The Witt algebra is a type of infinite-dimensional Lie algebra that emerges prominently in the study of algebraic structures, particularly in the context of mathematical physics and algebra. It can be thought of as the Lie algebra associated with certain symmetries of polynomial functions.
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Over , the Witt algebra is the Lie algebra of algebraic derivations of the Laurent polynomial ring . It has basis for . The commutator of these differential operators isIndeed, the second-derivative terms cancel in the commutator, leaving the derivative of the coefficient of each operator. The span of is a copy of the sl2 Lie algebra: take , , .
The Witt algebra models finite Fourier series of complexified vector fields on the circle. Its nontrivial one-dimensional central extension of a Lie algebra is the Virasoro algebra, whose central term changes the representation theory relevant to conformal field theory.