Topological representations of the quantum groupU q(sl 2)

We define a topological action of the quantum groupU _q(sl ₂) on a space of homology cycles with twisted coefficients on the configuration space of the punctured disc. This action commutes with the monodromy action of the braid groupoid, which is given by theR-matrix ofU _q(sl ₂).Currently visiting the Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA. Supported in part by the NSF under Grant No. PHY89-04035, supplemented by funds from the NASA