Root vector localization and minimal nilpotent finite $W$-algebras

Abstract

Let \(\mathfrak{g}\) be any finite-dimensional complex simple Lie algebra, let $h^\vee$ be its dual Coxeter number, and let \(e\) be its highest-root vector which is a minimal nilpotent element. In this paper, using a result of Bavula on invariants of commuting locally nilpotent derivations, we show that \[ U(\mathfrak{g})_f \cong \mathcal{D}^+_{h^\vee-2}\otimes \mathcal{D}_1\otimes U(\mathfrak{g},e), \] where the first factor is a polynomial Weyl algebra of rank $h^\vee-2$, the second factor is a Laurent Weyl algebra of rank one, and $U(\mathfrak{g},e)$ is the finite $W$-algebra associated with $\mathfrak{g}$ and $e$. As an application, we prove that if $M$ is a simple infinite-dimensional $\mathfrak{g}$-module with the minimal GK dimension on which $f-1$ acts locally nilpotently, then $M\cong P\otimes V$ for some simple $\mathcal{D}^+_{h^\vee-2}\otimes \mathcal{D}_1$-module $P$ and some finite-dimensional simple $U(\mathfrak{g},e)$-module $V$. We also give a new proof of the Skryabine quivalence and Petukhov's birational decomposition of the quotient division ring of $U(\mathfrak{g})$.