In this thesis we review some aspects of Yang-Baxter deformations of semi-symmetric space sigma models. We start by giving a short review of the sigma model description of superstrings and then we offer a self contained introduction to the Yang-Baxter deformation technique. We then show how to obtain an integrable deformation of the hybrid sigma model. Also, we show that the gravity dual of beta-deformed ABJM theory can be obtained as a Yang-Baxter deformation. This is done by selecting a convenient combination of Cartan generators in order to construct an Abelian r-matrix satisfying the classical Yang-Baxter equation. / Nesta tese revisamos alguns aspectos das deformações de Yang-Baxter de modelos sigma em espaços semi-simétricos. Damos uma breve revisão do modelo sigma de supercordas e, em seguida, oferecemos uma introdução ao método de deformação de Yang-Baxter. Em seguida, mostramos como obter uma deformação integrável do modelo sigma híbrido. Além disso, mostramos que o dual gravitacional da teoria ABJM beta-deformada pode ser obtida como uma deformação de Yang-Baxter. Isso é feito selecionando-se uma combinação conveniente de geradores de Cartan para construir uma matriz r Abeliana satisfazendo a equação clássica de Yang-Baxter.

On s’intéresse dans cette thèse aux rapports qui existent entre deux invariants d’entrelacs. D’une part l’invariant d’Alexander ∆ qui est l’invariant de nœuds le plus classique, et le plus étudié avec le polynôme de Jones, et d’autre part la famille des invariants de Links-Gould LGn,m qui sont des invariants quantiques dérivés des super algèbres de Hopf Uqgl(n|m). On démontre en particulier un cas de la conjecture de De Wit-Ishii-Links : certaines spécialisa- tions des polynômes de Links-Gould fournissent des puissances du polynôme d’Alexander. Les polynômes LG sont donc des généralisations du polynôme d’Alexander. On conjecture de plus que ces invariants conservent certaines propriétés homologiques bien connues de ∆ permettant d’évaluer le genre des entrelacs et de tester le caractère fibré des nœuds. / In this thesis we focus on the connections that exist between two link invariants: first the Alexander-Conway invariant ∆ that was the first polynomial link invariant to be discovered, and one of the most thoroughly studied since alongside with the Jones polynomial, and on the other hand the family of Links-Gould invariants LGn,m that are quantum link invariants derived from super Hopf algebras Uqgl(n|m). We prove a case of the De Wit-Ishii-Links conjecture: in some cases we can recover powers of the Alexander polynomial as evaluations of the Links-Gould invariants. So the LG polynomials are generalizations of the Alexander invariant. Moreover we give evidence that these invariants should still have some of the most remarkable properties of the Alexander polynomial: they seem to offer a lower bound for the genus of links and a criterion for fiberedness of knots.

Dans ce travail de thèse, la photoionisation en couche K d’ions multichargés a été étudiée ainsi que la photoionisation en couche de valence d’ions atomiques et de petits ions moléculaires. Les sections efficaces de photoionisation en couche K ont été mesurées pour les ions de la série iso-nucléaire de l’azote, de N+ à N4+, en utilisant le montage de faisceaux ion-photon colinéaires, et la photoionisation en couche de valence des ions Xe+ et Kr+ et des petits ions moléculaires CO2+ et N2+ en utilisant à la fois la technique de faisceaux colinéaires et un piége à ions . Toutes les expériences ont utilisé le rayonnement synchrotron émis par l’anneau de stockage SOLEIL à Saint-Aubin, France. La combinaison des deux techniques permet la mesure sur une échelle absolue des sections efficaces de photoionisation des ions dans l'état fondamental pur.Les sections efficaces expérimentales de photoionisation en couche K sont comparées aux résultats théoriques existants utilisant différentes méthodes : Multi-Configuration Dirac–Fock (MCDF), R-matrice et la Constante d’Ecran par Unité de charge Nucléaire (SCUNC). L’interaction entre l’expérience et la théorie a permis l’identification et la caractérisation des résonances 1s→2p et 1s→3p observées dans les spectres. Les sections efficaces expérimentales de photoionisation en couche de valence mesurées pour les ions Xe+ et Kr+ ont été comparées aux résultats de calculs MCDF obtenus pour le processus de photoionisation directe.La qualité des mesures absolues de section efficace utilisant la