The matched product of set-theoretical solutions of the Yang-Baxter equation (Q2332125)

The Yang-Baxter equation plays an important role in mathematical physics. \textit{V. G. Drinfeld} introduced in [Lect. Notes Math. 1510, 1--8 (1992; Zbl 0765.17014)] the idea of a set-theoretic solution to the Yang-Baxter equation. Given a set \(X\), such a solution is a map \(r:X\times X \to X \times X\) for which \[ (r \times id_{X} ) (id_{X} \times r) (r \times id_{X} ) = (id_{X}\times r) (r \times id_{X} ) (id_{X} \times r) . \] Such a solution \(r\) is said to be involutive if \(r^{2} = id_{X \times X}\), and idempotent if \(r^{2} = r\). Several algebraic structures have been introduced, which are useful in studying solutions to the Yang-Baxter equation, such as braces [\textit{W. Rump}, J. Algebra 307, No. 1, 153--170 (2007; Zbl 1115.16022)], skew braces [\textit{L. Guarnieri} and \textit{L. Vendramin}, Math. Comput. 86, No. 307, 2519--2534 (2017; Zbl 1371.16037)], and semi-braces [\textit{F. Catino} et al., J. Algebra 483, 163--187 (2017; Zbl 1385.16035)]. In the paper under review the authors introduce the concept of a matched product of solutions to the Yang-Baxter equation, and a corresponding concept of a matched product of semi-braces. This framework allows them to construct new involutive and idempotent solutions from known ones.