On the structure of Kac-Moody algebras

Abstract

Let $A$ be a symmetrisable generalised Cartan matrix, and let $\mathfrak g(A)$ be the corresponding Kac-Moody algebra. In this paper, we address the following fundamental question on the structure of $\mathfrak g(A)$: given two homogeneous elements $x,y \in \mathfrak g(A)$, when is their bracket $[x,y]$ a nonzero element? As an application of our results, we give a description of the solvable and nilpotent graded subalgebras of $\mathfrak g(A)$.