Finite Root Sums in Symmetrizable Kac-Moody Algebras

Abstract

Let $\mathfrak{g}$ be a symmetrizable Kac-Moody algebra with root system $Φ$. A subset $S\subseteqΦ$ is \emph{closed} if $α,β\in S$ and $α+β\inΦ$ imply $α+β\in S$. For finite and affine Kac-Moody algebras, this closure property is known to extend from pairs to arbitrary finite sums that are roots. We prove that every closed subset of the root system of any symmetrizable Kac-Moody algebra is closed under arbitrary finite sums that are roots. The proof uses real-root strings and simultaneous separation of positive imaginary roots, together with an addition lemma for fundamental imaginary roots. As an application, we extend a necessary condition for wideness of regular subalgebras from finite and affine types to all symmetrizable Kac-Moody algebras: the symmetric closure of the roots associated to a wide regular subalgebra is the entire root system.