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In its block form, a matrix-unit basis of the unitary Lie algebra spans the anti-Hermitian block $A$, with the corresponding conjugate block below. Independent real and imaginary symmetric matrix units span $B$, with lower block $-\overline{B}$. These give $n^2+n(n+1)$ independent real generators, including diagonal symmetric entries.

Over $\mathbb{R}$ or $\mathbb{C}$, a Lie algebra is a vector space with a bilinear map $[,]$ which is alternating and obeys the Jacobi identity:Bilinearity and alternation imply $[X,Y]=-[Y,X]$.

For a Matrix Lie group, identify the tangent space $\mathfrak{g}=T_{I}G$ with derivatives ${\gamma }^{\prime }(0)$ of smooth curves through $I$. Product curves show that the sum of two such derivatives is again tangent, and reparametrization supplies scalar multiples. In particular this is a real vector space, even when the matrices have complex entries. For $X,Y\in \mathfrak{g}$, choose a curve $\gamma (s)$ with ${\gamma }^{\prime }(0)=X$. Conjugating a curve with derivative $Y$ shows thatDifferentiate this curve in the finite-dimensional vector space $\mathfrak{g}$. The result isThe matrix commutator is bilinear and alternating, and expanding the six terms proves its Jacobi identity. Thus this construction gives the Lie algebra of a matrix Lie group, with the appropriate bracket, using actual group curves rather than an assumed commutator closure.

For the unitary group, differentiating $\gamma (t{)}^{†}\gamma (t)=I$ gives $X^{†}+X=0$. Conversely, if $X^{†}=-X$, then $e^{tX}$ is unitary and is a curve with derivative $X$. ConsequentlyThis is the unitary Lie algebra. The diagonal entries are purely imaginary, contributing $N$ real parameters, and each upper off-diagonal entry contributes two real parameters. A matrix-unit basis of the unitary Lie algebra isThese $N+2\left(\genfrac{}{}{0ex}{}{N}{2}\right)=N^2$ anti-Hermitian matrix units and their combinations are linearly independent over $\mathbb{R}$ and span every allowed entry.

The symplectic stabilizer is a subgroup: the identity preserves $J$, and if $MJ{M}^T=J$ and $NJ{N}^T=J$, thenMultiplying $MJ{M}^T=J$ on the left by $M^{-1}$ and on the right by $M^{-T}$ gives $M^{-1}J{M}^{-T}=J$. Products and inverses remain unitary. This is the compact symplectic group, often denoted $USp(2n)$ or $Sp(n)$.

Differentiating the stabilizer equation gives $XJ+J{X}^T=0$. For $X=\left(\begin{array}{cc}A& B\\ C& D\end{array}\right)$, this saysTogether with $X^{†}=-X$, these are equivalentlyThese conditions are also sufficient: $e^{tX}$ is unitary, andHence it stays in the subgroup. They characterize its compact symplectic Lie algebra without adding any trace condition. In fact the trace automatically vanishes. The free anti-Hermitian block $A$ has $n^2$ real parameters, and the complex symmetric matrix $B$ has $n(n+1)$ real parameters. Thus

Here is a complete matrix-unit basis of the compact symplectic Lie algebra. The generators supplying $A$ areThe two families supplying the real and imaginary parts of $B$ are, for $1\le i\le j\le n$,The denominator merely avoids double-counting diagonal entries. Each displayed generator obeys both defining tangent conditions. The $H,P,Q$ generators form a real basis of the allowed $A$ blocks, and the $U,V$ generators form a real basis of the complex symmetric $B$ blocks. Thus they are independent and their total number is $n(2n+1)$. They give all generators required by the real compact algebra, including the case $n=1$.