Quantum supergroups. I: Foundations (Q2441338)

This first paper, from a series of at least three, introduces a new version of quantum covering and super groups with no isotropic odd simple roots. This turns out to be suitable to study integrable modules, integral forms and bar involutions. The quantum covering involves two parameters, the usual parameter \(q\) and an additional parameter \(\pi\) which satisfies \(\pi^2=1\). At \(\pi=-1\), the construction specialized to a quantum supergroup. The results of the paper address such structural properties of quantum coverings as quasi \(R\)-matrices; Casimir elements; bilinear forms; characters of integrable modules and (higher) Serre relations. Part II, see Represent. Theory 18, 278--309 (2014; Zbl 1359.17024), Part III, see Commun. Math. Phys. 332, No. 1, 415--436 (2014; Zbl 1359.17022) and Part IV, see Math. Z. 278, No. 1--2, 493--528 (2014; Zbl 1364.17015).