Identities with coefficients in simple compact Lie groups

Abstract

We conjecture that if $G$ is a simple compact Lie group with trivial center, then every $d$-variable non-constant word map with coefficients in $G$ defines a non-constant function on $G^d$. We prove the conjecture for $A_r$, $B_r$, $E_6$, and $G_2$ using a ping-pong argument.