Finite-dimensional pointed Hopf algebras with alternating groups are trivial. (Q540723)

The authors obtain further results on the classification of pointed Hopf algebras over the field \(\mathbb C\) of complex numbers. This is done according to the general method (so-called Lifting Method) developed by the first-named author and \textit{H.-J. Schneider} [Math. Sci. Res. Inst. Publ. 43, 1-68 (2002; Zbl 1011.16025)]. In order to classify pointed Hopf algebras \(H\) with a finite group \(G\) of group-like elements, a key step is to determine whether the dimension of the Nichols algebra associated to a Yetter-Drinfeld module over \(G\) is finite. The main result of the paper under review states that Nichols algebras over the alternating group \(A_n\), \(n\geq 5\), are infinite dimensional. This implies that every finite dimensional pointed Hopf algebra with group of group-likes isomorphic to \(A_n\), \(n\geq 5\), is isomorphic to the group algebra of \(A_n\). On the other hand, it is shown that Nichols algebras over the symmetric group \(S_n\), \(n\geq 5\), are infinite dimensional, except maybe those quadratic algebras related to transpositions appearing in the work of \textit{S. Fomin} and \textit{A. N. Kirillov} [Prog. Math. 172, 147-182 (1999; Zbl 0940.05070)] and one further class in the case of \(S_5\). It is also shown that for any simple rack \(X\) arising from a symmetric group, except for those in a small list, and for any \(2\)-cocycle on \(X\) the dimension of the corresponding Nichols algebra is infinite. This improves previous results for the symmetric group obtained by \textit{N. Andruskiewitsch} and \textit{F. Fantino} [J. Math. Phys. 48, No. 3, 033502 (2007; Zbl 1112.16035)] and \textit{N. Andruskiewitsch, F. Fantino} and \textit{S. Zhang} [Manuscr. Math. 128, No. 3, 359-371 (2009; Zbl 1169.16022)].