Lie groups and Lie algebras |
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In the mathematical field of Lie theory, there are two definitions of a compact Lie algebra. Extrinsically and topologically, a compact Lie algebra is the Lie algebra of a compact Lie group;[1] this definition includes tori. Intrinsically and algebraically, a compact Lie algebra is a real Lie algebra whose Killing form is negative definite; this definition is more restrictive and excludes tori.[2] A compact Lie algebra can be seen as the smallest real form of a corresponding complex Lie algebra, namely the complexification.