Crystal algebra (Q1924267)

The author defines the crystal algebra, an algebra which has a base of elements of crystal bases of a quantum group. The multiplication is defined by the tensor product rule of crystal bases. A crystal base is a base for an integrable highest-weight representation of quantum groups when the parameter \(q\) is zero. The most surprising property of crystal bases is that the tensor product of crystal bases of two modules gives a corresponding crystal base of the module of the tensor product of these two modules. First the case of \(U_q (sl(2))\) is studied and a simple realization of this algebra is given with generators and relations. Another striking feature of crystal bases is that the tensor product rule of the crystal base of each \(U_q (sl(2))\) corresponding to each node of the Dynkin diagram of \(U_q (g)\) becomes completely independent of each other. With this, the author shows that any crystal algebra is homomorphic to certain tensor algebras of the crystal algebra for \(U_q (sl(2))\). Then a universal \(n\)-colored crystal algebra is defined. Finally, the author presents the crystal algebra of \(U_q (sl(n))\) with generators and relations.