The higher-rank Askey-Wilson algebra and its braid group automorphisms (Q6085577)

In the present paper, the authors propose a definition by generators and relations of the rank \(n-2\) Askey-Wilson algebra \(\mathfrak{aw}(n)\) for any \(n\in\mathbb{N}\). For \(n=3\), they recover the original Askey-Wilson algebra introduced in [\textit{A. S. Zhedanov}, Teor. Mat. Fiz. 89, No. 2, 190--204 (1991; Zbl 0744.33009)]. Previous works had constructed higher rank versions of the Askey-Wilson algebra as subalgebras of \(U_q(\mathfrak{sl}_2)^{\otimes n}\) generated by certain elements but a complete set of relations had not been provided, see for instance [\textit{H. De Bie} and \textit{H. De Clercq}, J. Lond. Math. Soc., II. Ser. 103, No. 1, 71--126 (2021; Zbl 1468.33019); \textit{H. De Bie} et al., Commun. Math. Phys. 374, No. 1, 277--316 (2020; Zbl 1472.16025); \textit{H. De Clercq}, SIGMA, Symmetry Integrability Geom. Methods Appl. 15, Paper 099, 32 p. (2019; Zbl 1479.16032)]. The generators of \(\mathfrak{aw}(n)\) are indexed by all the subsets of \(\{1, \ldots, n\}\) consisting of consecutive numbers, and there are relations involving two, three or four generators. Working out from these relations the authors deduce new ones and recover old ones which were calculated using the previous definitions of the higher rank Askey-Wilson algebras. Then, the authors study deeply the structure of these algebras. Indeed, they construct algebra automorphisms of \(\mathfrak{aw}(n)\) satisfying the defining relations of the braid group on \(n+1\) strands. The automorphisms are defined by their action on the generators of \(\mathfrak{aw}(n)\). They show that the corresponding action factors through the quotient of the braid group by its centre. They also construct, for each \(a\in\{0, \ldots, n\}\), algebra maps \(\delta_a:\mathfrak{aw}(n)\longrightarrow\mathfrak{aw}(n+1)\) which they call coproduct maps because these are related with the coproduct of \(U_q(\mathfrak{sl}_2)\). And they produce a family of ``Casimir'' central elements of \(\mathfrak{aw}(n)\) for each \(n\). Moreover, the authors analyse how all these features are related between them. They prove commutating relations between the braid automorphisms and the coproduct maps, and how these act on the Casimir elements.