Baxter algebras and shuffle products (Q1971633)

Let \(R\) be a commutative algebra over a commutative ring \(C\). \(R\) is called a Baxter \(C\)-algebra if there is a \(q\) in \(C\) and a \(C\)-module endomorphism \(P\) of \(R\) such that \(P(x)P(y)+qP(xy)=P(xP(y))+P(yP(x))\) for all \(x,y\) in \(R\). Baxter studied such \(P\) when \(q=1\) and Rota and Cartier gave independent constructions of the free Baxter algebra on a set when \(q=1\). When \(q=0\), Baxter algebras are easily described by shuffle products. In the paper under review, the authors describe the free Baxter algebra for any \(q\) in terms of a modified shuffle product that they call a ``mixable'' shuffle product. The Baxter algebras of the authors have an identity element [the one of Rota and Cartier had no identity, but is a subalgebra of the one of the authors when \(q=1\)]. The case \(q=0\) is also related to the work of K. T. Chen on iterated path integrals.