In mathematics, a Hopf algebra, H, is quasitriangular[1] if there exists an invertible element, R, of
such that
for all
, where
is the coproduct on H, and the linear map
is given by
,
,
,
where
,
, and
, where
,
, and
, are algebra morphisms determined by



R is called the R-matrix.
As a consequence of the properties of quasitriangularity, the R-matrix, R, is a solution of the Yang–Baxter equation (and so a module V of H can be used to determine quasi-invariants of braids, knots and links). Also as a consequence of the properties of quasitriangularity,
; moreover
,
, and
. One may further show that the
antipode S must be a linear isomorphism, and thus S2 is an automorphism. In fact, S2 is given by conjugating by an invertible element:
where
(cf. Ribbon Hopf algebras).
It is possible to construct a quasitriangular Hopf algebra from a Hopf algebra and its dual, using the Drinfeld quantum double construction.
If the Hopf algebra H is quasitriangular, then the category of modules over H is braided with braiding
.
Twisting
The property of being a quasi-triangular Hopf algebra is preserved by twisting via an invertible element
such that
and satisfying the cocycle condition

Furthermore,
is invertible and the twisted antipode is given by
, with the twisted comultiplication, R-matrix and co-unit change according to those defined for the quasi-triangular quasi-Hopf algebra. Such a twist is known as an admissible (or Drinfeld) twist.
See also
Notes
- ^ Montgomery & Schneider (2002), p. 72.
References