technique de faisceaux colinéaires est fortement dépendante de la performance de la source d’ions ECR (Electron Cyclotron Resonance). Afin d'améliorer le courant d'ions dans la région d'interaction, différents systèmes d'extraction des ions à deux et trois électrodes ont été simulés en utilisant les programmes ECRopt et IGUN. / In this thesis work, the K-shell photoionization of multi-charged ions has been studied as well as the valence photoionization of atomic and small molecular ions. The K-shell photoionization cross sections were measured for nitrogen iso-nuclear series, from N+ to N4+ ions using the ion–photon merged beam technique and the valence photoionization cross sections for Xe+ and Kr+ ions and the small molecular ions CO_2^+ and N_2^+ using both the merged beam and ion trap techniques at the SOLEIL synchrotron radiation facility in Saint–Aubin, France. Combination of the two techniques allows for the measurement of the pure ground state ionization cross section on an absolute scale.The experimental K-shell photoionization cross sections are compared with theoretical results obtained from the multi-configuration Dirac–Fock (MCDF), R-matrix and the Screening Constant by Unit Nuclear Charge (SCUNC) methods. The interplay between experiment and theory enables the identification and characterization of the strong 1s→2p and 1s→3p resonances observed in the spectra. The experimental valence photoionization cross sections for Xe+ and Kr+ ions are compared with MCDF calculations results obtained for the direct photoionization process. The quality of the absolute cross section measurements using the merged beam techniques is strongly dependent on the performance of Electron Cyclotron Resonance Ion Source (ECRIS). In order to improve the current of ions in the interaction region, the ions extraction system and transport was simulated by using IGUN program and ECRopt.

L’objectif de ce document est de présenter une étude sur la réaction de capture neutronique radiative du noyau instable du ¹⁷³Lu afin de déterminer sa section efficace (n,γ). Si globalement, pour les noyaux stables de nombreuses informations sont à disposition, il reste un véritable manque de données pour les noyaux radioactifs. La première partie de cette thèse se consacre à la présentation des différents formalismes impliqués dans le calcul d’une section efficace ainsi qu’à l’utilisation du code TALYS basé sur ces différents modèles. TALYS nous a permis d’évaluer la section efficace (n,γ) sur le ¹⁷³Lu en s’appuyant sur la connaissance de la réaction de capture sur le ¹⁷⁵Lu. Dans un deuxième temps, la section efficace (n,γ) sur le ¹⁷³Lu a été mesurée sur l’installation LANSCE avec le détecteur 4π DANCE. Cette expérience s’est révélée être un véritable défi tant pour la fabrication de la cible de ¹⁷³Lu que pour l’obtention de données dû à la grande radioactivité de cet isotope. Nous avons pu extraire des informations intéressantes comme le taux de capture total, identifier et caractériser de nouvelles résonances, déterminer des paramètres comme l’espacement moyen, les largeurs neutroniques et les largeurs γ ainsi que la valeur de la fonction densité. Tous ces nouveaux renseignements nous ont permis de reconstruire la section efficace (n,γ) sur le ¹⁷³Lu jusqu’à 200 eV. Grâce à ces différentes informations, nous avons estimé une correction à appliquer sur la section efficace évaluée par TALYS permettant in fine d’obtenir une nouvelle évaluation de cette quantité. La troisième partie de cette thèse est consacrée à apporter des informations supplémentaires sur la réaction ¹⁷³Lu(n,γ)¹⁷⁴Lu en utilisant la méthode de substitution. En premier lieu, nous avons testé la validité de cette méthode sur une réaction connue : ¹⁷⁵Lu(n,γ)¹⁷⁶Lu avec la réaction ¹⁷⁴Yb(³He,p)¹⁷⁶Lu puis dans un second temps nous avons regardé la réaction ¹⁷³Lu(n,γ)¹⁷⁴Lu avec la réaction ¹⁷⁴Yb(³He,t)¹⁷⁴Lu. Pour cela, la probabilité d’émission γ dans ces deux voies a été mesurée et comparée à un calcul TALYS. Cette comparaison a révélé de grandes disparités entre les réactions de transfert utilisées et les réactions induites par des neutrons. Notre investigation s’est alors orientée à regarder de plus près la distribution de spins du noyau composé formé. Celle-ci a pu être extraite grâce à un ajustement de la probabilité d’émission γ mesurée. Cette distribution montre que les réaction (³He,X) peuplent en réalité des spins beaucoup plus grands que ceux issus de la réaction (n,γ). La mesure