Differential operators on the free algebras. (Q438621)

Let \(R\) be an algebra over a field \(k\) and let \(M\) be an \(R\)-bimodule. The differential part \(M_{\text{diff}}\) of \(M\) defined by \textit{V. A. Lunts} and \textit{A. L. Rosenberg} [Sel. Math., New Ser. 3, No. 3, 335-359 (1997; Zbl 0937.16040)] is an \(R\)-subbimodule of \(M\) defined by the filtration \(M_0\subset M_1\subset\cdots\), where \(M_0=Z(M)=\{m\in M\mid rm=mr\text{ for all }r\in R\}\) is the centre of \(M\) and \(M_{i+1}/M_i\) is the centre of \(M/M_i\). The vector space \(\Hom_k(R,R)\) has a natural structure of an \(R\)-bimodule and the algebra \(D_k(R)\) of differential operators of \(R\) is equal to \(\Hom_k(R,R)_{\text{diff}}\). In the paper under review the authors investigate the algebra of differential operators for the free algebra \(R=k\langle x_1,\dots,x_n\rangle\). The algebra \(D_k^0(R)\) of 0-th order differential operators is generated by the left and right multiplications of \(R\), the \(D_k^0(R)\)-module of the first-order differential operators is generated by derivations. Unlike the case of polynomial algebras, the first-order differential operators do not generate the algebra of differential operators \(D_k(R)\). Properties of the new operators are described. The authors also prove that \(D_k(R)\) is a simple algebra. For an Abelian group \(\Gamma\), a bicharacter \(\beta\colon\Gamma\times\Gamma\to k^*\), and a \(\Gamma\)-graded algebra \(R\) one may define \(\beta\)-differential operators. In the paper, the authors establish \(\beta\)- and quantum analogues of their results for the ordinary differential operators of the free associative algebra.