arXiv subjects

Eric Jespers

Publications and source records attributed to Eric Jespers.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Free Skew Braces and Free Solutions of the Yang--Baxter Equation

We offer a workable construction of the free right nilpotent skew braces of arbitrary class which allows us to prove (among many other things) that this free object has free additive/multiplicative groups, and that it must also be residually finite and Hopfian. We introduce the class of right nilpotent solutions, which correspond to right nilpotent skew braces. As a consequence of our construction, the free solutions in this class have a solvable Word Problem, and every law holding for finite solutions of the previous type also holds for every solution of the same type. In the remainder of the paper, we present further explicit realizations of free objects and explore their consequences. Among these are free two-sided skew braces of abelian type (with an abelian multiplicative group) and free centrally nilpotent skew braces of class 2.

math.GR↗

arXiv2023

Simple solutions of the Yang-Baxter equation

We study simple set-theoretic solutions of the Yang-Baxter equation that are finite and non-degenerate. Such retractable solutions are fully described and to investigate the irretracble solutions we give a new algebraic method. Our approach includes and extends the work of Joyce for quandles and Castelli for involutive solutions, demonstrating that the simplicity of a solution can be understood through its associated permutation skew left brace. In particular, we show that this skew left brace must have the smallest non-zero ideal, and the quotient by this ideal gives a trivial skew left brace of cyclic type; clearly all simple skew left braces satisfy these assumptions. As an application of our approach we construct and characterise new infinite families of simple solutions that are neither involutive nor quandles. Additionally, we show that our method can be applied to simple skew left braces to generate further families of simple solutions.

math.RA↗

arXiv2023

Structure algebras of finite set-theoretic solutions of the Yang--Baxter equation

Quadratic algebras related to some classes of finite left non-degenerate solutions (X,r) of the Yang--Baxter equation have been intensively studied since they are the associative ring-theoretical tool to study solutions. These are the monoid algebras K[M(X,r)] and K[A(X,r)], over a field K, of its structure monoid M(X,r) and left derived structure monoid A(X,r). In case r is bijective (and thus also right non-degenerate) it is known that these algebras are representable (hence PI), left and right Noetherian and have finite Gelfand-Kirillov dimension. Moreover, such algebras are domains (or equivalently prime) if and only if they have finite global dimension, which also is equivalent to r being an involutive map. In this paper we deal with structure algebras of arbitrary finite left non-degenerate solutions (X,r), except for the last section. If (X,r) satisfies additional conditions, such as being bijective, idempotent or left derived, it has been shown in a series of papers that K[M(X,r)] is left Noetherian. In the first part of the paper we show that the algebra K[M(X,r)] always is left Noetherian. Via divisibility by generators, we construct an ideal chain in M(X,r) that has very strong algebraic structural properties on its Rees factors. This allows to obtain characterizations of when the algebras K[M(X,r)] and K[A(X,r)] are right Noetherian. Intricate relationships between ring-theoretical and homological properties of these algebras and properties of the solution (X,r) are proven. Furthermore, we describe the cancellative congruences of A(X,r) and M(X,r) as well as the prime spectrum of K[A(X,r)]. This then leads to an explicit formula for the Gelfand-Kirillov dimension of K[M(X,r)] and it equals the classical Krull dimension.

math.RA↗

arXiv2022

Finite idempotent set-theoretic solutions of the Yang--Baxter equation

It is proven that finite idempotent left non-degenerate set-theoretic solutions $(X,r)$ of the Yang-Baxter equation on a set $X$ are determined by a left simple semigroup structure on $X$ (in particular, a finite union of isomorphic copies of a group) and some maps $q$ and $\varphi_x$ on $X$, for $x\in X$. This structure turns out to be a group precisely when the associated structure monoid is cancellative and all the maps $\varphi_x$ are equal to an automorphism of this group. Equivalently, the structure algebra $K[M(X,r)]$ is right Noetherian, or in characteristic zero it has to be semiprime. The structure algebra always is a left Noetherian representable algebra of Gelfand--Kirillov dimension one. To prove these results it is shown that the structure semigroup $S(X,r)$ has a decomposition in finitely many cancellative semigroups $S_u$ indexed by the diagonal, each $S_u$ has a group of quotients $G_u$ that is finite-by-(infinite cyclic) and the union of these groups carries the structure of a left simple semigroup. The case that $X$ equals the diagonal is fully described by a single permutation on $X$.

