Invariants of a semi-direct sum of Lie algebras

Abstract

We show that any semi-direct sum $L$ of Lie algebras with Levi factor $S$ must be perfect if the representation associated with it does not possess a copy of the trivial representation. As a consequence, all invariant functions of $L$ must be Casimir operators. When $S= \frak{sl}(2,\mathbb{K}),$ the number of invariants is given for all possible dimensions of $L$. Replacing the traditional method of solving the system of determining PDEs by the equivalent problem of solving a system of total differential equations, the invariants are found for all dimensions of the radical up to five. An analysis of the results obtained is made, and this lead to a theorem on invariants of Lie algebras depending only on the elements of certain subalgebras.