Towers of semi-simple algebras (Q1180628)

For any pair \(A\subseteq B\) of finite dimensional semisimple algebras over a field \(k\) V. F. R. Jones introduced a real-valued invariant which is called now Jones index and denoted by \([B:A]\) [see \textit{F. M. Goodman}, \textit{P. de la Harpe}, \textit{V. F. R. Jones}; ``Coxeter graphs and towers of semisimple algebras'' (Springer 1989; Zbl 0698.46050)]. The paper under review provides an algebraic approach to the theory of pairs of semisimple algebras, the Jones fundamental construction of a tower and its index. More precisely, the authors give first a one-to-one correspondence between the pairs \(A\subseteq B\) of finite dimensional semisimple \(k\)-algebras and the pairs \((_ FM_ G,X_ F)\) of finite dimensional \(F\)-\(G\) bimodules and finite dimensional \(F\)-vector spaces over basic semisimple \(k\)-algebras \(F\) and \(G\). Using this, the fundamental construction of Jones is obtained in terms of a bimodule and its vector space. Then the authors prove a remarkable result (Theorem 3): Let \(A\subseteq B\) be a (connected) pair of finite dimensional semisimple algebras over \(k\) and \(c\) the Coxeter transformation defined by its valued graph. If the graph is Dynkin, then the Jones index of \(A\subseteq B\) is \(2(r+1)\), where \(r\) is the largest value of the real parts of the eigenvalues of \(c\). Otherwise, \([B:A]=2+r+r^{-1}\), where \(r\) is the largest real eigenvalue of \(c\). Thus the entire theory on towers of semisimple algebras is equivalent to the theory of finite dimensional hereditary algebras whose square radical is zero. Finally, the authors clarify the link between small values of \([B:A]\) and the representation type of the algebra \(A B\choose 0 B\). This also answers a question of \textit{V. F. R. Jones} [proposed in Contemp. Math. 43, 181-190 (1985; Zbl 0607.46034)].