Abstract
A sketch of a proof that the Witt and the Virasoro algebra are infinitesimally and formally rigid is given. This is done by elementary and direct calculations showing that the 2nd Lie algebra cohomology of these algebras with values in the adjoint module is vanishing. The relation between deformations and Lie algebra cohomology is explained.
Mathematics Subject Classification (2010). Primary: 17B56; Secondary: 17B68, 17B65, 17B66, 14D15, 81R10, 81T40.
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Schlichenmaier, M. (2013). An Elementary Proof of the Formal Rigidity of the Witt and Virasoro Algebra. In: Kielanowski, P., Ali, S., Odesskii, A., Odzijewicz, A., Schlichenmaier, M., Voronov, T. (eds) Geometric Methods in Physics. Trends in Mathematics. Birkhäuser, Basel. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-0645-9_12
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