Quadratic Algebras

Book excerpt: This book introduces recent developments in the study of algebras defined by quadratic relations. One of the main problems in the study of these (and similarly defined) algebras is how to control their size. A central notion in solving this problem is the notion of a Koszul algebra, which was introduced in 1970 by S. Priddy and then appeared in many areas of mathematics, such as algebraic geometry, representation theory, non commutative geometry, $K$-theory, number theory, and non commutative linear algebra.The authors give a coherent exposition of the theory of quadratic and Koszul algebras, including various definitions of Koszulness, duality theory, Poincare-Birkhoff-Witt-type theorems for Koszul algebras, and the Koszul deformation principle. In the concluding chapter of the book, they explain a surprising connection between Koszul algebras and one-dependent discrete-time stochastic processes. The book can be used by graduate students and researchers working in algebra and any of the above-mentioned areas of mathematics.