Classification of nontrivial one-parameter subgroups

For $X\ne 0$, the image of $t\mapsto e^{tX}$, with its intrinsic immersed Lie subgroup topology, is isomorphic to $(\mathbb{R},+)$ or the circle group. The kernel is respectively zero or $\tau \mathbb{Z}$ for a least positive period $\tau$. The case $X=0$ is the trivial group. An irrational winding in a two-dimensional torus need not be an embedded or closed subgroup, so its intrinsic topology must be distinguished from the subspace topology.

For $X=\left(\begin{array}{cc}a& b\\ c& -a\end{array}\right)$, the image of its matrix exponential is compact precisely when $a^2+bc<0$ or $X=0$. If $a^2+bc=-{\omega }^2<0$, then $e^{tX}=\cos (\omega t)I_2+\sin (\omega t)X/\omega$ and its image is conjugate to the circle group. A nonzero nilpotent generator or a generator with real nonzero eigenvalues produces an unbounded image.