Poisson Algebra - Definition

Definition

A Poisson algebra is a vector space over a field K equipped with two bilinear products, ⋅ and {, }, having the following properties:

  • The product ⋅ forms an associative K-algebra.
  • The product {, }, called the Poisson bracket, forms a Lie algebra, and so it is anti-symmetric, and obeys the Jacobi identity.
  • The Poisson bracket acts as a derivation of the associative product ⋅, so that for any three elements x, y and z in the algebra, one has {x, yz} = {x, y} ⋅ z + y ⋅ {x, z}.

The last property often allows a variety of different formulations of the algebra to be given, as noted in the examples below.

Read more about this topic:  Poisson Algebra

Famous quotes containing the word definition:

    Scientific method is the way to truth, but it affords, even in
    principle, no unique definition of truth. Any so-called pragmatic
    definition of truth is doomed to failure equally.
    Willard Van Orman Quine (b. 1908)

    One definition of man is “an intelligence served by organs.”
    Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)

    No man, not even a doctor, ever gives any other definition of what a nurse should be than this—”devoted and obedient.” This definition would do just as well for a porter. It might even do for a horse. It would not do for a policeman.
    Florence Nightingale (1820–1910)