composition algebras

Noun

composition algebra (plural composition algebras)

1. A non-associative (not necessarily associative) algebra, A, over some field, together with a nondegenerate quadratic form, N, such that N(xy) = N(x)N(y) for all x, y ∈ A.
   • More precisely, Xⁿ⊂ℙᴺ is a Severi variety if and only if ℙᴺ=ℙ(𝔍), where 𝔍 is the Jordan algebra of Hermitian (3 × 3)-matrices over a composition algebra 𝔄, and X corresponds to the cone of Hermitian matrices of rank <1 (in that case SX corresponds to the cone of Hermitian matrices with vanishing...1993, F. L. Zak (translator and original author), Simeon Ivanov (editor), Tangents and Secants of Algebraic Varieties, American Mathematical Society, page 11