math.RA↗

arXiv2022

Units of twisted group rings and their correlations to classical group rings

This paper is centered around the classical problem of extracting properties of a finite group $G$ from the ring isomorphism class of its integral group ring $\mathbb{Z} G$. This problem is considered via describing the unit group $\mathcal{U}( \mathbb{Z} G)$ generically for a finite group. Since the $`90s$ several well known generic constructions of units are known to generate a subgroup of finite index in $\mathcal{U}(\mathbb{Z } G)$ if $\mathbb{Q} G$ does not have so-called exceptional simple epimorphic images, e.g. $M_2 (\mathbb{Q})$. However it remained a major open problem to find a {\it generic} construction under the presence of the latter type of simple images. In this article we obtain such generic construction of units. Moreover, this new construction also exhibits new properties, such as providing generically free subgroups of large rank. As an application we answer positively for several classes of groups recent conjectures on the rank and the periodic elements of the abelianisation $\mathcal{U}(\mathbb{Z} G)^{ab}$. To obtain all this, we investigate the group ring $R \Gamma$ of an extension $\Gamma$ of some normal subgroup $N$ by a group $G$, over a domain $R$. More precisely, we obtain a direct sum decomposition of the (twisted) group algebra of $\Gamma$ over the fraction field $F$ of $R$ in terms of various twisted group rings of $G$ over finite extensions of $F$. Furthermore, concrete information on the kernel and cokernel of the associated projections is obtained. Along the way we also launch the investigations of the unit group of twisted group rings and of $\mathcal{U}( R\Gamma)$ via twisted group rings.

math.RA↗

arXiv2022

Corrigendum and Addendum to "Structure monoids of set-theoretic solutions of the Yang--Baxter equation"

One of the results in our article, which appeared in Publ. Mat. 65 (2021), 499--528, is that the structure monoid $M(X,r)$ of a left non-degenerate solution $(X,r)$ of the Yang-Baxter Equation is a left semi-truss, in the sense of Brzezi\'nski, with an additive structure monoid that is close to being a normal semigroup. Let $\eta$ denote the least left cancellative congruence on the additive monoid $M(X,r)$. It is then shown that $\eta$ also is a congruence on the multiplicative monoid $M(X,r)$ and that the left cancellative epimorphic image $\bar{M}=M(X,r)/\eta$ inherits a semi-truss structure and thus one obtains a natural left non-degenerate solution of the Yang-Baxter equation on $\bar{M}$. Moreover, it restricts to the original solution $r$ for some interesting classes, in particular if $(X, r)$ is irretractable. The proof contains a gap. In the first part of the paper we correct this mistake by introducing a new left cancellative congruence $\mu$ on the additive monoid $M(X,r)$ and show that it also yields a left cancellative congruence on the multiplicative monoid $M(X,r)$ and we obtain a semi-truss structure on $M(X,r)/\mu$ that also yields a natural left non-degenerate solution. In the second part of the paper we start from the least left cancellative congruence $\nu$ on the multiplicative monoid $M(X,r)$ and show that it also is a congruence on the additive monoid $M(X,r)$ in case $r$ is bijective. If, furthermore, $r$ is left and right non-degenerate and bijective then $\nu =\eta$, the least left cancellative congruence on the additive monoid $M(X,r)$, extending an earlier result of Jespers, Kubat and Van Antwerpen to the infinite case.

math.RA↗

arXiv2021

Left non-degenerate set-theoretic solutions of the Yang-Baxter equation and semitrusses

To determine and analyze arbitrary left non-degenerate set-theoretic solutions of the Yang-Baxter equation (not necessarily bijective), we introduce an associative algebraic structure, called a YB-semitruss, that forms a subclass of the category of semitrusses as introduced by Brzezi\'nski. Fundamental examples of YB-semitrusses are structure monoids of left non-degenerate set-theoretic solutions and (skew) left braces. Gateva-Ivanova and Van den Bergh introduced structure monoids and showed their importance (as well as that of the structure algebra) for studying involutive non-degenerate solutions. Skew left braces were introduced by Guarnieri, Vendramin and Rump to deal with bijective non-degenerate solutions. Hence, YB-semitrusses also yield a unified treatment of these different algebraic structures. The algebraic structure of YB-semitrusses is investigated, and as a consequence, it is proven, for example, that any finite left non-degenerate set-theoretic solution of the Yang-Baxter equation is right non-degenerate if and only if it is bijective. Furthermore, it is shown that some finite left non-degenerate solutions can be reduced to non-degenerate solutions of smaller size. The structure algebra of a finitely generated YB-semitruss is an algebra defined by homogeneous quadratic relations. We prove that it often is a left Noetherian algebra of finite Gelfand-Kirillov dimension that satisfies a polynomial identity, but in general, it is not right Noetherian.

