On a universal solution to the reflection equation (Q1402281)

Given a quasi-triangular Hopf algebra \(H\) there is a twist from the Hopf algebra \(H^{op}\otimes H\) to the twisted tensor square \(H^{\widetilde\otimes\,2}\) introduced in [\textit{N. Yu. Reshetikhin} and \textit{M. A. Semenov-Tian-Shansky}, J. Geom. Phys. 5, 533--550 (1988; Zbl 0711.17008)]. It contains \(H\) as Hopf subalgebra through \(\Delta : H\to H^{\widetilde\otimes\,2}\). This twist induces a transformation of \(H\)-bimodules to \(H^{\widetilde\otimes\,2}\)-modules. In particular there is an \(H^{\widetilde\otimes\,2}\)-module algebra analog \(\widetilde H^*\) of the dual Hopf algebra \(H^*\) which has a natural \(H\)-bimodule structure. \(\widetilde H^*\) is shown to be isomorphic to the Hopf algebra in the braided monoidal category of \(H\)-modules. The authors study this structure from the twist point of view and in particular extend the construction to all tensor powers of \(H\) yielding \(H^{\widetilde\otimes\,n}\) for \(n = 0,1,\ldots\). As a linear space \(\widetilde H^*\) is dual to \(H\). It is shown that the canonical element \(K \in H\otimes \widetilde H^*\) is a solution of the reflection equation. \(K\) is called the universal solution to the reflection equation or universal reflection equation matrix. It provides a solution for the matrix reflection equation in each representation of \(H\). A fusion procedure for matrix solutions to the reflection equation in two representations provides a reflection equation matrix in the tensor product representation. The authors use the universal properties of the reflection equation matrix \(K\) to formulate a fusion procedure for matrix solutions of the reflection equation. In addition this suggests an algorithm for tensoring reflection equation matrices.