des rapports des intensités de transitions γ corroborent aussi ce résultat même si les spins peuplés semblent être plus faibles. Cette expérience a mis clairement en évidence qu’une réaction induite par un faisceau d’³He ne pouvait pas se substituer à une réaction (n,γ). Tout au long de ce document, nous avons montré par différents aspects, à quel point il peut être difficile d’obtenir des informations sur les noyaux radioactifs tels que le ¹⁷³Lu et que pour le futur de nombreux défis tant expérimentaux que théoriques sont encore à relever. / This PhD report presents a study of radiative neutron capture reaction of the ¹⁷³Lu to determine the (n,γ) cross section. Contrary to stable nuclei for which a huge amount of data is available, there is a real lack of information for radioactive nuclei. The first part of this PhD focuses on the presentation of different formalisms involved in cross section calculations and on the use of TALYS code based on these models. TALYS allowed us to evaluate the (n,γ) cross section on ¹⁷³Lu with data from the capture reaction on the ¹⁷⁵Lu. In a second step, the (n,γ) cross section on ¹⁷³Lu was measured at the LANSCE facility with the 4π detector DANCE. This experience turned out to be a real challenge for both the target production of ¹⁷³Lu and for obtaining data due to the high radioactivity of this isotope. Interesting informations have been extracted such as the total capture yield, the identification and the characterization of new resonances, the determination of parameters like average spacing, neutron and γ widths and the value of the density function. All these new informations enabled us to reconstruct the (n,γ) cross section on ¹⁷³Lu up to 200 eV. We could then estimate a correction for the cross section evaluated by TALYS in order to obtain a new evaluation. The third part of this PhD deals with getting additionnal information on the ¹⁷³Lu(n,γ)¹⁷⁴Lu reaction by using the surrogate method. Firstly, this technique has been tested on a well-known reaction : ¹⁷⁵Lu(n,γ)¹⁷⁶Lu with the reaction ¹⁷⁴Yb(³He,p)¹⁷⁶Lu. Secondly, we studied the ¹⁷³Lu(n,γ)¹⁷⁴Lu reaction with the ¹⁷⁴Yb(³He,t)¹⁷⁴Lu reaction. The γ decay probability in different ways have been measured and compared with a TALYS calculation. This comparison showed large discrepancies between the transfer reactions and the reactions induced by neutrons. Then our investigation was focused on the spin distribution of the formed compound nucleus. It has been extracted thanks to a fit of the measured γ decay probability. This distribution has shown (³He,X) reactions populate much higher spins than observed in (n,γ) reactions. The measurement of the γ transitions intensities ratios also corroborates this result even if the mean value of the populated spins seem to be lower. This experiment clearly demonstrated a reaction induced by a ³He beam could not to be substituted to a (n,γ) reaction. Throughout this document, we have shown by different aspects on one hand, how it can be difficult to extract information on unstable nuclei such as ¹⁷³Lu and on the other hand that both experimental and theoretical challenges still remain for the future.

Title: Excitation of molecules by cold electrons Author: Miroslav Šulc Department / Institute: Institute of Theoretical Physics, Charles University in Prague Supervisor of the doctoral thesis: prof. RNDr. Jiří Horáček, DrSc., Institute of Theoretical Physics, Charles University Abstract: Several methods for low energy collisional processes are investigated. In the first part, attention is especially devoted to examination of applicability of the R-matrix method combined with the Schwinger-Lanczos (SL) variational principle for potential scattering with long-range forces. Next sections deal with the development of the interaction correlation-polarization (CP) potential in the framework of the Dis- crete Momentum Representation (DMR) method on the grounds of the Local Density Approximation in the Density Functional Theory (DFT) context. Obtained results are then utilized in body-frame (BF), static exchange + polarization (SEP), calcula- tions within an analysis of experimental data for e−-N2 scattering comprising a part of a larger project addressing theoretical examination of rotational excitations of small molecules in the gas phase induced by electron impact. For N2, a new phenomenon consisting in suppression of backward cross-section below 95 meV is observed and con- sequently attributed to...

