On the Lie structure of locally matrix algebras

Abstract

Let $A$ be a unital locally matrix algebra over a field $\mathbb{F}$ of characteristic different from $2.$ We find a necessary and sufficient condition for the Lie algebra $A\diagup\mathbb{F}\cdot 1$ to be simple and for the Lie algebra of derivations $\text{Der}(A)$ to be topologically simple. The condition depends on the Steinitz number of $A$ only.