Rational lattice

Even lattice

A rational lattice 𝐿 is said to be even iff 𝛼,𝛼 2 for all 𝛼 𝐿. #m/def/geo It immediately follows from polarization that 𝐿 is integral.

Properties

Associated elementary 2-group

An even lattice 𝐿 of rank 𝑛 has an associated elementary abelian 2-group ˇ𝐿 =𝐿/2𝐿 of dimension 𝑛, where we write ˇ𝛼 =𝛼 +2𝐿. We have a canonical alternating -bilinear map

𝑐0:𝐿×𝐿2(𝛼,𝛽)𝛼,𝛽+2

which induces the alternating 2-bilinear form

𝑐1:ˇ𝐿ס𝐿2(ˇ𝛼,ˇ𝛽)𝛼,𝛽+2

Similarly we have a canonical map

𝑞0:𝐿2𝛼12𝛼,𝛼+2

which induces the quadratic form

𝑞1:ˇ𝐿2ˇ𝛼12𝛼,𝛼+2

so that 𝑐1 is the polar form of 𝑞1. Now 𝑞1 or equivalently 𝑐1 is nondegenerate iff the Gram matrix has odd determinant, in particular if 𝐿 is a unimodular lattice.


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