Published online by Cambridge University Press: 07 June 2013
For a Lie algebra $L$ over an algebraically closed field $F$ of nonzero characteristic, every finite dimensional $L$-module can be decomposed into a direct sum of submodules such that all composition factors of a summand have the same character. Using the concept of a character cluster, this result is generalised to fields which are not algebraically closed. Also, it is shown that if the soluble Lie algebra $L$ is in the saturated formation $\mathfrak{F}$ and if $V, W$ are irreducible $L$-modules with the same cluster and the $p$-operation vanishes on the centre of the $p$-envelope used, then $V, W$ are either both $\mathfrak{F}$-central or both $\mathfrak{F}$-eccentric. Clusters are used to generalise the construction of induced modules.