Two characterizations of finite quasi-Hopf algebras. (Q1427408)

Let \(k\) be a field. It is known [\textit{K.-H. Ulbrich}, Isr. J. Math. 72, No. 1/2, 252-256 (1990; Zbl 0727.16029)] that a \(k\)-bialgebra \(H\) possesses an antipode (and is thus a Hopf algebra) if and only if the category of finite dimensional right \(H\)-comodules is rigid. Thus, if \(H\) is a finite dimensional bialgebra, then \(H\) is a Hopf algebra if and only if the category of finite dimensional left \(H\)-modules \({\mathcal M}_f^H\) is rigid. The idea here is to try to determine if there is a similar criterion for quasibialgebras. Unfortunately, it is not possible to expect the analogous result as it is known that there are coquasibialgebras which are not coquasi-Hopf algebras such that the category of finite dimensional comodules is rigid. However, one result here shows that if the quasibialgebra \(H\) is also finite dimensional then we get the analogue of the result mentioned above, i.e. that \(H\) is a quasi-Hopf algebra if and only if \({\mathcal M}_f^H\) is rigid. In addition, it is well-known that a bialgebra \(H\) is a Hopf algebra if and only if the natural functor \({\mathcal M}_k\to{\mathcal M}_H^H\) is a category equivalence. One could then attempt to develop an analogue with quasibialgebras once again. Here the author constructs a certain functor \({\mathcal M}^H\to{_H^H{\mathcal M}^H}\) which is a category equivalence if and only if \({\mathcal M}_f^H\) is rigid. This demonstrates the existence of coquasibialgebras which are not coquasi-Hopf algebras for which this functor is a category equivalence. However, if once again \(H\) is finite dimensional, the structure theorem above is equivalent to the existence of a quasiantipode (making \(H\) a quasi-Hopf algebra). Finally, the author provides a new proof of the fact that the quasiantipode of a finite dimensional quasi-Hopf algebra is a bijection. The value of this proof comes in its brevity as the structure theorem for Hopf modules above was used.