The aim of this paper is to give an overview and to compare the different deformation theories of algebraic structures. We describe in each case the corresponding notions of degeneration and rigidity. We illustrate these notions with examples and give some general properties. The last part of this work shows how these notions help in the study of associative algebras varieties. The first and popular deformation approach was introduced by M. Gerstenhaber for rings and algebras using formal power series. A noncommutative version was given by Pinczon and generalized by F. Nadaud. A more general approach called global deformation follows from a general theory of Schlessinger and was developed by A. Fialowski in order to deform infinite dimensional nilpotent Lie algebras. In a Nonstandard framework, M.Goze introduced the notion of perturbation for studying the rigidity of finite dimensional complex Lie algebras. All these approaches has in common the fact that we make an "extension" of the field. These theories may be applied to any multilinear structure. We shall be concerned in this paper with the category of associative algebras.
We show that three deformation functors (deformations of the product, flat deformations and deformations of the relations) assigned to an associative algebra are naturally isomorphic.
We introduce an equivariant version of Hochschild cohomology as the deformation cohomology to study equivariant deformations of associative algebras equipped with finite group actions.
We consider associative algebras over a field. An algebra variety is said to be {\em Lie nilpotent} if it satisfies a polynomial identity of the kind $[x_1, x_2, ..., x_n] = 0$ where $[x_1,x_2] = x_1x_2 - x_2x_1$ and $[x_1, x_2, ..., x_n]$ is defined inductively by $[x_1, x_2, ..., x_n]=[[x_1, x_2, ..., x_{n-1}],x_n]$. By Zorn's Lemma every non-Lie nilpotent variety contains a minimal such variety, called {\em almost Lie nilpotent}, as a subvariety. A description of almost Lie nilpotent varieties for algebras over a field of characteristic 0 was made up by Yu.Mal'cev. We find a list of non-pri…
In this paper, we consider compatible Hom-associative algebras as a twisted version of compatible associative algebras. Compatible Hom-associative algebras are characterized as Maurer-Cartan elements in a suitable bidifferential graded Lie algebra. We also define a cohomology theory for compatible Hom-associative algebras generalizing the classical case. As applications of cohomology, we study abelian extensions and deformations of compatible Hom-associative algebras.
We study deformation quantization of nonassociative algebras whose associator satisfies some symmetric relations. This study is expanded to a larger class of nonassociative algebras includind Leibniz algebras. We apply also to this class the rule of polarization-depolarization.
We prove that if two associative deformations (parameterized by the same complete local ring) are derived Morita equivalent, then they are Morita equivalent (in the classical sense).
We study a special class of weakly associative algebras: the symmetric Leibniz algebras. We describe the structure of the commutative and skew symmetric algebras associated with the polarization-depolarization principle. We also give a structure theorem for the symmetric Leibniz algebras and we study formal deformations in the context of deformation quantization.
We investigate Lie algebras whose Lie bracket is also an associative or cubic associative multiplication to characterize the class of nilpotent Lie algebras with a nilindex equal to 2 or 3. In particular we study the class of 2-step nilpotent Lie algebras, their deformations and we compute the cohomology which parametrize the deformations in this class.
We introduce the first hom-associative Weyl algebras over a field of prime characteristic as a generalization of the first associative Weyl algebra in prime characteristic. First, we study properties of hom-associative algebras constructed from associative algebras by a general "twisting" procedure. Then, with the help of these results, we determine the commuter, center, nuclei, and set of derivations of the first hom-associative Weyl algebras. We also classify them up to isomorphism, and show, among other things, that all nonzero endomorphisms on them are injective, but not surjective. Last, …
Algebraic scheme for constructing deformations of structure constants for associative algebras generated by a deformation driving algebras (DDAs) is discussed. An ideal of left divisors of zero plays a central role in this construction. Deformations of associative three-dimensional algebras with the DDA being a three-dimensional Lie algebra and their connection with integrable systems are studied.
