Nilpotent Lie algebras of vector fields in three variables

Abstract

We give a complete constructive description of all finite dimensional nilpotent Lie algebras of smooth vector fields in three variables, including intransitive algebras. The description is organized by the rank and dimension of the center, which serves as the key invariant. Since every nonabelian solvable algebra lives in the normalizer of a nilpotent algebra, our normal forms provide the essential building blocks for the study of all solvable algebras of vector fields in three variables.