N-Extended Lorentzian Kac-Moody algebras

Abstract

We investigate a class of Kac-Moody algebras previously not considered. We refer to them as n-extended Lorentzian Kac-Moody algebras defined by their Dynkin diagrams through the connection of an $A_n$ Dynkin diagram to the node corresponding to the affine root. The cases $n=1$ and $n=2$ correspond to the well studied over and very extended Kac-Moody algebras, respectively, of which the particular examples of $E_{10}$ and $E_{11}$ play a prominent role in string and M-theory. We construct closed generic expressions for their associated roots, fundamental weights and Weyl vectors. We use these quantities to calculate specific constants from which the nodes can be determined that when deleted decompose the n-extended Lorentzian Kac-Moody algebras into simple Lie algebras and Lorentzian Kac-Moody algebra. The signature of these constants also serves to establish whether the algebras possess $SO(1,2)$ and/or $SO(3)$-principal subalgebras.