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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Root systems and Coxeter groupsCoxeter groups II
Hau-wen Huang
Department of Applied Mathematics, National Chiao Tung
University, Taiwan
August 13, 2009
1 / 64
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Content
I Coxeter groups
I Length function
I Geometric representation of W
I Geometric interpretation of the length function
I Radical of the bilinear form
I Dual representation
I Finite Coxeter groups
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Content
I Coxeter groups
I Length function
I Geometric representation of W
I Geometric interpretation of the length function
I Radical of the bilinear form
I Dual representation
I Finite Coxeter groups
3 / 64
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Content
I Coxeter groups
I Length function
I Geometric representation of W
I Geometric interpretation of the length function
I Radical of the bilinear form
I Dual representation
I Finite Coxeter groups
4 / 64
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Content
I Coxeter groups
I Length function
I Geometric representation of W
I Geometric interpretation of the length function
I Radical of the bilinear form
I Dual representation
I Finite Coxeter groups
5 / 64
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Content
I Coxeter groups
I Length function
I Geometric representation of W
I Geometric interpretation of the length function
I Radical of the bilinear form
I Dual representation
I Finite Coxeter groups
6 / 64
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Content
I Coxeter groups
I Length function
I Geometric representation of W
I Geometric interpretation of the length function
I Radical of the bilinear form
I Dual representation
I Finite Coxeter groups
7 / 64
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Content
I Coxeter groups
I Length function
I Geometric representation of W
I Geometric interpretation of the length function
I Radical of the bilinear form
I Dual representation
I Finite Coxeter groups
8 / 64
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
References
N. Bourbaki,Lie Groups and Lie algebras: Chapters
4-6,Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 2002.
J. E. Humphreys,Reflection Groups and Coxeter Groups,Cambridge
University Press, Cambridge, 1990.
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Radical of the bilinear form
10 / 64
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Radical of the bilinear form
Our task of this section is to show:
If W is infinite, then the center Z (W ) of W is trivial.
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Radical of the bilinear form
Recall that
I the definition of the irreducible Coxeter system (W ,S).
I the bilinear form B defined by
B(αs , αs′) := − cosπ
m(s, s ′).
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Radical of the bilinear form
The radical of B is
V⊥ := {λ ∈ V | B(λ, µ) = 0 ∀µ ∈ V }.
We say that B on V is nondegenerate if V⊥ = {0};otherwise, B is
degenerate.
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Radical of the bilinear form
Basic properties for V⊥ :
I V⊥ is a W -invariant proper subspace.
I V⊥ =⋂
s∈S Hs .
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Radical of the bilinear form
Basic properties for V⊥ :
I V⊥ is a W -invariant proper subspace.
I V⊥ =⋂
s∈S Hs .
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Radical of the bilinear form
Basic properties for V⊥ :
I V⊥ is a W -invariant proper subspace.
I V⊥ =⋂
s∈S Hs .
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Radical of the bilinear form
Proposition
Assume that (W ,S) is irreducible. Every proper W
-invariantsubspace of V is included in the radical V⊥ of the form
B.
Proof.
Let V ′ be a W -invariant proper subspace. Irreducibilityfor (W
,S) implies that no root αs (s ∈ S) lies in V ′. For anyλ ∈ V ′ and
s ∈ S , since σsλ− λ ∈′ V , we have B(αs , λ) = 0.Hence V ′ lies
in
⋂s∈S Hs = V
⊥. �
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Radical of the bilinear form
Proposition
Assume that (W ,S) is irreducible. Every proper W
-invariantsubspace of V is included in the radical V⊥ of the form
B.
Proof. Let V ′ be a W -invariant proper subspace.
Irreducibilityfor (W ,S) implies that no root αs (s ∈ S) lies in V
′.
For anyλ ∈ V ′ and s ∈ S , since σsλ− λ ∈′ V , we have B(αs , λ)
= 0.Hence V ′ lies in
⋂s∈S Hs = V
⊥. �
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Radical of the bilinear form
Proposition
Assume that (W ,S) is irreducible. Every proper W
-invariantsubspace of V is included in the radical V⊥ of the form
B.
Proof. Let V ′ be a W -invariant proper subspace.
