Quantum Clifford algebras from spinor representations

A general theory of quantum Clifford algebras is presented, based on a quantum generalization of the Cartan theory of spinors. We concentrate on the case when it is possible to apply the quantum-group formalism of bicovariant bimodules. The general theory is then singularized to the quantum SL(n,C) group case, to generate explicit forms for the whole class of braidings required. The corresponding spinor representations are introduced and investigated. Starting from our Clifford algebras we introduce the quantum-Euclidean underlying spaces compatible with different choices of *-structures from where the analogues of Dirac and Laplace operators are built. Using the formalism developed, quantum Spin(n) groups are defined. (C) 1996 American Institute of Physics.