The structure of exotic nuclei is one of the main interests in current nuclear physics. Exotic nuclei present unusual properties, such as a low breakup energy, a short lifetime and/or a halo structure. Because of their short lifetimes, they can not be studied by usual spectroscopic techniques. Indeed, targets of such nuclei are impossible to build. But since the availability of radioactive beams, nuclear reactions have provided possibilities of exploring nuclei far from stability.<p><p>The investigation of exotic nuclei has been recently reactivated by the development of intense radioactive nuclear beams. As firstly observed for the deuteron, and then for other exotic projectiles such as $^6$He and $^{11}$Be, the internal structures of the interacting nuclei can have a significant effect on the elastic cross sections. Due to their low binding energy, the projectile dissociation process, leaving the target in its ground state, highly affects elastic cross sections but also other measurements such as transfer and fusion reactions. Accurate reaction theories are therefore needed. The coupled discretized-continuum channel (CDCC) method is one of those theories and assumes a projectile made of N clusters (usually N=2 or 3) impinging on a target which is structureless. The N+1-body Schrödinger equation is approximately solved by expanding the total wave function over the bound and continuum states of the projectile. These latter take into account the dissociation events and are approximately described by a truncated set of square-integrable wave functions. There are two available methods for discretizing the continuum, the pseudostate method where the projectile Hamiltonian is diagonalized within a finite basis of square-integrable functions, or the bin method where exact scattering wave functions of the projectile are averaged over bins in a finite region of space. In both cases, the N+1-body Schrödinger equation is replaced by a set of coupled-channel differential equations, which provides the physical quantities such as the collision matrix. In principle, the CDCC method can be very close to the exact N+1-body wave function and is adapted to low as well as to high energy reactions. However, its main interest consists in the low-energy domain.<p><p>In the present work, we propose a new approach to solve the CDCC equations. This method is based on the R-matrix theory associated with a Lagrange mesh basis. We will show that the combination of both approaches provides a fast and accurate technique to solve the CDCC equations, even for large systems, where traditional methods meet convergence problems. Before investigating collisions with exotic projectiles, we restrict ourselves to the simplest nucleus, the deuteron. Then we make a step towards a more complicated system, the $^6$Li which is a well known stable nucleus. We apply the CDCC method to the d + $^{58}$Ni and $^6$Li + $^{40}$Ca elastic scattering and breakup. These systems are considered in the literature as test cases. They have been investigated by several authors who showed the importance of the breakup channels in the elastic cross sections.<p><p>After having validated the present version of the CDCC method, we focus on $^{11}$Be, a typical example of a halo nucleus, with low binding energy and large quadrupole moment. Elastic, inelastic and breakup cross sections are computed in the CDCC formalism, at energies near the Coulomb barrier, where continuum effects in the scattering of exotic nuclei, and more specifically on the $^{11}$Be + $^{64}$Zn scattering, are observed. We show that converged cross sections need high angular momenta as well as large excitation energies in the wave functions of the projectile.<p><p>A Borromean nucleus is made of three constituents which are weakly linked together, but where each pair of those three constituents does not form a bound system. The name "Borromean" comes from the Borromean rings where, if any one of three rings is removed, the remaining two become unbound. Collisions with $^6$He and $^9$Be Borromean projectiles are studied in the present work. Again we compare our method with the $^6$He + $^{208}$Pb and $^6$He + $^{12}$C benchmark calculations. Afterwards, the convergence against the parameters of the description of the $^9$Be projectile is tested for the elastic cross section. The sensitivity to the technique employed to remove the forbidden states and also the sensitivity to the collision energy are investigated. / Doctorat en Sciences de l'ingénieur / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

This work aims at calculating the cross sections for vibrational excitation of the oxygen molecules by collisons with electrons. Potential energy curves are obtained with standard quantum chemistry methods and the R-matrix method with good agreement with measurable molecular properties, the cross sections are calculated within the local complex potential approximation. It was shown that the results obtained with different, but seemingly satisfactory settings can vary by a significant degree. Comparison with experimental data then point out the insufficiency of the local complex potential approximation. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

Thesis (Ph.D.); Submitted to the UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY, CA (US); 9 Dec 2004. / Published through the Information Bridge: DOE Scientific and Technical Information. "LBNL--56744" Guo, Fanqing. USDOE Director. Office of Science. Office of Nuclear Physics (US) 12/09/2004. Report is also available in paper and microfiche from NTIS.

