Bannai-Ito algebras and the universal \(R\)-matrix of \(\mathfrak{osp}(1\!\!\mid\!\!2)\) (Q1987169)

The algebra \(BI(3)\) was first introduced in [\textit{S. Tsujimoto} et al., Adv. Math. 229, No. 4, 2123--2158 (2012; Zbl 1248.33022)] as an encoding of the bispectral properties of the eponym orthogonal polynomials. It was subsequently observed that \(BI(3)\) as the centralizer of the action of \(osp(1|2)\) in the threefold tensor product \(U(osp(1|2))^{\otimes 3}\) where \(U(osp(1|2))\) stands for the universal enveloping algebra of \(osp(1|2)\). The description of the Bannai-Ito algebra in the framework of the universal \(R\)-matrix of \(osp(1|2)\) has the striking benefit of allowing to fully characterize abstractly \(BI(n)\) for arbitrary \(n\) (in the centralizer view) without recourse to any model. In the paper under review, the Bannai-Ito algebra \(BI(n)\) is viewed as the centralizer of the action of \(osp(1|2)\) in the \(n\)-fold tensor product of the universal algebra of this Lie superalgebra. The specific structure of the \(osp(1|2)\) embeddings to which the centralizing elements are attached as Casimir elements is explained. With the generators defined, the structure relations of \(BI(n)\) are derived from those of \(BI(3)\) by repeated action of the coproduct and using properties of the \(R\)-matrix and of the generators of the symmetric group \(S_n\). It is noted that the approach based on the universal \(R\)-matrix has already contributed to the understanding of the Askey-Wilson algebra of rank 1, and the advances presented in the description of the Bannai-Ito algebra for \(n>3\) should show the way towards a complete picture of the higher-rank Askey-Wilson algebras.