Monster Lie algebra

In mathematics, the monster Lie algebra is an infinite dimensional generalized Kac–Moody algebra acted on by the monster group, which was used to prove the monstrous moonshine conjectures.

Structure

The monster Lie algebra m is a Z2-graded Lie algebra. The piece of degree (m,n) has dimension cmn if (m,n) is nonzero, and dimension 2 if (m,n) is (0,0). The integers cn are the coefficients of qn of the j-invariant as elliptic modular function

j(q) -744 = {1 \over q} %2B 196884 q %2B 21493760 q^2 %2B \cdots.

The Cartan subalgebra is the 2-dimensional subspace of degree (0,0), so the monster Lie algebra has rank 2.

The monster Lie algebra has just one real simple root, given by the vector (1,-1), and the Weyl group has order 2, and acts by mapping (m,n) to (n,m). The imaginary simple roots are the vectors

(1,n) for n = 1,2,3,...,

and they have multiplicities cn.

The denominator formula for the monster Lie algebra is the product formula for the j-invariant:

j(p)-j(q) = \left({1 \over p} - {1 \over q}\right) \prod_{n,m=1}^{\infty}(1-p^n q^m)^{c_{nm}}.

Construction

There are two ways to construct the monster Lie algebra. As it is a generalized Kac–Moody algebra whose simple roots are known, it can be defined by explicit generators and relations; however, this presentation does not give an action of the monster group on it.

It can also be constructed from the monster vertex algebra by using the no-ghost theorem of string theory. This construction is much harder, but has the advantage of proving that the monster group acts naturally on it.

References