math.RA↗

arXiv2020

Nilpotent Decomposition in Integral Group Rings

A finite group $G$ is said to have the nilpotent decomposition property (ND) if for every nilpotent element $\alpha$ of the integral group ring $\mathbb{Z}[G]$ one has that $\alpha e$ also belong to $\mathbb{Z}[G]$, for every primitive central idempotent $e$ of the rational group algebra $\mathbb{Q}[G]$. Results of Hales, Passi and Wilson, Liu and Passman show that this property is fundamental in the investigations of the multiplicative Jordan decomposition of integral group rings. If $G$ and all its subgroups have ND then Liu and Passman showed that $G$ has property SSN, that is, for subgroups $H$, $Y$ and $N$ of $G$, if $N\lhd H $ and $Y\subseteq H$ then $N\subseteq Y$ or $YN$ is normal in $H$; and such groups have been described. In this article, we study the nilpotent decomposition property in integral group rings and we classify finite SSN groups $G$ such that the rational group algebra $\mathbb{Q}[G]$ has only one Wedderburn component which is not a division ring.

math.RA↗

arXiv2020

Structure of group rings and the group of units of integral group rings: an invitation

During the past three decades fundamental progress has been made on constructing large torsion-free subgroups (i.e. subgroups of finite index) of the unit group $\U (\Z G)$ of the integral group ring $\Z G$ of a finite group $G$. These constructions rely on explicit constructions of units in $\Z G$ and proofs of main results make use of the description of the Wedderburn components of the rational group algebra $\Q G$. The latter relies on explicit constructions of primitive central idempotents and the rational representations of $G$. It turns out that the existence of reduced two degree representations play a crucial role. Although the unit group is far from being understood, some structure results on this group have been obtained. In this paper we give a survey of some of the fundamental results and the essential needed techniques.

math.RA↗

arXiv2020

Set-theoretic solutions of the Pentagon Equation

A set-theoretic solution of the Pentagon Equation on a non-empty set $S$ is a map $s\colon S^2\to S^2$ such that $s_{23}s_{13}s_{12}=s_{12}s_{23}$, where $s_{12}=s\times\mathrm{id}$, $s_{23}=\mathrm{id}\times s$ and $s_{13}=(τ\times\mathrm{id})(\mathrm{id}\times s)(τ\times\mathrm{id})$ are mappings from $S^3$ to itself and $τ\colon S^2\to S^2$ is the flip map, i.e., $τ(x,y) =(y,x)$. We give a description of all involutive solutions, i.e., $s^2=\mathrm{id}$. It is shown that such solutions are determined by a factorization of $S$ as direct product $X\times A \times G$ and a map $σ\colon A\to\mathrm{Sym}(X)$, where $X$ is a non-empty set and $A,G$ are elementary abelian $2$-groups. Isomorphic solutions are determined by the cardinalities of $A$, $G$ and $X$, i.e., the map $σ$ is irrelevant. In particular, if $S$ is finite of cardinality $2^n(2m+1)$ for some $n,m\geq 0$ then, on $S$, there are precisely $\binom{n+2}{2}$ non-isomorphic solutions of the Pentagon Equation.

math.RA↗

arXiv2020

A dichotomy for integral group rings via higher modular groups as amalgamated products

We show that $\mathcal{U}(\mathbb{Z}G)$, the unit group of the integral group ring $\mathbb{Z} G$, either satisfies Kazhdan's property (T) or is, up to commensurability, a non-trivial amalgamated product, in case $G$ is a finite group satisfying some mild conditions. Crucial in the proof is the construction of amalgamated decompositions of the elementary group $\operatorname{E}_2(\mathcal{O})$, where $\mathcal{O}$ is an order in a rational division algebra. A major step is to introduce subgroups $\operatorname{E}_2(Γ_n(\mathbb{Z}))$ inside the so-called higher modular groups $\operatorname{SL}_+(Γ_n(\mathbb{Z}))$, which are discrete subgroups of certain $2 \times 2$ matrix groups with entries in a Clifford algebra. The groups $\operatorname{E}_2(Γ_n(\mathbb{Z}))$ mimic the elementary groups in linear groups over rings. We prove that $\operatorname{E}_2(Γ_n(\mathbb{Z}))$ has in general a non-trivial decomposition as a free product with amalgamated subgroup $\operatorname{E}_2(Γ_{n-1}(\mathbb{Z}))$. From this we obtain that also the higher modular groups do have a very clearly structured amalgam decompositions in low dimensions.

