Christian Kassel - Böcker

As central objects in knot theory and 3-dimensional topology, braid groups has led to the creation of a new field called quantum topology.In this well-written presentation, motivated by numerous examples and problems, the authors introduce the basic theory of braid groups, highlighting several definitions that show their equivalence;

Here is an introduction to the theory of quantum groups with emphasis on the spectacular connections with knot theory and Drinfeld's recent fundamental contributions. It presents the quantum groups attached to SL2 as well as the basic concepts of the theory of Hopf algebras. Coverage also focuses on Hopf algebras that produce solutions of the Yang-Baxter equation and provides an account of Drinfeld's elegant treatment of the monodromy of the Knizhnik-Zamolodchikov equations.

Braids and braid groups, the focus of this text, have been at the heart of important mathematical developments over the last two decades. Their association with permutations has led to their presence in a number of mathematical fields and physics. As central objects in knot theory and 3-dimensional topology, braid groups has led to the creation of a new field called quantum topology.In this well-written presentation, motivated by numerous examples and problems, the authors introduce the basic theory of braid groups, highlighting several definitions that show their equivalence; this is followed by a treatment of the relationship between braids, knots and links. Important results then treat the linearity and orderability of the subject. Relevant additional material is included in five large appendices.Braid Groups will serve graduate students and a number of mathematicians coming from diverse disciplines.