A generalised Hopf algebra for solitons (Q1607905)

The authors consider a generalization of the idea of a Hopf algebra in which a commutative ring replaces the field in the unit and counit. This is motivated by an example from the inverse scattering formalism for solitons. The authors first give the definitions of almost groups and almost Hopf algebras. If \((G,J)\) is a finite almost group, then the almost group algebra \(kG\) and the function algebra \(k(G)\) are almost Hopf algebras. Then the authors define the matched pairs of almost groups and construct a doublecross product almost group from a matched pair of almost groups. Moreover, the authors construct a bicrossproduct almost Hopf algebra from a matched pair of finite almost groups. Next, the authors discuss the duality between bicrossproduct almost Hopf algebras, and the *-operation on the bicrossproduct almost Hopf algebras. Finally, the authors consider the mutually inverse matched pair of almost groups. In this case, it is shown that the corresponding bicrossproduct almost Hopf algebra is self dual.