2021/06/09 by Pravin Bhandari, Bhandari, Pravin, Miguel Córdoba +5
Mathematics · #Advanced Topics in Algebra #FOS: Mathematics #Homotopy and Cohomology in Algebraic Topology #Rings and Algebras (math.RA) #Rings, Modules, and Algebras
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2106.05149
openalex publication_date 2021/06/09 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Cycle sets are algebraic structures introduced by Rump to study set theoretic solutions to the Yang-Baxter equation. While studying cycle sets Rump also introduced braces, which have since overtaken cycle sets as a tool for studying solutions. This survey paper is primarily an introduction to cycle sets, motivating their study and relating them to key results of brace theory and Yang-Baxter theory. It is aimed at anyone from those already very familiar with braces but less familiar with cycle sets, to those with only a basic level of background in ring theory and group theory. We introduce cycle sets following Rump's original results - giving more detailed, easy to follow versions of his proofs - and then relate them back to left braces. We also go on to discuss interesting constructions of cycle sets which do not necessarily correspond directly to braces.