Quantum groups via cyclic quiver varieties I

Abstract: We construct the quantized enveloping algebra of any simple Lie algebra of type ADE as the quotient of a Grothendieck ring arising from certain cyclic quiver varieties. In particular, the dual canonical basis of a one-half quantum group with respect to Lusztig's bilinear form is contained in the natural basis of the Grothendieck ring up to rescaling. This paper expands the categorification established by Hernandez and Leclerc to the whole quantum groups. It can be viewed as a geometric counterpart of Bridgeland's recent work for type ADE.