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We introduce the nil-Brauer category and prove a basis theorem for its morphism spaces. This basis theorem is an essential ingredient required to prove that nil-Brauer categorifies the split \imath-quantum group of rank one. As this \imath-quantum group is a basic building block for \imath-quantum groups of higher rank, we expect that the nil-Brauer category will play a central role in future developments related to the categorification of quantum symmetric pairs. 

Abstract We initiate a general approach to the relative braid group symmetries on (universal) quantum groups, arising from quantum symmetric pairs of arbitrary finite types, and their modules. Our approach is built on new intertwining properties of quasi ‐matrices which we develop and braid group symmetries on (Drinfeld double) quantum groups. Explicit formulas for these new symmetries on quantum groups are obtained. We establish a number of fundamental properties for these symmetries on quantum groups, strikingly parallel to their well‐known quantum group counterparts. We apply these symmetries to fully establish rank 1 factorizations of quasi ‐matrices, and this factorization property, in turn, helps to show that the new symmetries satisfy relative braid relations. As a consequence, conjectures of Kolb–Pellegrini and Dobson–Kolb are settled affirmatively. Finally, the above approach allows us to construct compatible relative braid group actions on modules over quantum groups for the first time. 

Abstract Supramolecular chirality typically originates from either chiral molecular building blocks or external chiral stimuli. Generating chirality in achiral systems in the absence of a chiral input, however, is non-trivial and necessitates spontaneous mirror symmetry breaking. Achiral nematic lyotropic chromonic liquid crystals have been reported to break mirror symmetry under strong surface or geometric constraints. Here we describe a previously unrecognised mechanism for creating chiral structures by subjecting the material to a pressure-driven flow in a microfluidic cell. The chirality arises from a periodic double-twist configuration of the liquid crystal and manifests as a striking stripe pattern. We show that the mirror symmetry breaking is triggered at regions of flow-induced biaxial-splay configurations of the director field, which are unstable to small perturbations and evolve into lower energy structures. The simplicity of this unique pathway to mirror symmetry breaking can shed light on the requirements for forming macroscopic chiral structures. 

Supramolecular chirality typically originates from either chiral molecular building blocks or external chiral stimuli. Generating chirality in achiral systems in the absence of a chiral input, however, is non-trivial and necessitates spontaneous mirror symmetry breaking. Achiral nematic lyotropic chromonic liquid crystals have been reported to break mirror symmetry under strong surface or geometric constraints. Here we describe a previously unrecognised mechanism for creating chiral structures by subjecting the material to a pressure-driven flow in a microfluidic cell. The chirality arises from a periodic double-twist configuration of the liquid crystal and manifests as a striking stripe pattern. We show that the mirror symmetry breaking is triggered at regions of flow-induced biaxial-splay configurations of the director field, which are unstable to small perturbations and evolve into lower energy structures. The simplicity of this unique pathway to mirror symmetry breaking can shed light on the requirements for forming macroscopic chiral structures. 

This is the first of our papers on quasi-split affine quantum symmetric pairs $(\stackrel{~<\#comment/>}{\mathbf{U}}\left(\stackrel{^<\#comment/>}{\mathfrak{g}}\right),{\stackrel{~<\#comment/>}{\mathbf{U}}}^{\mathrm{ı<\#comment/>}})$, focusing on the real rank one case, i.e., $\mathfrak{g}={\mathfrak{s}\mathfrak{l}}_3$equipped with a diagram involution. We construct explicitly a relative braid group action of type $A_2^{\left(2\right)}$on the affine $\mathrm{ı<\#comment/>}$quantum group ${\stackrel{~<\#comment/>}{\mathbf{U}}}^{\mathrm{ı<\#comment/>}}$. Real and imaginary root vectors for ${\stackrel{~<\#comment/>}{\mathbf{U}}}^{\mathrm{ı<\#comment/>}}$are constructed, and a Drinfeld type presentation of ${\stackrel{~<\#comment/>}{\mathbf{U}}}^{\mathrm{ı<\#comment/>}}$is then established. This provides a new basic ingredient for the Drinfeld type presentation of higher rank quasi-split affine $\mathrm{ı<\#comment/>}$quantum groups in the sequels. 

The ı \imath Hall algebra of the projective line is by definition the twisted semi-derived Ringel-Hall algebra of the category of 1 1 -periodic complexes of coherent sheaves on the projective line. This ı \imath Hall algebra is shown to realize the universal q q -Onsager algebra (i.e., ı \imath quantum group of split affine A 1 A_1 type) in its Drinfeld type presentation. The ı \imath Hall algebra of the Kronecker quiver was known earlier to realize the same algebra in its Serre type presentation. We then establish a derived equivalence which induces an isomorphism of these two ı \imath Hall algebras, explaining the isomorphism of the q q -Onsager algebra under the two presentations.