Almost split sequences for symmetric non-semisimple Hopf algebras. (Q2508242)

Let \(H\) be a finite-dimensional Hopf algebra over a field \(k\), \(A\) a projective (left) \(H\)-module. The author's first result is that \(B\otimes A\) is projective for any \(H\)-module \(B\), where the \(H\)-action on \(B\otimes A\) is via the comultiplication of \(H\). As a corollary, \(H\) is semisimple if and only if the trivial \(H\)-module \(k\) is projective. Thus if \(H\) is nonsemisimple, there is an almost split sequence \(0\to A\to E@>f>>k\to 0\), with \(f\) the surjection of \(E\) onto \(k\). If \(X\) is an indecomposable \(H\)-module, then left tensoring with \(X\) yields an exact sequence. The author studies when this latter series is almost split. For this, it is assumed that \(H\), besides being nonsemisimple, is unimodular and that the square of the antipode is an inner automorphism, i.e., \(H\) is symmetric. The main result is that \(I\otimes f\) is either split or right almost split. The distinction between the two possibilities depends on the vanishing or nonvanishing of certain traces involving the element of \(H\) which induces the square of the antipode as an inner automorphism. Finally, an application is given when \(H\) is an indecomposable \(D(H)\)-module, \(D(H)\) its quantum double.