Normalizers of maximal tori and real forms of Lie groups

Abstract

Given a complex connected reductive Lie group $G$ with a maximal torus $H\subset G$, Tits defined an extension $W_G^T$ of the corresponding Weyl group $W_G$. The extended group is supplied with an embedding into the normalizer $N_G(H)$, such that $W_G^T$ together with $H$ generate $N_G(H)$. In this paper we propose an interpretation of the Tits classical construction in terms of the maximal split real form $G(\mathbb{R})\subset G$, which leads to the simple topological description of $W^T_G$. We also consider a variation of the Tits construction associated with compact real form $U$ of $G$. In this case we define an extension $W_G^U$ of the Weyl group $W_G$, naturally embedded into the group extension $\widetilde{U}:=U\rtimes\Gamma$ of the compact real form $U$ by the Galois group $\Gamma={\rm Gal}(\mathbb{C}/\mathbb{R})$. Generators of $W^U_G$ are squared to identity as in the Weyl group $W_G$. However, the non-trivial action of $\Gamma$ by outer automorphisms requires $W^U_G$ to be a non-trivial extension of $W_G$. This gives a specific presentation of the maximal torus normalizer of the group extension $\widetilde{U}$. Finally, we describe explicitly the adjoint action of $W_G^T$ and $W^U_G$ on the Lie algebra of $G$.