Solutions

This fixes #40780
Add an explicit check in _element_constructor_ to handle vectors directly using from_vector() before attempting to use self._assoc(x):

def _element_constructor_(self, x):
    if isinstance(x, list) and len(x) == 2:
        return self(x[0])._bracket_(self(x[1]))
    
    # Check if x is a vector from the module to avoid infinite recursion
    try:
        if hasattr(x, 'parent') and x.parent() == self.module():
            return self.from_vector(x)
    except (AttributeError, NotImplementedError):
        pass
    
    return self.element_class(self, self._assoc(x))

📝 Checklist

• The title is concise and informative.
• The description explains in detail what this PR is about.
• I have linked a relevant issue or discussion.
• I have created tests covering the changes.
• I have updated the documentation and checked the documentation preview.

The Infinite Loop Cycle

The infinite recursion occurs in the following cycle:

1. gl(vector) 
   ↓
2. LieAlgebraFromAssociative._element_constructor_(vector)
   ↓
3. self._assoc(vector)  # _assoc is a MatrixSpace
   ↓
4. MatrixSpace.__call__(vector)
   ↓
5. Uses coercion: VectorSpace → LieAlgebra → MatrixSpace
   ↓
6. Back to step 1: gl(vector)

Detailed Breakdown

1. Morphism Construction Context:

   • When creating a morphism via gl.morphism({e:e for e in gl.gens()}), the morphism code (in morphism.py) computes brackets to extend the spanning set
   • It calls domain.bracket(spanning_set[i], spanning_set[j]) where spanning_set contains vectors

2. Bracket Computation:

   • The bracket method in lie_algebras.py line 290:

     return self(lhs)._bracket_(self(rhs))

   • This attempts to convert vectors (lhs, rhs) to Lie algebra elements by calling self(vector)

3. Element Constructor Issue:

   • LieAlgebraFromAssociative._element_constructor_ (line 1246) was:

     return self.element_class(self, self._assoc(x))

   • When x is a vector, it calls self._assoc(vector)

4. Coercion Map Problem:

   • self._assoc is a MatrixSpace
   • There exists a composite coercion map:

     VectorSpace → LieAlgebra → MatrixSpace
     

   • This map was registered when LiftMorphismToAssociative was set up as a coercion

5. The Loop Closes:

   • MatrixSpace(vector) uses the coercion map
   • First step: VectorSpace → LieAlgebra calls gl(vector)
   • This triggers _element_constructor_ again with the same vector
   • The cycle repeats infinitely

⌛ Dependencies