Algorithms for Computations in Local Symmetric Spaces

Abstract

In the last two decades much of the algebraic/combinatorial structure of Lie groups, Lie algebras, and their representations has been implemented in several excellent computer algebra packages, including LiE, GAP4, Chevie, Magma, and Maple. The structure of reductive symmetric spaces or more generally symmetric k-varieties is very similar to that of the underlying Lie group, with a few additional complications. A computer algebra package enabling one to do computations related to these symmetric spaces would be an important tool for researchers in many areas of mathematics, including representation theory, Harish Chandra modules, singularity theory, differential and algebraic geometry, mathematical physics, character sheaves, Lie theory, etc. In this article we lay the groundwork for computing the fine structure of symmetric spaces over the real numbers and other base fields, give a complete set of algorithms for computing the fine structure of symmetric varieties and use this to compute nice bases for the local symmetric varieties.