We show that some results of L. Makar-Limanov, P. Malcolmson and Z. Reichstein on the existence of free associative algebras are valid in the more general context of varieties of algebras.
We introduce the notion of basic superrank for varieties of algebras which generalizes that of basic rank. First we consider a number of varieties of nearly associative algebras over a field of characteristic $0$ that have infinite basic ranks and calculate their basic superranks which turns out to be finite. Namely we prove that the variety of alternative metabelian (solvable of index $2$) algebras has the two basic superranks $(1,1)$ and $(0,3)$; the varieties of Jordan and Malcev metabelian algebras have the unique basic superranks $(0,2)$ and $(1,1)$, respectively. Furthermore, for arbitra…
The purpose of this paper is to study the structure and the algebraic varieties of Hom-associative algebras. We give characterize multiplicative simple Hom-associative algebras and show some examples deforming the $2\times 2$-matrix algebra to simple Hom-associative algebras. We provide a classification of $n$-dimensional Hom-associative algebras for $n\leq3$. Then study their derivations and compute small Hom-Type Hochschild cohomology groups. Furthermore, we discuss their irreducible components.
Considering a Poisson algebra as a non associative algebra satisfying the Markl-Remm identity, we study deformations of Poisson algebras as deformations of this non associative algebra. This gives a natural interpretation of deformations which preserves the underlying associative structure and we study deformations which preserve the underlying Lie algebra.
The aim of this paper is to extend to Hom-algebra structures the theory of formal deformations of algebras which was introduced by Gerstenhaber for associative algebras and extended to Lie algebras by Nijenhuis-Richardson. We deal with Hom-associative and Hom-Lie algebras. We construct the first groups of a deformation cohomology and give several examples of deformations. We provide families of Hom-Lie algebras deforming Lie algebra $sl_2$ and describe as formal deformations the q-deformed Witt algebra and Jackson $sl_2$.
We develop the notion of deformations using a valuation ring as ring of coefficients. This permits to consider in particular the classical Gerstenhaber deformations of associative or Lie algebras as infinitesimal deformations and to solve the equation of deformations in a polynomial frame. We consider also the deformations of the enveloping algebra of a rigid Lie algebra and we define valued deformations for some classes of non associative algebras.
The first (associative) Weyl algebra is formally rigid in the classical sense. In this paper, we show that it can however be formally deformed in a nontrivial way when considered as a so-called hom-associative algebra, and that this deformation preserves properties such as the commuter, while deforming others, such as the center, power associativity, the set of derivations, and some commutation relations. We then show that this deformation induces a formal deformation of the corresponding Lie algebra into what is known as a hom-Lie algebra, when using the commutator as bracket. We also prove t…
Deformations of the structure constants for a class of associative noncommutative algebras generated by Deformation Driving Algebras (DDA's) are defined and studied. These deformations are governed by the Central System (CS). Such a CS is studied for the case of DDA being the algebra of shifts. Concrete examples of deformations for the three-dimensional algebra governed by discrete and mixed continuous-discrete Boussinesq (BSQ) and WDVV equations are presented. It is shown that the theory of the Darboux transformations, at least for the BSQ case, is completely incorporated into the proposed sc…
In this paper, we study the moduli space of $1|2$-dimensional complex associative algebras, which is also the moduli space of codifferentials on the tensor coalgebra of a $2|1$-dimensional complex space. We construct the moduli space by considering extensions of lower dimensional algebras. We also construct miniversal deformations of these algebras. This gives a complete description of how the moduli space is glued together via jump deformations.
In this paper, we study the moduli space of $2|1$-dimensional complex associative algebras, which is also the moduli space of codifferentials on the tensor coalgebra of a $1|2$-dimensional complex space. We construct the moduli space by considering extensions of lower dimensional algebras. We also construct miniversal deformations of these algebras. This gives a complete description of how the moduli space is glued together via jump deformations.