math.GR↗

arXiv2019

Structure monoids of set-theoretic solutions of the Yang-Baxter equation

Given a set-theoretic solution $(X,r)$ of the Yang--Baxter equation, we denote by $M=M(X,r)$ the structure monoid and by $A=A(X,r)$, respectively $A'=A'(X,r)$, the left, respectively right, derived structure monoid of $(X,r)$. It is shown that there exist a left action of $M$ on $A$ and a right action of $M$ on $A'$ and 1-cocycles $\pi$ and $\pi'$ of $M$ with coefficients in $A$ and in $A'$ with respect to these actions respectively. We investigate when the 1-cocycles are injective, surjective or bijective. In case $X$ is finite, it turns out that $\pi$ is bijective if and only if $(X,r)$ is left non-degenerate, and $\pi'$ is bijective if and only if $(X,r)$ is right non-degenerate. In case $(X,r) $ is left non-degenerate, in particular $\pi$ is bijective, we define a semi-truss structure on $M(X,r)$ and then we show that this naturally induces a set-theoretic solution $(\bar M, \bar r)$ on the least cancellative image $\bar M= M(X,r)/\eta$ of $M(X,r)$. In case $X$ is naturally embedded in $M(X,r)/\eta$, for example when $(X,r)$ is irretractable, then $\bar r$ is an extension of $r$. It also is shown that non-degenerate irretractable solutions necessarily are bijective.

math.RA↗

arXiv2019

The structure monoid and algebra of a non-degenerate set-theoretic solution of the Yang-Baxter equation

For a finite involutive non-degenerate solution $(X,r)$ of the Yang--Baxter equation it is known that the structure monoid $M(X,r)$ is a monoid of I-type, and the structure algebra $K[M(X,r)]$ over a field $K$ share many properties with commutative polynomial algebras, in particular, it is a Noetherian PI-domain that has finite Gelfand--Kirillov dimension. In this paper we deal with arbitrary finite (left) non-degenerate solutions. Although the structure of both the monoid $M(X,r)$ and the algebra $K[M(X,r)]$ is much more complicated than in the involutive case, we provide some deep insights. In this general context, using a realization of Lebed and Vendramin of $M(X,r)$ as a regular submonoid in the semidirect product $A(X,r)\rtimes\mathrm{Sym}(X)$, where $A(X,r)$ is the structure monoid of the rack solution associated to $(X,r)$, we prove that $K[M(X,r)]$ is a module finite normal extension of a commutative affine subalgebra. In particular, $K[M(X,r)]$ is a Noetherian PI-algebra of finite Gelfand--Kirillov dimension bounded by $|X|$. We also characterize, in ring-theoretical terms of $K[M(X,r)]$, when $(X,r)$ is an involutive solution. This characterization provides, in particular, a positive answer to the Gateva-Ivanova conjecture concerning cancellativity of $M(X,r)$. These results allow us to control the prime spectrum of the algebra $K[M(X,r)]$ and to describe the Jacobson radical and prime radical of $K[M(X,r)]$. Finally, we give a matrix-type representation of the algebra $K[M(X,r)]/P$ for each prime ideal $P$ of $K[M(X,r)]$. As a consequence, we show that if $K[M(X,r)]$ is semiprime then there exist finitely many finitely generated abelian-by-finite groups, $G_1,\dotsc,G_m$, each being the group of quotients of a cancellative subsemigroup of $M(X,r)$ such that the algebra $K[M(X,r)]$ embeds into $\mathrm{M}_{v_1}(K[G_1])\times\dotsb\times \mathrm{M}_{v_m}(K[G_m])$.

math.RA↗

arXiv2018

On polynomials that are not quite an identity on an associative algebra

Let $f$ be a polynomial in the free algebra over a field $K$, and let $A$ be a $K$-algebra. We denote by $§_A(f)$, $\A_A(f)$ and $\I_A(f)$, respectively, the `verbal' subspace, subalgebra, and ideal, in $A$, generated by the set of all $f$-values in $A$. We begin by studying the following problem: if $§_A(f)$ is finite-dimensional, is it true that $\A_A(f)$ and $\I_A(f)$ are also finite-dimensional? We then consider the dual to this problem for `marginal' subspaces that are finite-codimensional in $A$. If $f$ is multilinear, the marginal subspace, $\widehat§_A(f)$, of $f$ in $A$ is the set of all elements $z$ in $A$ such that $f$ evaluates to 0 whenever any of the indeterminates in $f$ is evaluated to $z$. We conclude by discussing the relationship between the finite-dimensionality of $§_A(f)$ and the finite-codimensionality of $\widehat§_A(f)$.

