Compact Lie algebra (original) (raw)

In the mathematical field of Lie theory, there are of a compact Lie algebra. Extrinsically and topologically, a compact Lie algebra is the Lie algebra of a compact Lie group; this definition includes tori. Intrinsically and algebraically, a compact Lie algebra is a real Lie algebra whose Killing form is negative definite; this definition is more restrictive and excludes tori,. A compact Lie algebra can be seen as the smallest real form of a corresponding complex Lie algebra, namely the complexification.