Cette thèse se divise en trois parties qui peuvent être toutes regroupées autour d'une même bannière : l'étude de structures algébriques reliées aux algèbres de type Askey–Wilson. Alors que dans la première partie on s'efforce d'obtenir des interprétations duales (au sens de Howe) de ces algèbres, dans les autres parties on étudie des généralisations de ces algèbres. Des dégénérations de l'algèbre de Sklyanin, générées par des blocs plus fondamentaux que ceux générant les algèbres de type Askey–Wilson, sont étudiées dans la deuxième partie et des généralisations de plus haut rang des algèbres de type Askey–Wilson sont étudiées dans la troisième partie. Dans la première partie, en invoquant la dualité de Howe, deux interprétations duales sont obtenues pour les algèbres de Racah, Bannai–Ito, Askey–Wilson, Higgs, Hahn, \(q\)-Hahn et dual \(-1\) Hahn. La façon dont la dualité de Howe opère est rendue explicite par l'examen de processus de réduction dimensionnelle. Un modèle superintégrable 2D de mécanique quantique superconforme dont l'algèbre de symétrie est celle de type dual \(-1\) Hahn est également introduit et solutionné. Dans la deuxième partie, des algèbres générées par des opérateurs de contiguïté et d'échelle encodant des propriétés de familles de polynômes sont étudiées. Ces opérateurs appartiennent à la classe des opérateurs de Sklyanin–Heun, qui peuvent être définis sur plusieurs grilles diverses. On découvre qu'ils génèrent des dégénérations de l'algèbre de Sklyanin. On démontre que les représentations irréductibles de dimension finie de ces algèbres ont pour base des familles de para-polynômes. Les grilles linéaires, quadratiques, exponentielles et d'Askey–Wilson sont étudiées et mènent respectivement aux polynômes orthogonaux des familles de para-Krawtchouk, para-Racah, \(q\)-para-Krawtchouk et \(q\)-para-Racah. Enfin, la façon dont les polynômes de para-Krawtchouk et d'autres familles de polynômes orthogonaux sont reliées aux représentations tridiagonales du plan de Jordan déformé est présentée. Dans la dernière partie, on explore des généralisations à plus haut rang pour les algèbres de Racah et Askey–Wilson. Pour ce faire, on étudie les réalisations de ces algèbres en termes de Casimirs intermédiaires. Le rôle de la matrice \(R\) tressée est élucidé : celle-ci permet de relier divers Casimirs intermédiaires entre eux par conjugaison. Un isomorphisme entre l'algèbre de skein du crochet de Kauffman de la sphère à 4 trous et l'algèbre engendrée par les Casimir intermédiaires dans \(U_q(\mathfrak{sl}_2)^{\otimes 3}\) est présenté et permet d'interpréter de façon diagrammatique la conjugaison par la matrice \(R\) tressée mentionnée ci-haut. Finalement, une présentation du centralisateur \(Z_n(\mathfrak{sl}_2)\) de \(U(\mathfrak{sl}_2)\) dans \(U(\mathfrak{sl}_2)^{\otimes n}\) par générateurs et relations est obtenue et on montre que ce centralisateur est isomorphe à un quotient (obtenu explicitement) de l'algèbre de Racah de plus haut rang \(R(n)\). / This thesis is divided in three parts which all orbit around the same theme: the study of algebraic structures related to the algebras of Askey–Wilson type. In the first part we obtain two interpretations that are dual in the sense of Howe for the algebras of Askey–Wilson type. Meanwhile, the other two parts are concerned with generalizations of these algebras. In the second part, we study degenerations of the Sklyanin algebra, which are built out of generators that are more fundamental than those of the Askey–Wilson algebra. In the last part, generalizations of the Askey–Wilson type algebras to higher rank are studied. In the first part, dual interpretations are obtained for the Racah, Bannai–Ito, Askey–Wilson, Higgs, Hahn, \(q\)-Higgs and dual \(-1\) Hahn algebras by invoking Howe duality. The way that this Howe duality operates is made explicit through the examination of a dimensional reduction procedure. A 2D superintegrable superconformal quantum mechanics model, whose symmetry algebra is the one of dual \(-1\) Hahn type, is also introduced and solved. In the second part, we study algebras that are generated by contiguity and ladder operators that encode properties of families of orthogonal polynomials. We show that these operators belong to the Sklyanin–Heun class of operators, which can be defined for various grids. We also show how their algebraic relations correspond to those of