Gerstenhaber brackets for skew group algebras in positive characteristic

Abstract: The deformation theory of an algebra is controlled by the Gerstenhaber bracket, a Lie bracket on Hochschild cohomology. We develop techniques for evaluating Gerstenhaber brackets of semidirect product algebras recording actions of finite groups over fields of positive characteristic. The Hochschild cohomology and Gerstenhaber bracket of these skew group algebras can be complicated when the characteristic of the underlying field divides the group order. We show how to investigate Gerstenhaber brackets using twisted product resolutions, which are often smaller and more convenient than the cumbersome bar resolution typically used. These resolutions provide a concrete description of the Gerstenhaber bracket suitable for exploring questions in deformation theory. We demonstrate with the prototypical example of a graded Hecke algebra (rational Cherednik algebra) in positive characteristic.