Casimir invariants for Hopf algebras (Q2366178)

An element \(v\in V\) of an \(A\)-module over a Hopf algebra \(A\) (over the complex numbers with invertible antipode) is called an invariant, if \(A\) acts on \(m\) via the augmentation \(\varepsilon\). The invariants of the adjoint action of \(A\) on itself are precisely the central elements. The invariants of \(\ell(V,W)\), the space of linear maps between two \(A\)- modules, are the \(A\)-module homomorphisms. A bilinear form \(( , ):V\otimes W\to\mathbb{C}\) is invariant iff \((v,S(a)w) = (av,w)\). The authors call a Hopf algebra \(A\) of trace type if \(S^ 2\) is an inner automorphism of \(A\) induced by some \(u\in A\). Quasi-triangular Hopf algebras are a special case of such. For a Hopf algebra of trace type it is shown that \((a,b) :=\text{tr }\pi(uab)\) is an invariant bilinear form for every finite-dimensional \(A\)-module \(\pi : A\to\text{End}(V)\). If \(M\subset A\) is a finite-dimensional Ad-invariant submodule such that the restriction of the trace form to it is non-degenerate the dual basis element \(\sum a^ i\otimes a_ i\in M\otimes M\) defines a central Casimir element \(\sum a_ i a^ i\). Higher order Casimir invariants are constructed with similar techniques. Their structure is investigated in the case of \(q\)-deformed universal enveloping algebras. In the special case of \(U_ q(\text{gl}(n))\) generalized Gel'fand invariants are computed in a similar way.