Irreducibilityfor (W ,S) implies that no root αs (s ∈ S) lies in V
′. For anyλ ∈ V ′ and s ∈ S , since σsλ− λ ∈′ V , we have B(αs , λ)
= 0.
Hence V ′ lies in⋂
s∈S Hs = V⊥. �
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USER註解move ' to the upper right corner of V
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Radical of the bilinear form
Proposition
Assume that (W ,S) is irreducible. Every proper W
-invariantsubspace of V is included in the radical V⊥ of the form
B.
Proof. Let V ′ be a W -invariant proper subspace.
Irreducibilityfor (W ,S) implies that no root αs (s ∈ S) lies in V
′. For anyλ ∈ V ′ and s ∈ S , since σsλ− λ ∈′ V , we have B(αs , λ)
= 0.Hence V ′ lies in
⋂s∈S Hs = V
⊥. �
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Radical of the bilinear form
Corollary
Assume that (W ,S) is irreducible.
(i) If B is degenerate, then V fails to be completely
reducibleas a W -module.
(ii) If B is nondegenerate, then V is irreducible as aW
-module.
�
21 / 64
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Radical of the bilinear form
Corollary
Assume that (W ,S) is irreducible. The only endomorphisms ofV
commuting with the action of W are the scalars.
Proof.
Let z be an endomorphism of V commuting with all σsfor s ∈ S .
Fix any s ∈ S . From zσs = σsz acting on αs , wefind zαs = cαs for
some scalar c . Claim that z = c · 1. Observethat kernel V ′ of z −
c · 1 is a W -invariant subspace andV ′ 6= {0}. Thanks to the above
proposition and αs ∈ V ′, wemust have V ′ = V . �
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Radical of the bilinear form
Corollary
Assume that (W ,S) is irreducible. The only endomorphisms ofV
commuting with the action of W are the scalars.
Proof. Let z be an endomorphism of V commuting with all σsfor s
∈ S . Fix any s ∈ S . From zσs = σsz acting on αs , wefind zαs =
cαs for some scalar c .
Claim that z = c · 1. Observethat kernel V ′ of z − c · 1 is a W
-invariant subspace andV ′ 6= {0}. Thanks to the above proposition
and αs ∈ V ′, wemust have V ′ = V . �
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Radical of the bilinear form
Corollary
Assume that (W ,S) is irreducible. The only endomorphisms ofV
commuting with the action of W are the scalars.
Proof. Let z be an endomorphism of V commuting with all σsfor s
∈ S . Fix any s ∈ S . From zσs = σsz acting on αs , wefind zαs =
cαs for some scalar c . Claim that z = c · 1.
Observethat kernel V ′ of z − c · 1 is a W -invariant subspace
andV ′ 6= {0}. Thanks to the above proposition and αs ∈ V ′, wemust
have V ′ = V . �
24 / 64
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Radical of the bilinear form
Corollary
Assume that (W ,S) is irreducible. The only endomorphisms ofV
commuting with the action of W are the scalars.
Proof. Let z be an endomorphism of V commuting with all σsfor s
∈ S . Fix any s ∈ S . From zσs = σsz acting on αs , wefind zαs =
cαs for some scalar c . Claim that z = c · 1. Observethat kernel V
′ of z − c · 1 is a W -invariant subspace andV ′ 6= {0}. Thanks to
the above proposition and αs ∈ V ′, wemust have V ′ = V . �
25 / 64
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Radical of the bilinear form
Exercise
If W is infinite, then the center Z (W ) of W is trivial.
Proof.
Let z ∈ Z (W ). By the above corollary, z = c · 1 forsome scalar
c . Since z preserves B, we have c = ±1. But−1 /∈ σ(W ) when W is
infinite. �
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Radical of the bilinear form
Exercise
If W is infinite, then the center Z (W ) of W is trivial.
Proof. Let z ∈ Z (W ). By the above corollary, z = c · 1 forsome
scalar c .
Since z preserves B, we have c = ±1. But−1 /∈ σ(W ) when W is
infinite. �
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Radical of the bilinear form
Exercise
If W is infinite, then the center Z (W ) of W is trivial.
