On double quantum affinization: 1. Type $\mathfrak a_1$

Abstract

We define the double quantum affinization $\ddot{\mathrm{U}}_q(\mathfrak a_1)$ of type $\mathfrak{a}_1$ as a topological Hopf algebra. We prove that it admits a subalgebra $\ddot{\mathrm{U}}_q'(\mathfrak a_1)$ whose completion is (bicontinuously) isomorphic to the completion of the quantum toroidal algebra $\dot{\mathrm{U}}_q(\dot{\mathfrak a}_1)$, defined as the (simple) quantum affinization of the untwisted affine Kac-Moody Lie algebra $\dot{\mathfrak{sl}}_2$ of type $\dot{\mathfrak a}_1$, equipped with a certain topology inherited from its natural $\mathbb Z$-grading. The isomorphism is constructed by means of a bicontinuous action by automorphisms of an affinized version $\ddot{\mathfrak B}$ -- technically a split extension $\ddot{\mathfrak B} \cong \dot{\mathfrak B} \ltimes P^\vee$ by the coweight lattice $P^\vee$ -- of the affine braid group $\dot{\mathfrak B}$ of type $\dot{\mathfrak a}_1$ on that completion of $\dot{\mathrm{U}}_q(\dot{\mathfrak a}_1)$. It can be regarded as an affinized version of the Damiani-Beck isomorphism, familiar from the quantum affine setting. We eventually prove the corresponding triangular decomposition of $\ddot{\mathrm{U}}_q(\mathfrak a_1)$ and briefly discuss the consequences regarding the representation theory of quantum toroidal algebras.