Description

Lie algebras describe the infinitesimal symmetries associated with classical symmetry groups such as $SO(N)$ and $SU(N)$. Though this connection to the associated groups, known as Lie groups, has very interesting geometric meaning, the Lie algebras themselves have a very rich mathematical structure which can be studied independently. Given an algebraic structure such as a group or a Lie algebra, one can try to study the algebraic object using linear algebra, by considering vector spaces on which the algebraic object acts through linear transformations. Such a vector space, along with a description of how the algebraic objects acts on the space, is known as a representation of the algebraic object. In a physical context, representations of Lie algebras appear naturally, as the quantum states of the physical system must form representations of the underlying symmetry algebra of the system.

In this project, we will start by introducing the theory of Lie algebras and their representations. We will see how Lie algebras may be classified by their root systems and the associated Dynkin diagrams. We will see how the root systems of these Lie algebras can be used to construct interesting lattices with connections to many different areas of mathematics and physics. Depending on your interests, as part of this project you will be able to explore how Lie algebras connect to linear codes, modular forms, moonshine (connections between modular forms and the representation theory of simple groups - also see here for a nice article), string theory and conformal field theory.

A Kummer K3 surface This picture shows a projection of the E8 root system into the Coxeter plane A plot of the Klein j-invariant in the complex plane, where the colour shows the value of the j function at that point.
On the left we have an image of a \(K3\) surface. The middle image shows the root system of the Lie algebra \(E8\). On the right we have a plot of the Klein j-function in the complex plane.

Prerequisites

Algebra II is a prerequisite for this project. Representation Theory III will be beneficial to this project, but it is not a compulsory prerequisite. Students taking this project will also be expected to have a good understanding of linear algebra

Resources

Additional Week 1 Reading: