No label defined (Q4396196)

These notes give a very readable introduction to the quantum shuffle algebra and its relation to the construction of quantized universal enveloping algebras. The author begins by recalling the definition of the shuffle algebra \(S(I)\) over a finite alphabet \(I\). This algebra was introduced by \textit{R. Ree} [in Ann. Math., II. Ser. 68, 210-220 (1958; Zbl 0083.25401)] where it also was shown that \(S(I)\) is a commutative and associative algebra with a unit element which is graded by the free Abelian monoid generated by \(I\). The quantum shuffle algebra \(S(I,\cdot)\) has the same graded vector space structure as \(S(I)\) but the multiplication is twisted via a symmetric integer-valued bilinear form \(\cdot\) (a so-called datum) on the free Abelian group generatedy by \(I\). Therefore in analogy with \(S(I)\) one can introduce certain skew-derivations on \(S(I,\cdot)\) which are used to prove that \(S(I,\cdot)\) is associative. Since there is a canonical pairing between \(S(I,\cdot)\) and the free associative algebra in \(| I|\) (non-commuting) variables, the subalgebra \(L(I,\cdot)\) of \(S(I,\cdot)\) generated by the symbols corresponding to the elements in \(I\) has a non-degenerate symmetric bilinear form such that skew-derivations and right multiplication (of the generators) are adjoint. The author remarks that \(L(I,\cdot)\) is isomorphic to the algebra \(\mathbf f\) defined by \textit{G. Lusztig} [in Introduction to quantum groups. Progr. Math. 110. Boston, MA: Birkhäuser (1993; Zbl 0788.17010)]. Moreover, he shows that the so-called quantum Serre relations hold for \(L(I,\cdot)\) if \((I,\cdot)\) is a so-called Cartan datum in the sense of Lusztig's book. The notes conclude by outlining a proof that \(L(I,\cdot)\) has a specialization isomorphic to the universal enveloping algebra of the nilpotent part of a Kac-Moody Lie algebra with corresponding Cartan datum \((I,\cdot)\). The reader is also referred to a treatment of the quantum shuffle algebra and its application to the construction of quantized universal enveloping algebras by \textit{M. Rosso} [Invent. Math. 133, No. 2, 399-416 (1998; Zbl 0912.17005)].