Categorification of the adjoint action of quantum groups

Abstract

Let $U$ be a quantized enveloping algebra. We consider the adjoint action of an $\mathfrak{sl}_2$-subalgebra of $U$ on a subalgebra of $U^+$ that is maximal integrable for this action. We categorify this representation in the context of quiver Hecke algebras. We obtain an action of the 2-category associated with $\mathfrak{sl}_2$ on a category of modules over certain quotients of quiver Hecke algebras. Our approach is similar to that of Kang-Kashiwara for categorifications of highest weight modules via cyclotomic quiver Hecke algebras. One of the main new features is a compatibility of the categorical action with the monoidal structure, categorifying the notion of derivation on an algebra. As an application of some of our results, we categorify the higher order quantum Serre relations, extending results of Sto\v{s}i\'{c} to the non simply-laced case.