Some special features of Cayley algebras, and $G_2$, in low characteristics

TL;DR

This paper explores unique properties of Cayley algebras and their derivation Lie algebras over fields with low characteristic, revealing explicit embeddings, isomorphism conditions, and structural classifications.

Contribution

It provides new explicit embeddings, classification results, and structural insights into Cayley algebras and their derivation Lie algebras in characteristics 2, 3, and 7.

Findings

Explicit embeddings of twisted Witt algebras into G_2 in characteristic 7

Isomorphism conditions for Cayley algebras via derivation Lie algebras in characteristic 3

Classification of derivation Lie algebras as extrm{psl}_4 in characteristic 2

Abstract

Some features of Cayley algebras (or algebras of octonions) and their Lie algebras of derivations over fields of low characteristic are presented. More specifically, over fields of characteristic $7$, explicit embeddings of any twisted form of the Witt algebra into the simple split Lie algebra of type $G_2$ are given. Over fields of characteristic $3$, even though the Lie algebra of derivations of a Cayley algebra is not simple, it is shown that still two Cayley algebras are isomorphic if and only if their Lie algebras of derivations are isomorphic. Finally, over fields of characteristic $2$, it is shown that the Lie algebra of derivations of any Cayley algebra is always isomorphic to the projective special linear Lie algebra of degree four. The twisted forms of this latter algebra are described too.