Local and $2$-local automorphisms of simple generalized Witt algebras

Abstract

In this paper, we prove that every invertible $2$-local or local automorphism of a simple generalized Witt algebra over any field of characteristic $0$ is an automorphism. In particular, every $2$-local or local automorphism of Witt algebras $W_n$ is an automorphism for all $n\in \mathbb{N}$. But some simple generalized Witt algebras indeed have $2$-local (and local) automorphisms that are not automorphisms.