The Noether problem for Hopf algebras (Q740096)

Summary: In a previous work [Adv. Math. 218, No. 5, 1453--1495 (2008; Zbl 1152.16026)], \textit{E. Aljadeff} and the first author attached an algebra \(\mathcal{B}_H\) of rational fractions to each Hopf algebra \(H\). The generalized Noether problem is the following: for which finite-dimensional Hopf algebras \(H\) is \(\mathcal{B}_H\) the localization of a polynomial algebra? A positive answer to this question when \(H\) is the algebra of functions on a finite group \(G\) implies a positive answer to the classical Noether problem for \(G\). We show that the generalized Noether problem has a positive answer for all finite-dimensional pointed Hopf algebras over a field of characteristic zero (we actually give a precise description of \(\mathcal{B}_H\) for such a Hopf algebra).{ }A theory of polynomial identities for comodule algebras over a Hopf algebra \(H\) gives rise to a universal comodule algebra whose subalgebra of coinvariants \(\mathcal{V}_H\) maps injectively into \(\mathcal{B}_H\). In the second half of this paper, we show that \(\mathcal{B}_H\) is a localization of \(\mathcal{V}_H\) when \(H\) is a finite-dimensional pointed Hopf algebra in characteristic zero. We also report on a result by Uma Iyer showing that the same localization result holds when \(H\) is the algebra of functions on a finite group.