An Adjoint Criterion for Left-Invariant $m$-Modified Conformal Vector Fields on Even-Dimensional Lie Groups

Abstract

For a fixed positive real constant $m$, a real Lie algebra of even dimension $2k$ admits a nonzero left-invariant $m$-modified conformal vector field for some nondegenerate metric if and only if an adjoint operator has a nonzero real eigenvalue. In that case, a solution exists with neutral signature $(k,k)$ and zero conformal factor. As an application, we classify the admissible four-dimensional Lie algebras and metric signatures; the only Lorentzian exceptions among the admissible algebras are $\mathfrak{aff}(\mathbb{C})$ and the diamond algebra. On a pseudo-Riemannian manifold of arbitrary indefinite signature, a nonzero $m$-modified conformal vector field forces lightlike geodesic incompleteness, even when its conformal factor is variable.