Lie Admissible Triple Algebras: The Connection Algebra of Symmetric Spaces

Abstract

Associated with a symmetric space, there is a canonical connection with zero torsion and parallel curvature. This connection acts as a binary operator on the vector space of smooth sections of the tangent bundle, and it is linear with respect to the real numbers. Thus, the smooth section of the tangent bundle together with the connection forms an algebra we call the connection algebra. The constraints of zero torsion and constant curvature make the connection algebra into a Lie admissible triple algebra. This is a type of algebra that generalises pre-Lie algebras, and it can be embedded into a post-Lie algebra in a canonical way that generalises the canonical embedding of Lie triple systems into Lie algebras. The free Lie admissible triple algebra can be described by incorporating triple-brackets into the leaves of rooted (non-planar) trees.