 SU(3) Lie algebra

The compact real Lie algebra $\mathfrak{su}(3)$ consists of traceless anti-Hermitian $3\times 3$ matrices. Physicists often specify Hermitian generators $t_a$ instead, so the genuine Lie algebra elements are $i{t}_a$. The compact real algebra and its complexification ${\mathfrak{sl}}_3(\mathbb{C})$ should be distinguished.