Hom-dendriform algebras are twisted analog of dendriform algebras and are splitting of hom-associative algebras. In this paper, we define a cohomology and deformation for hom-dendriform algebras. We relate this cohomology with the Hochschild-type cohomology of hom-associative algebras. We also describe similar results for the twisted analog of dendriform coalgebras.
Discrete and q-difference deformations of the structure constants for a class of associative noncommutative algebras are studied. It is shown that these deformations are governed by a central system of discrete or q-difference equations which in particular cases represent discrete and q-difference versions of the oriented associativity equation. It is demonstrated also that the celebrated Hirota-Miwa bilinear equation for the AKP and BKP hierarchies describes discrete deformations of certain finite-dimensional algebras.
Rota-Baxter operators and more generally $\mathcal{O}$-operators on associative algebras are important in probability, combinatorics, associative Yang-Baxter equation and splitting of algebras. Using a method of Uchino, we construct an explicit graded Lie algebra whose Maurer-Cartan elements are given by $\mathcal{O}$-operators. This allows us to construct a cohomology for an $\mathcal{O}$-operator. This cohomology can also be seen as the Hochschild cohomology of a certain algebra with coefficients in a suitable representation. Next, we study linear and formal deformations of an $\mathcal{O}$-…
In this paper, we introduce the cohomology theory of $\mathcal{O}$-operators on Hom-associative algebras. This cohomology can also be viewed as the Hochschild cohomology of a certain Hom-associative algebra with coefficients in a suitable bimodule. Next, we study infinitesimal and formal deformations of an $\mathcal{O}$-operator and show that they are governed by the above-defined cohomology. Furthermore, the notion of Nijenhuis elements associated with an $\mathcal{O}$-operator is introduced to characterize trivial infinitesimal deformations.
A variety of associative algebras over a field of characteristic 0 is called minimal if its codimension sequence grows much faster than the codimension sequence of any of its proper subvarieties. By the results of Giambruno and Zaicev it follows that the number $b_n$ of minimal varieties of given exponent $n$ is finite. Using methods of the theory of colored (or weighted) compositions of integers, we show that the limit $β=\lim_{n\to\infty}\sqrt[n]{b_n}$ exists and can be expressed as the positive solution of an equation $a(t)=0$ where $a(t)$ is an explicitly given power series. Similar result…
Interrelations between discrete deformations of the structure constants for associative algebras and discrete integrable systems are reviewed. A theory of deformations for associative algebras is presented. Closed left ideal generated by the elements representing the multiplication table plays a central role in this theory. Deformations of the structure constants are generated by the Deformation Driving Algebra and governed by the central system of equations. It is demonstrated that many discrete equations like discrete Boussinesq equation, discrete WDVV equation, discrete Schwarzian KP and BK…
In this paper, we give a purely cohomological interpretation of the extension problem for associative algebras; that is the problem of extending an associative algebra by another associative algebra. We then give a similar interpretation of infinitesimal deformations of extensions. In particular, we consider infinitesimal deformations of representations of an associative algebra.
We study the degeneration relations on the varieties of associative and Lie algebra structures on a fixed finite dimensional vector space and give a description of them in terms of Gerstenhaber formal deformations. We use this result to show how the orbit closure of the $3$-dimensional Lie algebras can be determined using homological algebra. For the case of finite dimensional associative algebras, we prove that the $N$-Koszul property is preserved under the degeneration relation for all $N\geq2$.
In this paper, we study moduli spaces of 2-dimensional complex associative algebras. We give a complete calculation of the cohomology of every element in the moduli space, as well as compute their versal deformations.
Quantum deformations of the structure constants for a class of associative noncommutative algebras are studied. It is shown that these deformations are governed by the quantum central systems which has a geometrical meaning of vanishing Riemann curvature tensor for Christoffel symbols identified with the structure constants. A subclass of isoassociative quantum deformations is described by the oriented associativity equation and, in particular, by the WDVV equation. It is demonstrated that a wider class of weakly (non)associative quantum deformations is connected with the integrable soliton eq…
A variety of associative algebras is called nonmatrix if it does not contain the algebra of 2 x 2 matrices over the given field. Nonmatrix varieties were introduced and studied by V.N.Latyshev in relation with the Specht problem. Some characterizations of nonmatrix varieties were obtained in the paper [10]. In the given paper the notion of nonmatrix variety is extended for nonassociative algebras, and the characterization from [10] is generalized for alternative, Jordan, and some other varieties of algebras.
