Tensor hierarchy algebras and restricted associativity

Abstract

We study local algebras, which are structures similar to $\mathbb{Z}$-graded algebras concentrated in degrees $-1,0,1$, but without a product defined for pairs of elements at the same degree $\pm1$. To any triple consisting of a Kac-Moody algebra $\mathfrak{g}$ with an invertible and symmetrisable Cartan matrix, a dominant integral weight of $\mathfrak{g}$ and an invariant symmetric bilinear form on $\mathfrak{g}$, we associate a local algebra satisfying a restricted version of associativity. From it, we derive a local Lie superalgebra by a commutator construction. Under certain conditions, we identify generators which we show satisfy the relations of the tensor hierarchy algebra $W$ previously defined from the same data. The result suggests that an underlying structure satisfying such a restricted associativity may be useful in applications of tensor hierarchy algebras to extended geometry.