Michael Penkava

DEFORMATION THEORY OF INFINITY ALGEBRAS

Abstract This work explores the deformation theory of algebraic structures in a very general setting. These structures include associative algebras, Lie algebras, and the infinity versions of these structures, the strongly homotopy associative and Lie algebras. In all these cases the algebraic structure is determined by an element of a certain graded Lie algebra which determines a differential on the Lie algebra. We work out the deformation theory in terms of the Lie algebra of coderivations of an appropriate coalgebra structure and construct a universal infinitesimal deformation as well as a miniversal formal deformation. By working at this level of generality, the main ideas involved in deformation theory stand out more clearly.

DEFORMATIONS OF FOUR-DIMENSIONAL LIE ALGEBRAS

We study the moduli space of four dimensional ordinary Lie algebras, and their versal deformations. Their classification is well known; our focus in this paper is on the deformations, which yield a picture of how the moduli space is assembled. Surprisingly, we get a nice geometric description of this moduli space essentially as an orbifold, with just a few exceptional points.

VERSAL DEFORMATIONS OF THREE DIMENSIONAL LIE ALGEBRAS AS L∞ ALGEBRAS

We consider versal deformations of 0|3-dimensional L∞ algebras, also called strongly homotopy Lie algebras, which correspond precisely to ordinary (non-graded) three-dimensional Lie algebras. The classification of such algebras is well-known, although we shall give a derivation of this classification using an approach of treating them as L∞ algebras. Because the symmetric algebra of a three-dimensional odd vector space contains terms only of exterior degree less than or equal to three, the construction of versal deformations can be carried out completely. We give a characterization of the moduli space of Lie algebras using deformation theory as a guide to understanding the picture.

Formal Deformations, Contractions and Moduli Spaces of Lie Algebras

Abstract Jump deformations and contractions of Lie algebras are inverse concepts, but the approaches to their computations are quite different. In this paper, we contrast the two approaches, showing how to compute the jump deformations from the miniversal deformation of a Lie algebra, and thus arrive at the contractions. We also compute contractions directly. We use the moduli spaces of real 3-dimensional and complex 3 and 4-dimensional Lie algebras as models for explaining a deformation theory approach to computation of contractions.

The Moduli Space of 3-Dimensional Associative Algebras

In this article, we give a classification of the 3-dimensional associative algebras over the complex numbers, including a construction of the moduli space, using versal deformations to determine how the space is glued together.

Extensions of associative algebras

In this paper, we translate the problem of extending an associative algebra by another associative algebra into the language of codifferentials. The authors have been constructing moduli spaces of algebras and studying their structure by constructing their versal deformations. The codifferential language is very useful for this purpose. The goal of this paper is to express the classical results about extensions in a form which leads to a simpler construction of moduli spaces of low-dimensional algebras.

EXTENSIONS OF (SUPER) LIE ALGEBRAS

In this paper, we give a purely cohomological interpretation of the extension problem for (super) Lie algebras; that is the problem of extending a Lie algebra by another Lie algebra. We then give a similar interpretation of infinitesimal deformations of extensions. In particular, we consider infinitesimal deformations of representations of a Lie algebra.

HOCHSCHILD COHOMOLOGY OF POLYNOMIAL ALGEBRAS

In this paper we investigate the Hochschild cohomology groups H2(A) and H3(A) for an arbitrary polynomial algebra A. We also show that the corresponding cohomology groups which are built from differential operators inject in H2(A) and H3(A) and we give an application to deformation theory.

Examples of miniversal deformations of infinity algebras

Abstract A classical problem in algebraic deformation theory is whether an infinitesimal deformation can be extended to a formal deformation. The answer to this question is usually given in terms of Massey powers. If all Massey powers of the cohomology class determined by the infinitesimal deformation vanish, then the deformation extends to a formal one. We consider another approach to this problem, by constructing a miniversal deformation of the algebra. One advantage of this approach is that it answers not only the question of existence, but gives a construction of an extension as well.

THE MODULI SPACE OF 1|1-DIMENSIONAL COMPLEX ASSOCIATIVE ALGEBRAS

In this paper, we study the moduli space of