Unitarity of highest-weight modules for quantum groups (Q1364197)

The problem of classifying the unitary highest weight modules for a semisimple Lie group was solved by Enright, Howe, and Wallach (see also work by Joseph and Jakobsen for an algebraic approach). In this paper, the author determines the unitary highest weight modules for the quantum enveloping algebra in the case when the quantum parameter \(q\) is either real or imaginary. In the case when \(q\) is positive and real, the answer is the same as in the classical case. In the case where \(q\) is imaginary, a complete answer is given, and can be reduced to the case of finite dimensional representations. Arguments are based on the quantum Shapovalov determinant due to DeConcini and Kac and comparisons with the classical case.