Lie Groups and Lie Algebras: Chapters 7-9, Volume 3; Volume 7

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Springer Berlin Heidelberg, Nov 18, 2004 - Mathematics - 434 pages

This is the softcover reprint of the English translation of Bourbaki's text Groupes et Algèbres de Lie, Chapters 7 to 9. It completes the previously published translations of Chapters 1 to 3 (3-540-64242-0) and 4 to 6 (978-3-540-69171-6) by covering the structure and representation theory of semi-simple Lie algebras and compact Lie groups. Chapter 7 deals with Cartan subalgebras of Lie algebras, regular elements and conjugacy theorems. Chapter 8 begins with the structure of split semi-simple Lie algebras and their root systems. It goes on to describe the finite-dimensional modules for such algebras, including the character formula of Hermann Weyl. It concludes with the theory of Chevalley orders. Chapter 9 is devoted to the theory of compact Lie groups, beginning with a discussion of their maximal tori, root systems and Weyl groups. It goes on to describe the representation theory of compact Lie groups, including the application of integration to establish Weyl's formula in this context. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the actions of compact Lie groups on manifolds. The nine chapters together form the most comprehensive text available on the theory of Lie groups and Lie algebras.

About the author (2004)

Nicolas Bourbaki is the pseudonym for a group of mathematicians that included Henri Cartan, Claude Chevalley, Jean Dieudonne, and Andres Weil. Mostly French, they emphasized an axiomatic and abstract treatment on all aspects of modern mathematics in Elements de mathematique. The first volume of Elements appeared in 1939. Subsequently, a wide variety of topics have been covered, including works on set theory, algebra, general topology, functions of a real variable, topological vector spaces, and integration. One of the goals of the Bourbaki series is to make the logical structure of mathematical concepts as transparent and intelligible as possible. The books listed below are typical of volumes written in the Bourbaki spirit and now available in English.

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