Extensions and duality

Abstract

For a fixed finite group $Q$ and semi-simple finite dimensional algebra $S$, we examine an equivalence between strongly $Q$-graded algebras (extensions) with identity component $S$ and $S^1$-gerbes on action groupoids of $Q$ on the set of isomorphism classes of simple objects of the category of $S$-modules. This clarifies the nature of the map considered in arXiv:1312.7316. Motivated by this and arXiv:0909.3140(2) we suggest and study a notion of extensions suitable to the case when $S$ is replaced by a Hopf algebra, in the sense that there is a bijection between extensions with "fiber" $H$ and $H^*$. In particular we focus on the case of $H$ equal to the group algebra of a finite group. When $K$ is abelian, the answer is particularly symmetric as duality of Hopf algebras does not take us outside of the category of groups.