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Weil algebra of a Lie algebra

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Let be a connected Lie group with Lie algebra . The Weil algebra of was first introduced in a series of seminars by H. Cartan [a1], in part based on some unpublished work of A. Weil. As a differential graded algebra, it is given by the tensor product

where and denote the exterior and symmetric algebras, respectively (cf. also Exterior algebra; Symmetric algebra).

The Weil algebra and its generalizations have been studied extensively by F.W. Kamber and Ph. Tondeur [a3] [a4]. Let be a maximal compact subgroup, with denoting the Lie algebra of . The relative Weil algebra for is defined by

With regards to the universal classifying bundle (cf. also Bundle; Classifying space; Universal space), there are canonical isomorphisms in cohomology

where denotes the -invariant polynomials. For a given integer , one has the ideal

generated by , for . This leads to the truncated Weil algebra

The cohomology plays a prominent role in the study of secondary characteristic classes (cf. also Characteristic class) of foliations and foliated bundles [a3] (see also [a2]).

References

[a1] H. Cartan, "Cohomologie réelle d'un espace fibré principal differentiable" , Sem. H. Cartan 1949/50, Exp. 19–20 (1950)
[a2] J.L. Dupont, F.W. Kamber, "On a generalization of Cheeger–Chern–Simons classes" Illinois J. Math. , 34 (1990)
[a3] F.W. Kamber, Ph. Tondeur, "Foliated bundles and characteristic classes" , Lecture Notes in Mathematics , 493 , Springer (1975)
[a4] F.W. Kamber, Ph. Tondeur, "Semi-simplicial Weil algebras and characteristic classes" Tôhoku Math. J. , 30 (1978) pp. 373–422
How to Cite This Entry:
Weil algebra of a Lie algebra. Encyclopedia of Mathematics. URL: http://encyclopediaofmath.org/index.php?title=Weil_algebra_of_a_Lie_algebra&oldid=24593
This article was adapted from an original article by James F. Glazebrook (originator), which appeared in Encyclopedia of Mathematics - ISBN 1402006098. See original article