Cleft extensions of Hopf algebras (Q2367185)

Let \(R\) be a commutative ring, \(H\) a cocommutative Hopf algebra over \(R\), and \(A\) a commutative \(H\)-module algebra over \(R\). The second Sweedler cohomology group \(H^ 2(H,A)\) classifies cleft algebra extensions \(B\) of \(A\) by \(H\) [\textit{M. Sweedler}, Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 133, 205-239 (1968; Zbl 0164.037)]. This was used by \textit{H.-J. Schneider} [J. Algebra 66, 569-593 (1980; Zbl 0452.20040)] to study cleft extensions of affine algebraic groups, where the algebra \(B\) representing the extension is a Hopf algebra. The author of the paper under review gives a purely algebraic theory of cleft Hopf algebra extensions. Here \(H\) is as above, \(A\) is a commutative Hopf algebra viewed as an \(H\)-module algebra via the counit of \(H\), and both \(H\) and \(A\) are finitely-generated projective \(R\)-modules. His theory is self-dual, where the dual \(B^ D\) of a Hopf algebra \(B\) means \((B^*)^{\text{op}}\), op denoting the reversal of both the multiplication and the comultiplication of \(B^*\). [Reviewer's note: The arrow \(B\to H\) in the opening paragraph should be \(H\to B\)].