Finite-dimensional pointed Hopf algebras over finite simple groups of Lie type. I: Non-semisimple classes in \(\mathbf{PSL}_n(q)\). (Q492983)

This is the first paper in a series intended to determine the finite-dimensional complex pointed Hopf algebras \(H\) with group \(G(H)\) of group-like elements isomorphic to a finite simple group of Lie type. A finite group \(G\) is said to collapse if every finite-dimensional pointed Hopf algebra \(H\) with \(G(H)\) isomorphic to \(G\) is isomorphic to \(\mathbb CG\), \(\mathbb C\) the complex numbers. \textit{N. Andruskiewitsch, F. Fantino, M. Graña} and \textit{L. Vendramin} showed that \(G\) collapses if and only if for every (irreducible) \(V\) in the category of Yetter-Drinfeld modules over \(\mathbb CG\), the Nichols algebra \(B(V)\) is infinite-dimensional [Ann. Mat. Pura Appl. (4) 190, No. 2, 225-245 (2011; Zbl 1234.16019)]. All irreducible \(V\) are of the form \(M(\mathcal O,p)\), \(\mathcal O\) a conjugacy class of \(G\), \(p\) an irreducible character. \(\mathcal O\) is a rack. A rack \(X\) is said to collapse when \(B(X,s)\) is finite-dimensional for every faithful 2-cocycle \(s\). Then the issue is to determine all pairs \((X,s)\), \(X\) a finite rack and \(s\) a non-principal 2-cocycle, such that \(B(X,s)\) is finite-dimensional. (Certain technical details are omitted in this general outline.) After some discussion of racks of types \(D\) and \(F\), unipotent classes in \(\mathbf{SL}_n(q)\), the authors show the unipotent elements in \(G=\mathbf{PSL}_n(q)\) which collapse (\(q\) not \(2,3,4,5,9\) when \(n=2\)). A final section discusses non-semisimple classes in \(\mathbf{PSL}_n(q)\) and obtains some collapsing results. For Part II, see [the authors, Commun. Contemp. Math. 18, No. 4, Article ID 1550053, 35 p. (2016; Zbl 1357.16047)].