Almost inner derivations of 2-step nilpotent Lie algebras of genus 2

Abstract

We study almost inner derivations of $2$-step nilpotent Lie algebras of genus $2$, i.e., having a $2$-dimensional commutator ideal, using matrix pencils. In particular we determine all almost inner derivations of such algebras in terms of minimal indices and elementary divisors over an arbitrary algebraically closed field of characteristic not $2$ and over the real numbers.