Mutations vs. Seiberg duality. (Q1014575)

A potential on a quiver is a linear combination of directed cycles. A pair consisting of a quiver and a potential (quiver with potential) defines an algebra: the path algebra of the quiver modulo the relations obtained by taking cyclic derivatives of the potential with respect to each of the arrows of the quiver. \textit{H. Derksen}, \textit{J. Weyman} and \textit{A. Zelevinsky} [Sel. Math., New Ser. 14, No. 1, 59-119 (2008; Zbl 1204.16008)] have shown how to mutate a quiver with potential to obtain a new such pair; the effect on the representation theory of the corresponding algebra is also discussed. In quiver gauge theories, Seiberg duality can be described as a mutation of a quiver with potential [see \textit{S. Mukhopadhyay} and \textit{K. Ray}, ``Seiberg duality as derived equivalence for some quiver gauge theories'', arXiv: hep-th/0309191v2 (2003)]. In the article under review, the two notions of mutation are compared. In particular, it is shown that for a certain class of potentials, the two notions of mutation coincide, giving derived equivalences.