On twisting of finite-dimensional Hopf algebras

In this paper we study the properties of Drinfeld's twisting for finite-dimensional Hopf algebras. We determine how the integral of the dual to a unimodular Hopf algebra H changes under twisting of H. We show that the classes of cosemisimple unimodular, cosemisimple involutive, cosemisimple quasitriangular finite-dimensional Hopf algebras are stable under twisting. We also prove the cosemisimplicity of a coalgebra obtained by twisting of a cosemisimple unimodular Hopf algebra by two different twists on two sides (such twists are closely related to bi-Galois extensions), and describe the representation theory of its dual. Next, we define the notion of a non-degenerate twist for a Hopf algebra H, and set up a bijection between such twists for H and H*. This bijection is based on Miyashita-Ulbrich actions of Hopf algebras on simple algebras. It generalizes to the non-commutative case the procedure of inverting a non-degenerate skew-symmetric bilinear form on a vector space. Finally, we apply these results to classification of twists in group algebras and of cosemisimple triangular finite-dimensional Hopf algebras in positive characteristic, generalizing the previously known classification in characteristic zero. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.