Using the standard identification of the Lie algebra
of a Lie group with the tangent space at the identity, we view this as a linear map
dφeG:g→h.
Theorem (Lie algebra homomorphism induced by φ). Let φ:G→H be a Lie group homomorphism. Then the differential at the identity
dφeG:g→h is a homomorphism of Lie algebras, meaning it preserves the Lie bracket
:
It is also functorial: if ψ:H→K is another Lie group homomorphism, then
d(ψ∘φ)eG=dψeH∘dφeG.
Examples
Inclusion of a Lie subgroup. If i:H↪G is the inclusion of a Lie subgroup
, then dieH:h→g is the natural inclusion of tangent spaces at the identity. Concretely, it identifies h as a Lie subalgebra of g.
Determinant on GL(n,R). The determinant is a Lie group homomorphism det:GL(n,R)→R×. Identifying gl(n,R)≅Mn(R), the induced map on Lie algebras is
d(det)I(A)=tr(A),
and more generally d(det)B(V)=det(B)tr(B−1V).
Covering map R→S1. The map φ:R→S1⊂C, φ(t)=eit, is a Lie group homomorphism (additive to multiplicative). Then dφ0:R→T1S1 sends a↦ia (since dtdeitt=0=i). Under the common identification T1S1≅R via a↦ia, this differential is the identity.