Down-up algebras (Q1272466)

A \textit{down-up algebra} \(A(\alpha, \beta, \gamma)\) is the associative unital algebra (say over \(\mathbf C\)) presented by generators \(d\) and \(u\) and defining relations \(d^2u=\alpha dud+\beta ud^2+\gamma d\), \(du^2=\alpha udu+\beta u^2d+\gamma u\); where \(\alpha,\beta,\gamma\) are arbitrary complex numbers. The authors motivation for this definition (and terminology) comes from the down and up operators on \((q,r)\)-differential posets [see \textit{R. P. Stanley}, J. Am. Math. Soc. 4, 919-961 (1988; Zbl 0658.05006), \textit{S. V. Fomin}, Zap. Nauchn. Semin. LOMI Steklov 155, 156-175 (1986; Zbl 0698.05003)]. An extensive list of examples of (homomorphic images of) down-up algebras is given; including \(q\)-Weyl algebras, quantum planes, universal enveloping algebras of certain 3-dimensional Lie (super-)algebras, Witten's deformations of \(U(sl_2)\) [\textit{E. Witten}, Commun. Math. Phys. 137, 29-66 (1991; Zbl 0717.53074)], conformal \(sl_2\)-algebras [\textit{L. Le Bruyn}, Commun. Algebra 23, 1325-1362 (1995; Zbl 0824.17012)] and certain subalgebras of quantum enveloping algebras. In the paper under review, the structure and representation theory of down-up algebras is studied. A PBW theorem is proved. ``Highest weight'' and ``lowest weight'' modules are explicitly constructed; the simple ones are determined and the exact expressions for all the weights are calculated. Two categories \(\mathcal O\) and \(\mathcal O'\), in the spirit of the Bernstein-Gelfand-Gelfand categories for representations of simple Lie algebras, are investigated.