Proof. Let z ∈ Z (W ). By the above corollary, z = c · 1 forsome
scalar c . Since z preserves B, we have c = ±1. But−1 /∈ σ(W ) when
W is infinite. �
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Dual representation
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Dual representation
Let V ∗ be the dual space of V . The dual representation of σis
σ∗ : W → GL(V ∗) defined by
σ∗(ω) := tσ(ω−1)
for ω ∈ W .
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Dual representation
For f ∈ V ∗, we write ω(f ) in place of σ∗(ω)(f ).
For s ∈ S , let
As := {f ∈ V ∗ | f (αs) > 0}.
Let C :=⋂
s∈S As .
Note that A′s := {f ∈ V ∗ | f (αs) < 0} = s(As).
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Dual representation
For f ∈ V ∗, we write ω(f ) in place of σ∗(ω)(f ).For s ∈ S ,
let
As := {f ∈ V ∗ | f (αs) > 0}.
Let C :=⋂
s∈S As .
Note that A′s := {f ∈ V ∗ | f (αs) < 0} = s(As).
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Dual representation
For f ∈ V ∗, we write ω(f ) in place of σ∗(ω)(f ).For s ∈ S ,
let
As := {f ∈ V ∗ | f (αs) > 0}.
Let C :=⋂
s∈S As .
Note that A′s := {f ∈ V ∗ | f (αs) < 0} = s(As).
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Dual representation
The dual version of geometric characterization for the
lengthfunction ` :
Lemma
Let s ∈ S and ω ∈ W . Then `(sω) > `(ω) if and only ifω(C ) ⊂
As , whereas `(sω) < `(ω) if and only if ω(C ) ⊂ A′s .
Proof.
`(sω) > `(ω)⇔ `(ω−1s) > `(ω−1)⇔ ω−1(αs) > 0⇔ 0 < f
(ω−1(αs)) = ω(f )(αs) ∀f ∈ C⇔ ω(C ) ⊂ As .
�
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Dual representation
The dual version of geometric characterization for the
lengthfunction ` :
Lemma
Let s ∈ S and ω ∈ W . Then `(sω) > `(ω) if and only ifω(C ) ⊂
As , whereas `(sω) < `(ω) if and only if ω(C ) ⊂ A′s .
Proof.
`(sω) > `(ω)⇔ `(ω−1s) > `(ω−1)⇔ ω−1(αs) > 0⇔ 0 < f
(ω−1(αs)) = ω(f )(αs) ∀f ∈ C⇔ ω(C ) ⊂ As .
�
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Dual representation
Theorem
(Tits). If ω ∈ W and C ∩ ω(C ) 6= ∅, then ω = 1.
Proof.
Suppose `(ω) > 0. Then there exists some s ∈ S forwhich `(sω)
< `(ω). By the above lemma, we obtain thatω(C ) ⊂ A′s , which is
contradiction to C ∩ ω(C ) 6= ∅. Thusω = 1. �
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Dual representation
Theorem
(Tits). If ω ∈ W and C ∩ ω(C ) 6= ∅, then ω = 1.
Proof. Suppose `(ω) > 0. Then there exists some s ∈ S
forwhich `(sω) < `(ω).
By the above lemma, we obtain thatω(C ) ⊂ A′s , which is
contradiction to C ∩ ω(C ) 6= ∅. Thusω = 1. �
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Dual representation
Theorem
(Tits). If ω ∈ W and C ∩ ω(C ) 6= ∅, then ω = 1.
Proof. Suppose `(ω) > 0. Then there exists some s ∈ S
forwhich `(sω) < `(ω). By the above lemma, we obtain thatω(C ) ⊂
A′s , which is contradiction to C ∩ ω(C ) 6= ∅. Thusω = 1. �
38 / 64
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Dual representation
Let |S | = n. We identify V with Rn, say by fixing the basis{αs
| s ∈ S}. Then V ∗ with the dual basis may be identifiedwith Rn,
and GL(V ∗) with GL(n,R). Also, GL(n,R) can beviewed as a subspace
of Rn
2.
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Dual representation
Consider the standard topological spaces Rn and Rn2. For any
fixed f ∈ V ∗, the orbit map GL(V ∗) → V ∗ sending g 7→ g · fis
continuous (Exercise).
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Dual representation
Choose f ∈ C . Note that the inverse image U of C is an
openneighborhood of 1 ∈ GL(V ∗).
By the above theorem,
σ∗(W ) ∩ U = {1}.
