Essays in the History of Lie Groups and Algebraic Groups

Erscheinungsjahr 2001
ISBN: 978-0-8218-0288-5
Verlag: American Mathematical Society

Buch, Englisch, Band 21, Format (B × H): 187 mm x 261 mm, Gewicht: 579 g

Reihe: History of Mathematics

Algebraic groups and Lie groups are important in most major areas of mathematics, occuring in diverse roles such as the symmetries of differential equations and as central figures in the Langlands program for number theory. In this book, Professor Borel looks at the development of the theory of Lie groups and algebraic groups, highlighting the evolution from the almost purely local theory at the start to the global theory that we know today. As the starting point of this passage
from local to global, the author takes Lie's theory of local analytic transformation groups and Lie algebras. He then follows the globalization of the process in its two most important frameworks: (transcendental) differential geometry and algebraic geometry. Chapters II to IV are devoted to the former, Chapters V to VIII, to the latter.The essays in the first part of the book survey various proofs of the full reducibility of linear representations of $SL 2M$, the contributions H. Weyl to representation and invariant theory for Lie groups, and conclude with a chapter on E. Cartan's theory of symmetric spaces and Lie groups in the large.

The second part of the book starts with Chapter V describing the development of the theory of linear algebraic groups in the 19th century. Many of the main contributions here are due to E. Study, E. Cartan, and above all, to L. Maurer. After being abandoned for nearly 50 years, the theory was revived by Chevalley and Kolchin and then further developed by many others. This is the focus of Chapter VI. The book concludes with two chapters on various aspects of the works of Chevalley on Lie groups
and algebraic groups and Kolchin on algebraic groups and the Galois theory of differential fields.

The author brings a unique perspective to this study. As an important developer of some of the modern elements of both the differential geometric and the algebraic geometric sides of the theory, he has a particularly deep appreciation of the underlying mathematics. His lifelong involvement and his historical research in the subject give him a special appreciation of the story of its development.

Fachgebiete

• Mathematik | Informatik Mathematik Topologie Algebraische Topologie
• Mathematik | Informatik Mathematik Mathematische Analysis Elementare Analysis und Allgemeine Begriffe
• Interdisziplinäres Wissenschaften Wissenschaften: Allgemeines Geschichte der Naturwissenschaften, Formalen Wissenschaften & Technik
• Mathematik | Informatik Mathematik Geometrie Differentialgeometrie
• Mathematik | Informatik Mathematik Geometrie Nicht-Euklidische Geometrie
• Mathematik | Informatik Mathematik Mathematische Analysis Funktionentheorie, Komplexe Analysis
• Mathematik | Informatik Mathematik Algebra Algebraische Strukturen, Gruppentheorie
• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Philosophie der Mathematik, Philosophie der Physik
• Naturwissenschaften Physik Physik Allgemein Geschichte der Physik
• Mathematik | Informatik Mathematik Mathematik Allgemein Philosophie der Mathematik
• Mathematik | Informatik Mathematik Algebra Lineare und multilineare Algebra, Matrizentheorie
• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Geschichtliche Themen Wissenschafts- und Universitätsgeschichte
• Interdisziplinäres Wissenschaften Wissenschaften: Allgemeines Geschichte der Human- und Sozialwissenschaften