Eastern Washington University EWU Digital Commons EWU Masters Thesis Collection Student Research and Creative Works 2012 An introduction to the theory of quantum groups Ryan W. Downie Eastern Washington University Follow this and additional works at: http://dc.ewu.edu/theses Part of the Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons Recommended Citation Downie, Ryan W., "An introduction to the theory of quantum groups" (2012). EWU Masters Thesis Collection. 36. http://dc.ewu.edu/theses/36 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Research and Creative Works at EWU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in EWU Masters Thesis Collection by an authorized administrator of EWU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY An Introduction to the Theory of Quantum Groups by Ryan W. Downie A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment for the degree of Master of Science in Mathematics in the Department of Mathematics June 2012 THESIS OF RYAN W. DOWNIE APPROVED BY DATE: RON GENTLE, GRADUATE STUDY COMMITTEE DATE: DALE GARRAWAY, GRADUATE STUDY COMMITTEE EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY Abstract Department of Mathematics Master of Science in Mathematics by Ryan W. Downie This thesis is meant to be an introduction to the theory of quantum groups, a new and exciting field having deep relevance to both pure and applied mathematics. Throughout the thesis, basic theory of requisite background material is developed within an overar- ching categorical framework. This background material includes vector spaces, algebras and coalgebras, bialgebras, Hopf algebras, and Lie algebras. The understanding gained from these subjects is then used to explore some of the more basic, albeit important, quantum groups.