The shuffle algebra and its derivations (Q1261473)

Let \(A\) be an alphabet, let \(\vartheta\) be a commutation relation (i.e. a symmetric subset of \(A\times A\)) and let \(K\) be a commutative ring. The \(K\)-algebra \(K\langle A,\vartheta\rangle\) of partially commutative polynomials is the quotient of the free \(K\)-algebra \(K\langle A\rangle\) by the relations \(ab= ba\) for all \((a,b)\in \vartheta\). One can equip \(K\langle A,\vartheta \rangle\) with the shuffle product \(u\circ v\) defined by \(u\circ v= \sum_{w\in A^*} (u\otimes v \mid \delta(w))w\) where \(\delta\) denotes the coproduct on \(K\langle A, \vartheta\rangle\) that makes all letters primitive. This paper is devoted to the study of the so called partially commutative shuffle algebra, i.e. of \((K \langle A,\vartheta\;\rangle,\circ)\). One of the main results of the paper is a characterization of the derivations of this algebra. The authors also prove that the module of all such derivations is isomorphic to a module of partially commutative formal power series. Finally an extension of a classical theorem of Ree is given by proving that \(K\langle A,\vartheta\rangle\) is the orthogonal direct sum of the free partially commutative algebra and of the module of proper partially commutative shuffles.