English

Two-generation of traceless matrices over finite fields

Rings and Algebras 2025-02-25 v3

Abstract

We prove that the Lie algebra sln(Fq)\mathfrak{sl}_n(\textbf{F}_q) of traceless matrices over a finite field of characteristic pp can be generated by 22 elements with exceptions when (n,p)(n, p) is (3,3)(3, 3) or (4,2)(4,2). In the latter cases, we establish curious identities that obstruct 22-generation.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2404.11240,
  title  = {Two-generation of traceless matrices over finite fields},
  author = {Omer Cantor and Urban Jezernik and Andoni Zozaya},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2404.11240},
  year   = {2025}
}
R2 v1 2026-06-28T15:57:01.503Z