In turn, an element g ∈ σ∗(W ) has an open neighborhood
gUintersecting σ∗(W ) in {g}. This means that σ∗(W ) is adiscrete
subset of GL(V ∗).
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Dual representation
Choose f ∈ C . Note that the inverse image U of C is an
openneighborhood of 1 ∈ GL(V ∗). By the above theorem,
σ∗(W ) ∩ U = {1}.
In turn, an element g ∈ σ∗(W ) has an open neighborhood
gUintersecting σ∗(W ) in {g}. This means that σ∗(W ) is adiscrete
subset of GL(V ∗).
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Dual representation
Choose f ∈ C . Note that the inverse image U of C is an
openneighborhood of 1 ∈ GL(V ∗). By the above theorem,
σ∗(W ) ∩ U = {1}.
In turn, an element g ∈ σ∗(W ) has an open neighborhood
gUintersecting σ∗(W ) in {g}.
This means that σ∗(W ) is adiscrete subset of GL(V ∗).
43 / 64
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Dual representation
Choose f ∈ C . Note that the inverse image U of C is an
openneighborhood of 1 ∈ GL(V ∗). By the above theorem,
σ∗(W ) ∩ U = {1}.
In turn, an element g ∈ σ∗(W ) has an open neighborhood
gUintersecting σ∗(W ) in {g}. This means that σ∗(W ) is adiscrete
subset of GL(V ∗).
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Dual representation
By transport of structure, we obtain
Proposition
σ(W ) is a discrete subgroup of GL(V ). �
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Dual representation
Corollary
If the form B is positive definite, then W is finite.
Proof. Since B is positive definite, there is an
orthonormalbasis of V .
We may identify σ(W ) with a subgroup of theorthogonal group
O(n,R). It is well-known that O(n,R) is acompact subset of GL(n,R).
Since a discrete subset of acompact space is finite, W ∼= σ(W ) is
finite. �
46 / 64
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Dual representation
Corollary
If the form B is positive definite, then W is finite.
Proof. Since B is positive definite, there is an
orthonormalbasis of V . We may identify σ(W ) with a subgroup of
theorthogonal group O(n,R). It is well-known that O(n,R) is
acompact subset of GL(n,R).
Since a discrete subset of acompact space is finite, W ∼= σ(W )
is finite. �
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Dual representation
Corollary
If the form B is positive definite, then W is finite.
Proof. Since B is positive definite, there is an
orthonormalbasis of V . We may identify σ(W ) with a subgroup of
theorthogonal group O(n,R). It is well-known that O(n,R) is
acompact subset of GL(n,R). Since a discrete subset of acompact
space is finite, W ∼= σ(W ) is finite. �
48 / 64
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Finite Coxeter groups
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Root systemsand Coxeter
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NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Finite Coxeter groups
Review some standard facts about group representations.
Lemma
Let ρ : G → GL(E ) be a group representation, with E a
finitedimensional vector space over R.
(i) If G is finite, then there exists a positive
definiteG-invariant bilinear form on E .
(ii) If G is finite, then ρ is completely reducible.
(iii) Suppose the only endomorphisms of E commuting withρ(G )
are the scalars. If β and β′ are nondegeneratesymmetric bilinear
forms on E , both G-invariant, then β′
is a scalar multiple of β.
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Finite Coxeter groups
Proof.
(i) Start with any positive definite symmetric bilinearform β on
E . Then
α(λ, µ) :=∑g∈G
β(g · λ, g · µ)
as desired.
(ii) The orthogonal complement of a G -invariant
subspace(relative to α) is also G -invariant, so complete
reducibilityfollows.
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Root systemsand Coxeter
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NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Finite Coxeter groups
Proof. (i) Start with any positive definite symmetric
bilinearform β on E . Then
α(λ, µ) :=∑g∈G
β(g · λ, g · µ)
as desired.
(ii) The orthogonal complement of a G -invariant
subspace(relative to α) is also G -invariant, so complete
reducibilityfollows.
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Finite Coxeter groups
Proof. (i) Start with any positive definite symmetric
bilinearform β on E . Then
α(λ, µ) :=∑g∈G
β(g · λ, g · µ)
as desired.
(ii) The orthogonal complement of a G -invariant
subspace(relative to α) is also G -invariant, so complete
reducibilityfollows.
