Geometry of Yang-Baxter matrix equations over finite fields

Abstract

Let $A$ be a $2\times 2$ matrix over a finite field and consider the Yang-Baxter matrix equation $XAX=AXA$ with respect to $A$. We use a method of computational ideal theory to explore the geometric structure of the affine variety of all solutions to this equation. In particular, we exhibit all solutions explicitly and determine cardinality formulas for these varieties.

17 pages and to appear in Experimental Mathematics