Homology of left non-degenerate set-theoretic solutions to the Yang-Baxter equation (Q329527)

This paper deals with left non-degenerate set-theoretic solutions to the Yang-Baxter equation, with special emphasis on two special structures which lead to such solutions: racks and cycle sets. Both structures are based on a binary operation with bijective left or right translations, satisfying a fundamental equation. Without non-degeneracy of translations, these structures are also called shelves and cycloids, respectively. The equation for a shelf is self-distributivity, which occurs, e.~g., in knot theory and the theory of large cardinals. The cycloid equation \((x\cdot y)\cdot (x\cdot z)=(y\cdot x)\cdot (y\cdot z)\) can be found in algebraic logic and lattice-ordered group theory. A homological approach to racks was initiated by \textit{R. Fenn} et al. [NATO ASI Ser., Ser. C, Math. Phys. Sci. 399, 33--55 (1993; Zbl 0828.57005)], and taken up by several authors, including \textit{J. S. Carter} et al. [Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 355, No. 10, 3947--3989 (2003; Zbl 1028.57003)]. This led to advances in knot theory and other braided structures. The authors extend these ideas, which puts existing (co)homology theories into a broader perspective. To any left non-degenerate set-theoretic solution of the YBE, they associate a shelf which captures the essential part with respect to knot-theory. On the other hand, they apply their theory to cycle sets, which leads to new insights into extensions and provides new constructions of cycle sets. A conjectured estimation of \textit{T. Gateva-Ivanova} and \textit{P. Cameron} [Commun. Math. Phys. 309, No. 3, 583--621 (2012; Zbl 1247.81211)] is disproved.