math.RA↗

arXiv2018

Abelianization and fixed point properties of units in integral group rings

Let $G$ be a finite group and $\mathcal{U} (\mathbb{Z} G)$ the unit group of the integral group ring $\mathbb{Z} G$. We prove a unit theorem, namely a characterization of when $\mathcal{U}(\mathbb{Z}G)$ satisfies Kazhdan's property $(\operatorname{T})$, both in terms of the finite group $G$ and in terms of the simple components of the semisimple algebra $\mathbb{Q}G$. Furthermore, it is shown that for $\mathcal{U}( \mathbb{Z} G)$ this property is equivalent to the weaker property $\operatorname{FAb}$ (i.e. every subgroup of finite index has finite abelianization), and in particular also to a hereditary version of Serre's property $\operatorname{FA}$, denoted $\operatorname{HFA}$. More precisely, it is described when all subgroups of finite index in $\mathcal{U} (\mathbb{Z} G)$ have both finite abelianization and are not a non-trivial amalgamated product. A crucial step for this is a reduction to arithmetic groups $\operatorname{SL}_n(\mathcal{O})$, where $\mathcal{O}$ is an order in a finite dimensional semisimple $\mathbb{Q}$-algebra $D$, and finite groups $G$ which have the so-called cut property. For such groups $G$ we describe the simple epimorphic images of $\mathbb{Q} G$. The proof of the unit theorem fundamentally relies on fixed point properties and the abelianization of the elementary subgroups $\operatorname{E}_n(D)$ of $\operatorname{SL}_n(D)$. These groups are well understood except in the degenerate case of lower rank, i.e.\ for $\operatorname{SL}_2(\mathcal{O})$ with $\mathcal{O}$ an order in a division algebra $D$ with a finite number of units. In this setting we determine Serre's property \FA for $\operatorname{E}_2(\mathcal{O})$ and its subgroups of finite index. We construct a generic and computable exact sequence describing its abelianization, affording a closed formula for its $\mathbb{Z}$-rank.

math.GR↗

arXiv2018

Global and local properties of finite groups with only finitely many central units in their integral group ring

The aim of this article is to explore global and local properties of finite groups whose integral group rings have only trivial central units, so-called cut groups. For such a group we study actions of Galois groups on its character table and show that the natural actions on the rows and columns are essentially the same, in particular the number of rational-valued irreducible characters coincides with the number of rational-valued conjugacy classes. Further, we prove a natural criterion for nilpotent groups of class 2 to be cut and give a complete list of simple cut groups. Also, the impact of the cut property on Sylow 3-subgroups is discussed. We also collect substantial data on groups which indicates that the class of cut groups is surprisingly large. Several open problems are included.

math.GR↗

arXiv2018

An abundance of simple left braces with abelian multiplicative Sylow subgroups

Braces were introduced by Rump to study involutive non-degenerate set-theoretic solutions of the Yang-Baxter equation. A constructive method for producing all such finite solutions from a description of all finite left braces has been recently discovered. It is thus a fundamental problem to construct and classify all simple left braces, as they can be considered as building blocks for the general theory. This program recently has been initiated by Bachiller and the authors. In this paper we study the simple finite left braces such that the Sylow subgroups of their multiplicative groups are abelian. We provide several new families of such simple left braces. In particular, they lead to the main, surprising result, that shows that there is an abundance of such simple left braces.

math.QA↗

arXiv2018

Left semi-braces and solutions to the Yang-Baxter equation

Let $r:X^{2}\rightarrow X^{2}$ be a set-theoretic solution of the Yang-Baxter equation on a finite set $X$. It was proven by Gateva-Ivanova and Van den Bergh that if $r$ is non-degenerate and involutive then the algebra $K\langle x \in X \mid xy =uv \mbox{ if } r(x,y)=(u,v)\rangle$ shares many properties with commutative polynomial algebras in finitely many variables; in particular this algebra is Noetherian, satisfies a polynomial identity and has Gelfand-Kirillov dimension a positive integer. Lebed and Vendramin recently extended this result to arbitrary non-degenerate bijective solutions. Such solutions are naturally associated to finite skew left braces. In this paper we will prove an analogue result for arbitrary solutions $r_B$ that are associated to a left semi-brace $B$; such solutions can be degenerate or can even be idempotent. In order to do so we first describe such semi-braces and we prove some decompositions results extending results of Catino, Colazzo, and Stefanelli.

math.GR↗