Cartan subalgebras for restrictions of $\mathfrak{g}$-modules

Abstract

In this paper, we deal with the $\mathcal{U}(\mathfrak{g})$-action on a $\mathfrak{g}$-module on which a larger algebra $\mathcal{A}$ acts irreducibly. Under a mild condition, we will show that the support of the $\mathcal{Z}(\mathfrak{g})$-action is a union of affine subspaces in the dual of a Cartan subalgebra modulo the Weyl group action. As a consequence, we propose a definition of a Cartan subalgebra for such a $\mathfrak{g}$-module. The support of the $\mathcal{Z}(\mathfrak{g})$-module is an algebraic counterpart of the support of the measure in the irreducible decomposition of a unitary representation. This consideration is motivated by the theory of the discrete decomposability initiated by T. Kobayashi. Defining a Cartan subalgebra for a $\mathfrak{g}$-module is motivated by the study of I. Losev on Poisson $G$-varieties. These are related each other through the associated variety and the nilpotent orbit associated to a $\mathfrak{g}$-module.