity in which $2$ is invertible. Suppose that $L_0$ is abelian and $L$ is generated by finitely many homogeneous elements $a_1,\dots,a_k$ such that every commutator in $a_1,\dots,a_k$ is ad-nilpotent. We prove that $L$ is nilpotent. This implies that any periodic residually finite $2'$-group $G$ admitting an involutory automorphism $\phi$ with $C_G(\phi)$ abelian is locally finite.

Virasoro-toroidal algebras, $\tilde\mathcal{T}_{[n]}$, are semi-direct products of toroidal algebras $\mathcal{T}_{[n]}$ and the Virasoro algebra. The toroidal algebras are, in turn, multi-loop versions of affine Kac-Moody algebras. Let $\Gamma$ be an extension of a simply laced lattice $\dot{Q}$ by a hyperbolic lattice of rank two. There is a Fock space $V(\Gamma)$ corresponding to $\Gamma$ with a decomposition as a complex vector space: $V(\Gamma) = \coprod_{m \in \mathbf{Z}}K(m)$. Fabbri and Moody have shown that when $m \neq 0$, $K(m)$ is an irreducible representation of $\tilde\mathcal{T}_{[2]}$. In this paper we produce a filtration of $\tilde\mathcal{T}_{[2]}$-submodules of $K(0)$. When $L$ is an arbitrary geometric lattice and $n$ is a positive integer, we construct a Virasoro-Heisenberg algebra $\tilde\mathcal{H}(L,n)$. Let $Q$ be an extension of $\dot{Q}$ by a degenerate rank one lattice. We determine the components of $V(\Gamma)$ that are irreducible $\tilde\mathcal{H}(Q,1)$-modules and we show that the reducible components have a filtration of $\tilde\mathcal{H}(Q,1)$-submodules with completely reducible quotients. Analogous results are obtained for $\tilde\mathcal{H} (\dot{Q},2)$. These results complement and extend results of Fabbri and Moody.

We study polynomial invariants of systems of vectors with respect to exceptional simple algebraic groups in their minimal linear representations. For each type we prove that the algebra of invariants is integral over the subalgebra of trace polynomials for a suitable algebraic system (\cf\ \cite{Schw1}, \cite{Schw2}, \cite{Ilt}).

Nous montrons que l'invariant de Hasse-Witt de la forme de Killing d'une alg{\`e}bre de Lie semi-simple $L$ s'exprime {\`a} l'aide de l'invariant de Tits de la repr{\'e}sentation irr{\'e}ductible de $L$ de poids dominant $\rho=\frac{1}{2}$ (somme des racines positives), et des invariants associ{\'e}s au groupe des sym{\'e}tries du diagramme de Dynkin de $L$.