Left-symmetric algebras, or pre-Lie algebras in geometry and physics

In this survey article we discuss the origin, theory and applications of left-symmetric algebras (LSAs in short) in geometry in physics. Recently Connes, Kreimer and Kontsevich have introduced LSAs in mathematical physics (QFT and renormalization theory), where the name pre-Lie algebras is used quite often. Already Cayley wrote about such algebras more than hundred years ago. Indeed, LSAs arise in many different areas of mathematics and physics. We attempt to give a survey of the fields where LSAs play an important role. Furthermore we study the algebraic theory of LSAs such as structure theory, radical theory, cohomology theory and the classification of simple LSAs. We also discuss applications to faithful Lie algebra representations.Comment: 28 pages, 3 figure

Ordering constraints on trees

We survey recent results about ordering constraints on trees and discuss their applications. Our main interest lies in the family of recursive path orderings which enjoy the properties of being total, well-founded and compatible with the tree constructors. The paper includes some new results, in particular the undecidability of the theory of lexicographic path orderings in case of a non-unary signature