On the derivation algebra of the free Lie algebra and trace maps

Abstract

We calculate the irreducible decomposition of the images of the Johnson homomorphisms of the automorphism group of a free group and a free metabelian group. We determine the abelianization of the derivation algebra of the Chen Lie algebra as a Lie algebra, and show that the abelianizaton is given by the degree one part and the Morita's trace maps. We also consider twisted cohomology groups of the automorphism group of a free nilpotent group. We show that the trace map for the exterior product defines a non-trivial twisted second cohomology class of it.