Differential Systems Associated with Simple Graded Lie Algebras

Abstract

This is a survey paper on differential systems associated with simple graded Lie algebras. By a differential system (M, D), we mean a pfaffian system D ( or a distribution in Chevalley's sense) on a manifold M, that is, D is a subbundle of the tangent bundle T(M) of M. Our primary subject will be the Lie algebra (sheaf) A(M, D) of all infinitesimal automorphisms of (M, D).