Double quasi-Poisson brackets: fusion and new examples (Q2042293)

In this paper, the author investigates double quasi-Poisson structures, working over a field of characteristic zero. For an associative algebra \(A\), such a structure is determined by a double bracket \(\{\{ -,- \}\} : A \otimes A \rightarrow A \otimes A\) satisfying appropriate conditions. Double quasi-Poisson algebras were introduced by \textit{M. Van den Bergh} [Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 360, No. 11, 5711--5769 (2008; Zbl 1157.53046)] as a `non-commutative geometry' version of quasi-Poisson algebras; for instance, a double quasi-Poisson structure on an associative algebra induces a quasi-Poisson structure on all its representation varieties. Van den Bergh also introduced the important technique of fusion; when the algebra \(A\) is a quiver algebra, this corresponds to `fusing' vertices. The main technical result of the paper shows that, if \((A, \{ \{-, -\} \})\) is double quasi-Poisson with associated fusion algebra \(A^f\), there is a canonical double quasi-Poisson structure on \(A^f\) with double bracket \[ \{ \{-, -\} \}^f := \{ \{-, -\} \}_{\mathrm{ind}} + \{ \{-, -\} \}_{\mathrm{fus}}, \] where \(\{ \{-, -\} \}_{\mathrm{ind}}\) is induced from the original bracket and the explicit fusion bracket \( \{ \{-, -\} \}_{\mathrm{fus}}\) is independent of the original one. The author also shows that a quasi-Hamilonian structure on \((A, \{ \{-, -\} \})\) induces such a structure on \((A^f, \{ \{-, -\} \}^f)\). These results extend those of Van den Bergh that were proved for \textit{differential} double brackets, thus allowing them to be applied to a wider class of examples. Fusion applies, for example, to yield a natural double quasi-Poisson structure on the free product \(A_1 \coprod A_2\) of two double quasi-Poisson algebras \((A_i, \{ \{-, -\} \}_i)\), \(i \in \{1, 2\}\); the fusion bracket intervenes to give the necessary interaction between the two factors. Exhibiting examples and classifying double quasi-Poisson structures is difficult. Here the author gives a classification of double quasi-Poisson structures on the polynomial algebra \(k[t]\), as well as determining which admit quasi-Hamiltonian structures. He also gives a partial classification of such structures on the free associative algebra \(k \langle s, t \rangle\). These are fundamental input for understanding further examples. The results of the paper are illustrated by giving a direct algebraic treatment of two important families of examples, namely Van den Bergh's quasi-Hamiltonian structure on algebras derived from quivers and the Massuyeau-Turaev [\textit{G. Massuyeau} and \textit{V. Turaev}, Int. Math. Res. Not. 2014, No. 1, 1--64 (2014; Zbl 1298.53085)] double quasi-Poisson structure on the group algebra of the fundamental group of a surface.