A note on modules over the quantum torus

Abstract

The $n$-dimensional quantum torus $\Lambda$ is defined to be the $F$-algebra generated by variables $y_1, \cdots, y_n$ with the relations $y_iy_j = q_{ij}y_jy_i$ where $q_{ij}$ are suitable scalars from the base field. This algebra is also the twisted group algebra of the free abelian group $A$ on $n$ generators. Each subgroup of corresponds to a sub-algebra of the quanutm torus. $A$ may contain non-trivial subgroups $B$ so that the corresponding sub-algebra is commutative. In this paper we show that whenever the quantum torus $\Lambda$ has center $F$, a $\Lambda$ module $M$ that is finitely generated over such a commutative sub-algebra $U$ is necessarily torsion-free over $U$ and has finite length. We also show that $M$ has finite length. We also apply tbis result to modules over infinite nilpotent groups of class 2.