Whittaker modules for \(U_q(\mathfrak{sl}_2)\) (Q2488329)

In a 1978 paper [Invent. Math. 48, 101--184 (1978; Zbl 0405.22013)], \textit{B. Kostant} defined Whittaker modules for a finite dimensional complex semisimple Lie algebra \(\mathfrak{g}\), namely cyclic modules for \(U(\mathfrak{g})\) generated by a Whittaker vector. This paper develops a quantum version of Kostant's results in the case where \(\mathfrak{g}=\mathfrak{sl}_2\).