English

Extending $\pi$-systems to bases of root systems

Representation Theory 2016-09-07 v3

Abstract

Let RR be an indecomposable root system. It is well known that any root is part of a basis BB of RR. But when can you extend a set of two or more roots to a basis BB of RR? A π\pi-system is a linearly independent set of roots, CC, such that if α\alpha and β\beta are in CC, then αβ\alpha - \beta is not a root. We will use results of Dynkin and Bourbaki to show that with two exceptions, A3BnA_3 \subset B_n and A7E8A_7 \subset E_8, an indecomposable π\pi-system whose Dynkin diagram is a subdiagram of the Dynkin diagram of RR can always be extended to a basis of RR.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.math/0410357,
  title  = {Extending $\pi$-systems to bases of root systems},
  author = {Helmer Aslaksen and Mong Lung Lang},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:math/0410357},
  year   = {2016}
}

Comments

6 pages, LaTeX. Corrected typo in statement of theorem and clarified proof

R2 v1 2026-07-22T17:11:14.819Z