Yang-Baxter Equation and Quantum Enveloping Algebras

Book excerpt: This is the first-ever textbook on the Yang-Baxter equation. A key nonlinear equation for solving two important models in many-body statistical theory - the many-body problem in one dimension with repulsive delta-function interaction presented by Professor Baxter in 1972 - it has become one of the main concerns of physicists and mathematicians in the last ten years. A textbook on this subject which also serves as a reference book is vital for an equation which plays important roles in diverse areas of physics and mathematics like the completely integrable statistical models, conformal field theories, topological field theories, the theory of braid groups, the theory of knots and links, etc. This book arose from lectures given by the author in an attempt to reformulate the results of the rapidly developing research and make the material more accessible. It explains the presentation of the Yang-Baxter equation from statistical models, and expound systematically the meaning and methods of solving for this equation. From the viewpoint of theoretical physics it aims to develop an intuitive understanding of the fundamental knowledge of the Hopf algebras, quantization of Lie bialgebras, and the quantum enveloping algebras, and places emphasis on the introduction of the calculation skill in terms of the physical language.