On central extensions of simple differential algebraic groups

Abstract

We consider central extensions $Z\hookrightarrow E\twoheadrightarrow G$ in the category of linear differential algebraic groups. We show that if $G$ is simple non-commutative and $Z$ is unipotent with the differential type smaller than that of $G$, then such an extension splits. We also give a construction of central extensions illustrating that the condition on differential types is important for splitting. Our results imply that non-commutative almost simple linear differential algebraic groups, introduced by Cassidy and Singer, are simple.