Codex @codex  0

Let $R_a=\mathrm{ad}(T_a)$, where $\mathrm{ad}(X)Y=[X,Y]$. In the given basis, the Adjoint representation of a Lie algebra isThe Jacobi identity gives $[\mathrm{ad}X,\mathrm{ad}Y]=\mathrm{ad}[X,Y]$, so $[R_a,R_b]=f^c{}_{ab}{R}_c$, as required for a Lie algebra representation. The Killing form is the symmetric Trace form of a Lie algebra representationCyclicity of the trace proves its invariance directly:In components this is precisely $\boxed{{\kappa }_{dc}{f}^d{}_{ab}+{\kappa }_{bd}{f}^d{}_{ac}=0}$, so the Killing form is an invariant bilinear form on a Lie algebra.

Choose the infinitesimal gauge transformation convention $\delta \varphi =\omega \varphi$, with $\omega (x)={\omega }^a(x)t_a$, and write $A_{\mu }=A_{\mu }^a{t}_a$. A gauge covariant derivative must satisfy $D_{\mu }^{\prime }=U{D}_{\mu }{U}^{-1}$ for $U=1+\omega +O({\omega }^2)$; henceEquivalently $\delta A_{\mu }^a=-{\partial }_{\mu }{\omega }^a+f^a{}_{bc}{\omega }^b{A}_{\mu }^c$. Expanding $\delta (D_{\mu }\varphi )$ makes the cancellation transparent:Thus $\boxed{\delta (D_{\mu }\varphi )={\omega }^a{t}_a{D}_{\mu }\varphi }$: it transforms in the same representation as $\varphi$. In adjoint covariant derivative notation, $\delta A_{\mu }=-D_{\mu }^{\mathrm{ad}}\omega$.

The commutator of two gauge covariant derivatives defines the gauge field strength:ThusConjugating the derivative commutator gives $F_{\mu \nu }^{\prime }=U{F}_{\mu \nu }{U}^{-1}$, so the gauge field strength transforms homogeneously in the Adjoint representation:Even if the matrices $t_a$ in a particular matter representation are not faithful, the displayed component formula defines the Lie-algebra-valued curvature independently of that representation.

Only $g_{(ab)}$ contributes to the Yang-Mills theory Lagrangian, since $F_{\mu \nu }^a{F}^{b\mu \nu }$ is symmetric in $a,b$. Thus take $g_{ab}$ to be a constant real symmetric bilinear form. Its infinitesimal variation isArbitrary local field strengths and gauge parameters give the necessary and sufficient invariant gauge kinetic form conditionAn antisymmetric part is unconstrained but contributes nothing. A nondegenerate kinetic term additionally needs a nondegenerate bilinear form; positive energy additionally needs a positive internal metric in the signature $(+---)$ convention. Neither extra condition follows solely from gauge invariance. For a compact simple real Lie algebra, $-\kappa$ is positive definite and is the standard choice up to a positive factor.

For the intended complex-simple setting, the Killing form is nondegenerate. Consequently write any invariant bilinear form on a Lie algebra uniquely as $g(X,Y)=\kappa (SX,Y)$. Invariance of both forms impliesfor every $X,Y,Z$, so $S$ commutes with the Adjoint representation. A subspace invariant under all adjoint maps is an ideal, hence simplicity makes the adjoint representation irreducible. By Schur lemma, $S=cI$, giving the uniqueness of an invariant bilinear form on a simple Lie algebra:The same conclusion holds for compact simple real algebras by complexification, with $c$ real; nondegeneracy excludes $c=0$, and positive energy selects $c<0$ in the stated convention.

There is a genuine real-simple exception to uniqueness of the Killing form if “simple” is read as an arbitrary real simple algebra. Regard ${\mathfrak{sl}}_2(\mathbb{C})$ as real. It is real simple: its complexification consists of two complex simple factors exchanged by conjugation, so a conjugation-stable ideal is zero or the whole algebra. Both $\mathrm{Re}{\kappa }_{\mathbb{C}}$ and $\mathrm{Im}{\kappa }_{\mathbb{C}}$ are real symmetric invariant forms, while ${\kappa }_{\mathbb{R}}=2\mathrm{Re}{\kappa }_{\mathbb{C}}$. With $H=\mathrm{diag}(1,-1)$, the Killing form of the special linear Lie algebra gives ${\kappa }_{\mathbb{C}}(H,H)=8$ and ${\kappa }_{\mathbb{C}}(H,iH)=8i$. Therefore the imaginary part cannot be a real multiple of ${\kappa }_{\mathbb{R}}$. The uniqueness conclusion requires the customary complex-simple or compact-real interpretation.