In this paper, we study the moduli space of $1|1$-dimensional complex associative algebras. We give a complete calculation of the cohomology of every element in the moduli space, as well as compute their versal deformations.
For a given extension $A \subset E$ of associative algebras we describe and classify up to an isomorphism all $A$-complements of $E$, i.e. all subalgebras $X$ of $E$ such that $E = A + X$ and $A \cap X = \{0\}$. Let $X$ be a given complement and $(A, \, X, \, \triangleright, \triangleleft, \leftharpoonup, \rightharpoonup \bigl)$ the canonical matched pair associated with the factorization $E = A + X$. We introduce a new type of deformation of the algebra $X$ by means of the given matched pair and prove that all $A$-complements of $E$ are isomorphic to such a deformation of $X$. Several explici…
A non-nilpotent variety of algebras is almost nilpotent if any proper subvariety is nilpotent. Let the base field be of characteristic zero. It has been shown that for associative or Lie algebras only one such variety exists. Here we present infinite families of such varieties. More precisely we shall prove the existence of 1) a countable family of almost nilpotent varieties of at most linear growth and 2) an uncountable family of almost nilpotent varieties of at most quadratic growth.
The purpose of this paper is to study the structure and the algebraic varieties of BiHom-associative algebras. We provide a classication of n-dimensional BiHom-associative and BiHom-bialgebras and BiHom Hopf algebras for n $\le$ 3.
In this paper, we first propose the concept of Rota-Baxter family $Ω$-associative conformal algebras, then we study the cohomology theory of Rota-Baxter family $Ω$-associative conformal algebras of any weight and justify it by interpreting the lower degree cohomology groups as formal deformations.
In this review article, first we give the concrete formulas of representations and cohomologies of associative algebras, Lie algebras, pre-Lie algebras, Leibniz algebras and 3-Lie algebras and some of their strong homotopy analogues. Then we recall the graded Lie algebras and graded associative algebras that characterize these algebraic structures as Maurer-Cartan elements. The corresponding Maurer-Cartan element equips the graded Lie or associative algebra with a differential. Then the deformations of the given algebraic structures are characterized as the Maurer-Cartan elements of the result…
In this paper we study the moduli space of 4-dimensional complex associative algebras. We use extensions to compute the moduli space, and then give a decomposition of this moduli space into strata consisting of complex projective orbifolds, glued together through jump deformations. Because the space of 4-dimensional algebras is large, we only classify the non-nilpotent algebras in this paper.
Given a variety of universal algebras. A method is suggested for describing automorphisms of a category of free algebras of this variety. Applying this general method all automorphisms of such categories are found in two cases: 1) for the variety of all free associative K-algebras over an infinite field K and 2) for the variety of all representations of groups in unital R-modules over a commutative associative ring R with unit. It turns out that they are almost inner in a sense.
A hom-associative algebra is an algebra whose associativity is twisted by an algebra homomorphism. In this paper, we define a cup product on the cohomology of a hom-associative algebra. We show that the cup product together with the degree $-1$ graded Lie bracket (which controls the deformation of the hom-associative algebra structure) on the cohomology forms a Gerstenhaber algebra. This generalizes a classical fact that the Hochschild cohomology of an associative algebra carries a Gerstenhaber algebra structure.
The zero-divisor graph $Γ(R)$ of an associative ring $R$ is the graph whose vertices are all nonzero zero-divisors (one-sided and two-sided) of $R$, and two distinct vertices $x$ and $y$ are joined by an edge iff either $xy=0$ or $yx=0$. In the present paper, we give a full description of ring varieties where every finite ring is uniquely determined by its zero-divisor graph.
