\(d^N=0\): Generalized homology (Q1273631)

An \(N\)-differential module \(M\) is a module equipped with a nilpotent endomorphism \(d\) such that \(d^N=0\), \(N\geq 2\). When \(M\) is graded and \(d\) is of degree \(\pm 1\), \(M\) is called an \(N\)-complex of modules. The homology of \(M\) is, by definition, the family of modules \(\text{Ker} (d^n)/ \text{Im}(d^{N-n})\), \(n=1,\dots,N-1\). These modules are not independent, but are related by some exact sequences. The homological algebra of \(N\)-differential modules and \(N\)-complexes is studied in the first part of the article [see also \textit{C. Kassel} and \textit{M. Wambst}, ``Algèbre homologique des \(N\)-complexes et homologie de Hochschild aux racines de l'unité'', Publ. Res. Inst. Math. Sci. 34, No. 2, 91-114 (1998)]. Then, given a pre-(co)simplicial module, and a suitable element \(q\) of the ground ring, the author constructs a family of \(N\)-differentials and compares the corresponding (co)homologies to the ordinary (co)homology of the pre-(co)simplicial module. This generalizes previous results by the author and by Kassel and Wambst (loc. cit.) on Hochschild (co)homology at roots of unity. The last part of the article is concerned with differential algebra structures in this setting. Various examples of graded \(q\)-differential algebras are given, and the construction of the universal graded differential envelope of an associative algebra is generalized.