Hopf algebras---Variant notions and reconstruction theorems

Abstract

Hopf algebras are closely related to monoidal categories. More precise, $k$-Hopf algebras can be characterized as those algebras whose category of finite dimensional representations is an autonomous monoidal category such that the forgetful functor to $k$-vectorspaces is a strict monoidal functor. This result is known as the Tannaka reconstruction theorem (for Hopf algebras). Because of the importance of both Hopf algebras in various fields, over the last last few decades, many generalizations have been defined. We will survey these different generalizations from the point of view of the Tannaka reconstruction theorem.