Space over an algebra

A space with a differential-geometric structure whose points can be provided with coordinates from some algebra. In most cases the algebra is assumed to be associative with identity, and sometimes alternative with identity (cf. Associative rings and algebras; Alternative rings and algebras).

To construct a large class of spaces over an algebra one can start with a module over the algebra, whose definition can be obtained from that of a vector space over a skew-field by replacing the skew-field by an associative algebra with identity (cf. [1], [3]). By relating to the elements of the module, called vectors, new elements, called points, related to the vectors by the same axioms as the points of an affine space are related to its vectors, one obtains an affine space over an associative algebra with identity. The affine transformations in the affine space over an algebra have coordinate representation

where is a continuous algebra automorphism. The -dimensional affine space over an algebra, of rank over a certain field, has a unique model (representation) in the -dimensional affine space over the same field. In this model, every point of the affine space over the algebra is mapped to a point of the -dimensional affine space over the field considered whose coordinates are the expansion coefficients of the coordinates of in the basis elements of the algebra. If the basis elements , , of the algebra are related by structure equations

where are the structure constants of the algebra, then each basis element corresponds in the model to the linear transformation with matrix

(*)

where identical -dimensional blocks occupy the principal diagonal. In affine spaces over algebras one can specify a Hermitian metric (Euclidean and pseudo-Euclidean), while in the case of commutative algebras even a quadratic (Euclidean and pseudo-Euclidean) metric can be given. To do this one defines in a unital module a scalar vector product , in the first case with the property

where is an involutory anti-automorphism (an involution) of the algebra, and in the second case with the property

The scalar square of a vector determines a metric invariant of the pair of points . The motions of Euclidean and pseudo-Euclidean spaces are the affine transformations preserving the scalar vector product. Replacing in the definition of elliptic and hyperbolic spaces over an algebra the scalar vector product by a scalar vector product for which or , one obtains Hermitian, or quadratic symplectic, spaces over an algebra.

The variety of one-dimensional submodules of an -dimensional unital module over an algebra is called the -dimensional projective space over ; its points are the one-dimensional submodules, while the projective coordinates of a point are the coordinates of any vector generating the corresponding one-dimensional submodule. In a projective space over an algebra one defines collineations and correlations as in a projective space over a field (cf. Collineation; Correlation). In projective coordinates, collineations have the form

where is a continuous algebra automorphism, and correlations have the form

where is a continuous algebra anti-automorphism, and are projective hyperplane coordinates. The introduction of a scalar vector product in a unital module makes it possible to define in a projective space constructed by means of this module Hermitian, or in the case of a commutative algebra — quadratic elliptic and hyperbolic, metrics. The scalar products of vectors of the corresponding submodules determine metric invariants of the points of these spaces by means of the cross ratio

If is a real number, then the invariant for which is called the distance between the corresponding points (cf. [2]). Projective, elliptic, hyperbolic, and symplectic spaces over real simple algebras (e.g., the algebras of real, complex or quaternion matrices) have the property that their fundamental groups are simple Lie groups of an infinite series. Euclidean, pseudo-Euclidean, quasi-elliptic, quasi-hyperbolic, and quasi-symplectic spaces over the same algebras have the property that their fundamental groups are quasi-simple Lie groups of the same series (cf. [2]); the same property is shared by projective, elliptic, hyperbolic, and symplectic spaces over semi-simple algebras, to which also belongs the algebra of dual numbers.

Projective and Hermitian (elliptic and parabolic) planes over alternative algebras are defined in a more involved manner. Their fundamental groups are simple or quasi-simple Lie groups of certain exceptional types.

References

[1]	N. Bourbaki, "Elements of mathematics. Algebra: Algebraic structures. Linear algebra" , 1 , Addison-Wesley (1974) pp. Chapt.1;2 (Translated from French)
[2]	B.A. Rozenfel'd, "Non-Euclidean spaces" , Moscow (1969) (In Russian)
[3]	W. Benz, "Vorlesungen über Geometrie der Algebren" , Springer (1973)

Comments

For a general theory of projective planes and spaces over rings of stable rank 2, which class of rings encompasses the finite-dimensional algebras, see [a1]–[a3]. For projective spaces over full matrix rings, in particular, see [a4].

References

[a1]	F.D. Veldkamp, "Projective planes over rings of stable rank 2" Geom. Dedicata , 11 (1981) pp. 285–308
[a2]	F.D. Veldkamp, "Projective ring planes and their homomorphisms" R. Kaya (ed.) et al. (ed.) , Rings and Geometry. NATO Adv. Study Inst., Instanbul 1984 , Reidel pp. 289–350
[a3]	F.D. Veldkamp, "Projective Barbilian spaces" Resultate Math. , 12 (1987) pp. 222–240; 434–449
[a4]	J.A. Thas, "The -dimensional projective space over the total matrix algebra of the -matrices with elements in the Galois field " Rend. Mat. , 4 (1971) pp. 459–532