On the representation theory of partition (easy) quantum groups (Q334480)

The present paper concerns the study of the representation theory of partition/easy quantum groups, i.e., those quantum groups for which the intertwiner spaces between tensor powers of the fundamental representation are described by categories of partitions [\textit{T. Banica} and \textit{R. Speicher}, Adv. Math. 222, No. 4, 1461--1501 (2009; Zbl 1247.46064)]. Examples of such quantum groups are classical permutation groups and orthogonal groups, together with their free counterparts. Although the intertwiner spaces admit in this case an explicit description, and thus in principle the whole representation theory is known, the challenge lies in finding the concrete form of equivalence classes of irreducibles and their fusion rules. The authors approach this problem via the combinatorial investigation of categories of partitions. A class of so-called projective partitions is identified and a suitable decomposition of general partitions established. Projective partitions are then used to determine irreducible representations and to obtain certain results on the respective fusion rules. In general, it turns out to be very difficult to decide which of the irreducibles obtained in this way are equivalent, but in the case of free quantum groups (i.e., those associated with non-crossing partitions), the authors produce a complete classification, including a description of fusion rules. This allows them to reproduce several earlier results (in particular, concerning the free permutation, orthogonal and hyperoctahedral quantum groups) as special cases of their general theorem. Finally, possible extensions to unitary partition quantum groups, corresponding to bi-coloured partitions, are indicated.