Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
Kac-Moody Lie algebras 9 were introduced in the mid-1960s independently by V. Kac and R. Moody, generalizing the finite-dimensional semisimple Lie alge- bras which we refer to as the finite case. The theory has undergone tremendous developments in various directions and connections with diverse areas abound, including mathematical physics, so much so that this theory has become a stan- dard tool in mathematics. A detailed treatment of the Lie algebra aspect of the theory can be found in V. Kac's book Kac-90l This self-contained work treats the algebro-geometric and the topological aspects of Kac-Moody theory from scratch. The emphasis is on the study of the Kac-Moody groups 9 and their flag varieties XY, including their detailed construction, and their applications to the representation theory of g. In the finite case, 9 is nothing but a semisimple Y simply-connected algebraic group and X is the flag variety 9 /Py for a parabolic subgroup p y C g.
Synopsis
This is the first monograph to exclusively treat Kac-Moody (K-M) groups, a standard tool in math and math physics, with connections to number theory, combinatorics, topology, singularities, quantum groups, and completely integrable systems. A self-contained text, systematically presented from the Lie algebra to the broader K-M Lie group setting. No prior knowledge of K-M Lie algebras is required. Exposition features numerous examples, illustrations, challenging problems, exercises, and is suitable for grad courses. Also of interest to researchers at the crossroads of representation theory, geometry, and topology.