Levi-Civita connections on the quantum groups \(SL_ q(N), O_ q(N)\) and \(Sp_ q(N)\) (Q1357449)

First the authors review the classification of bicovariant differential calculi on the quantum groups of type A, B, C and D [\textit{K. Schmüdgen} and \textit{A. Schüler}, Commun. Math. Phys. 167, 635-670 (1995; Zbl 0835.17012)]. For a given first order differential calculus \(\widetilde\Gamma\) over a Hopf algebra \(\mathcal A\) they define a metric as a bilinear map \(g:\widetilde\Gamma\otimes_{\mathcal A}\widetilde\Gamma\to\mathcal A\), and also a symmetric metric with respect to a braiding \(\widetilde\sigma\). Furthermore, they use the notion of a left connection \(\nabla:\mathcal E\to\widetilde\Gamma\otimes_{\mathcal A}\mathcal E\) where \(\mathcal E\) is a left \(\mathcal A\)-module, and they introduce the notions of a bicovariant connection and of a connection on \(\widetilde\Gamma\) invariant with respect to the metric \(g\). Parallel to the classical case, a bicovariant connection \(\nabla\) on \(\widetilde\Gamma\) is called a Levi-Civita connection if it is compatible with \(g\) and has vanishing torsion. According to the main result of the paper, there is precisely one Levi-Civita connection for each of the bicovariant differential calculi on \(SL_q(N)\), \(O_q(N)\) and \(Sp_q(N)\) (\(q\) is not a root of unity and \(q\neq0\)).