Dynkin diagrams and group theory

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Article #992

#992

From: Robert Wilde
Date: Thu, 09 Apr 1992 16:05

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When classifying Lie algebras used in physics the only possible choices,
I believe, are An, Bn, Cn, Dn, G2, F4, E6, E7, and E8 for the Dynkin diagrams.
If anyone can tell me, I'd like to know on what assumptions this conclusion
is made.  Is it only that the group is compact, or are there any additional
conditions?  Also, if the restriction of compactness is dropped, what type
of Dynkin diagrams are legal?
If there are any string theorists out there, could you recommend a good book
on the subject (string theory is based on a representation of E8, or am I
mistaken?). Thanks.
Bob

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From: wilde@husc8.harvard.edu (Robert Wilde)
Newsgroups: sci.physics
Subject: Dynkin diagrams and group theory
Message-ID: <1992Apr9.120545.10878@husc3.harvard.edu>
Date: 9 Apr 92 16:05:43 GMT
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