\(\mathrm{SU}(3)\)-skein algebras and webs on surfaces (Q2070920)

The \(\mathrm{SU} (n)\)-skein module of a 3-manifolds \(M\) was introduced in [\textit{A. S. Sikora}, Algebr. Geom. Topol. 5, 865--897 (2005; Zbl 1087.57008)]. It is built on \(n\)-valent graphs, called \(n\)-webs, considered up to skein relations encapsulating relations appearing in the \(U_q (\mathit{sl}(n))\)-representation theory. The module is a \(q\)-deformation of the \(\mathrm{SL}(n)\)-character variety of \(\pi_1(M)\). In this article the authors study \(\mathrm{SU} (3)\)-skein algebras of a cylinder over a surface, \(F \times I\). For \(n = 2\) this is the Kauffman bracket skein algebra, which is one of the central objects of quantum topology, and has been a subject of a very active research over the recent years. In this article, the authors made the first step towards a development of an analogous theory for \(\mathrm{SU} (3)\)-skein algebras.