C-sections of Lie algebras

Abstract

Let $M$ be a maximal subalgebra of a Lie algebra $L$ and $A/B$ a chief factor of $L$ such that $B \subseteq M$ and $A \not \subseteq M$. We call the factor algebra $M \cap A/B$ a $c$-section of $M$. All such $c$-sections are isomorphic, and this concept is related those of $c$-ideals and ideal index previously introduced by the author. Properties of $c$-sections are studied and some new characterizations of solvable Lie algebras are obtained.