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Root systemsand Coxeter
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NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Finite Coxeter groups
(iii) The following diagram is commutative for all g ∈ G .
-
-
-
E E
E ∗ E ∗
E E
? ?
? ?
ρ(g)
ρ∗(g)
ρ(g)
β β
β′−1 β′−1
By assumption, this is just a scalar, so β′ is a scalar multiple
ofβ. �
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Finite Coxeter groups
(iii) The following diagram is commutative for all g ∈ G .-
-
-
E E
E ∗ E ∗
E E
? ?
? ?
ρ(g)
ρ∗(g)
ρ(g)
β β
β′−1 β′−1
By assumption, this is just a scalar, so β′ is a scalar multiple
ofβ. �
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Finite Coxeter groups
(iii) The following diagram is commutative for all g ∈ G .-
-
-
-
-
E E
E ∗ E ∗
E E
? ?
? ?? ?
ρ(g)
ρ∗(g)
ρ(g)
β β
β′−1 β′−1
By assumption, this is just a scalar, so β′ is a scalar multiple
ofβ. �
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Finite Coxeter groups
(iii) The following diagram is commutative for all g ∈ G .-
-
-
-
-
E E
E ∗ E ∗
E E
? ?
? ?? ?
ρ(g)
ρ∗(g)
ρ(g)
β β
β′−1 β′−1
By assumption, this is just a scalar, so β′ is a scalar multiple
ofβ. �
57 / 64
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Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Finite Coxeter groups
Theorem
The following conditions on the irreducible Coxeter system(W ,S)
are equivalent:
(i) W is finite.
(ii) The bilinear form B is positive definite.
Sketch of Proof.
(i) ⇒ (ii) Thanks to part (b) of the lemmaabove, W acts
completely reducibly on V . Then B must benondegenerate, and the
scalars are the only endomorphisms ofV commuting with the action of
W .
58 / 64
-
Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Finite Coxeter groups
Theorem
The following conditions on the irreducible Coxeter system(W ,S)
are equivalent:
(i) W is finite.
(ii) The bilinear form B is positive definite.
Sketch of Proof. (i) ⇒ (ii) Thanks to part (b) of the
lemmaabove, W acts completely reducibly on V .
Then B must benondegenerate, and the scalars are the only
endomorphisms ofV commuting with the action of W .
59 / 64
-
Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Finite Coxeter groups
Theorem
The following conditions on the irreducible Coxeter system(W ,S)
are equivalent:
(i) W is finite.
(ii) The bilinear form B is positive definite.
Sketch of Proof. (i) ⇒ (ii) Thanks to part (b) of the
lemmaabove, W acts completely reducibly on V . Then B must
benondegenerate, and the scalars are the only endomorphisms ofV
commuting with the action of W .
60 / 64
-
Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Finite Coxeter groups
From part (c) of the lemma above, B is the uniquenondegenerate,
W -invariant symmetric bilinear form on V .
But, by part (a) of the lemma, there exists a positive definiteW
-invariant form on V , say B ′. so B ′ = cB for some nonzeroc ∈ R.
Since B(αs , αs) = 1, we have c > 0. Therefore B is alsopositive
definite. �
61 / 64
-
Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Finite Coxeter groups
From part (c) of the lemma above, B is the uniquenondegenerate,
W -invariant symmetric bilinear form on V .But, by part (a) of the
lemma, there exists a positive definiteW -invariant form on V , say
B ′. so B ′ = cB for some nonzeroc ∈ R.
Since B(αs , αs) = 1, we have c > 0. Therefore B is
alsopositive definite. �
62 / 64
-
Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Finite Coxeter groups
From part (c) of the lemma above, B is the uniquenondegenerate,
W -invariant symmetric bilinear form on V .But, by part (a) of the
lemma, there exists a positive definiteW -invariant form on V , say
B ′. so B ′ = cB for some nonzeroc ∈ R. Since B(αs , αs) = 1, we
have c > 0. Therefore B is alsopositive definite. �
63 / 64
-
Root systemsand Coxeter
groups
NCTS
Radical of thebilinear form
Dualrepresentation
Finite Coxetergroups
Thanks for your attention
64 / 64
Radical of the bilinear formDual representationFinite Coxeter
groups