degenerations of the Sklyanin algebra. Then, we show how various families of para-polynomials support finite-dimensional irreducible representations of these degenerate algebras. From the linear, quadratic, exponential and Askey–Wilson grids, we are respectively led to the para-Krawtchouk, para-Racah, \(q\)-para-Krawtchouk and \(q\)-para-Racah polynomials. Later, we connect the para-Krawtchouk polynomials (and other families of orthogonal polynomials) to tridiagonal representations of the deformed Jordan plane. In the final part, we explore higher rank generalizations of the Racah and Askey–Wilson algebras. To that end, their realizations in terms of intermediate Casimir elements are studied. The role of the braided \(R\)-matrix is understood as follows: it connects various intermediate Casimir elements through conjugation. We obtain an isomorphism between the Kauffman bracket skein algebra of the four-punctured sphere and the algebra generated by the intermediate Casimir elements in \(U_q(\mathfrak{sl}_2)^{\otimes3}\). This leads to a diagrammatic interpretation of the conjugation by the braided \(R\)-matrix mentioned in the above. Lastly, a presentation of the centralizer \(Z_n(\mathfrak{sl}_2)\) of \(U(\mathfrak{sl}_2)\) in \(U(\mathfrak{sl}_2)^{\otimes n}\) by generators and relations is obtained and we show that this centralizer is isomorphic to a quotient (which we provide explicitly) of the higher rank Racah algebra \(R(n)\).

Mémoire par articles. / Ce mémoire contient trois articles reliés par l'idée sous-jacente d'une généralisation de la dualité de Schur-Weyl. L'objectif principal est d'obtenir une description algébrique du centralisateur de l'image de l'action diagonale de U_q(sl_2) dans le produit tensoriel de trois représentations irréductibles, lorsque q n'est pas une racine de l'unité. La relation entre une algèbre de Askey-Wilson étendue AW(3) et ce centralisateur est examinée à cet effet. Dans le premier article, les éléments du centralisateur de l'action de U_q(sl_2) dans son produit tensoriel triple sont définis à l'aide de la matrice R universelle de U_q(sl_2). Il est montré que ces éléments respectent les relations définissantes de AW(3). Dans le deuxième article, la matrice R universelle de la superalgèbre de Lie osp(1|2) est utilisée de manière similaire avec l'algèbre de Bannai-Ito BI(3). Dans ce cas, le formalisme de la matrice R permet de définir l'algèbre de Bannai-Ito de rang supérieur BI(n) comme le centralisateur de l'action de osp(1|2) dans son produit tensoriel n-fois. Le troisième article propose une conjecture qui établit un isomorphisme entre un quotient de AW(3) et le centralisateur de l'image de l'action diagonale de U_q(sl_2) dans le produit tensoriel de trois représentations irréductibles quelconques. La conjecture est prouvée pour plusieurs cas, et les algèbres de Temperley-Lieb, Birman-Murakami-Wenzl et Temperley-Lieb à une frontière sont retrouvées comme quotients de l'algèbre de Askey-Wilson. / This master thesis contains three articles related by the underlying idea of a generalization of the Schur-Weyl duality. The main objective is to obtain an algebraic description of the centralizer of the image of the diagonal action of U_q(sl_2) in the tensor product of three irreducible representations, when q is not a root of unity. The connection between a centrally extended Askey-Wilson algebra AW(3) and this centralizer is examined for this purpose. In the first article, the elements of the centralizer of the action of U_q(sl_2) in its threefold tensor product are defined with the help of the universal R-matrix of U_q(sl_2). These elements are shown to satisfy the defining relations of AW(3). In the second article, the universal R-matrix of the Lie superalgebra osp(1|2) is used in a similar fashion with the Bannai-Ito algebra BI(3). In this case, the formalism of the R-matrix allows to define the higher rank Bannai-Ito algebra BI(n) as the centralizer of the action of osp(1|2) in its n-fold tensor product. The third article proposes a conjecture that establishes an isomorphism between a quotient of AW(3) and the centralizer of the image of the diagonal action of U_q(sl_2) in the tensor product of any three irreducible representations. The conjecture is proved for several cases, and the Temperley-Lieb, Birman-Murakami-Wenzl and one-boundary Temperley-Lieb algebras are recovered as quotients of the Askey-Wilson algebra.