Z_2-gradings of Clifford algebras and multivector structures

Ricardo A. Mosna, David Miralles, Jayme Vaz Jr

Published 2002-12-05, updated 2003-03-12Version 2

Let Cl(V,g) be the real Clifford algebra associated to the real vector space V, endowed with a nondegenerate metric g. In this paper, we study the class of Z_2-gradings of Cl(V,g) which are somehow compatible with the multivector structure of the Grassmann algebra over V. A complete characterization for such Z_2-gradings is obtained by classifying all the even subalgebras coming from them. An expression relating such subalgebras to the usual even part of Cl(V,g) is also obtained. Finally, we employ this framework to define spinor spaces, and to parametrize all the possible signature changes on Cl(V,g) by Z_2-gradings of this algebra.