Maximal compact subgroup

In the context of Lie groups and algebraic groups, a **maximal compact subgroup** is a specific type of subgroup that has particular significance in the study of group structures. ### Definition: A **maximal compact subgroup** of a Lie group \( G \) is a compact subgroup \( K \) of \( G \) such that there is no other compact subgroup \( H \) of \( G \) that properly contains \( K \) (i.e.