Algebraic approach in unifying quantum integrable models

A novel algebra underlying integrable systems is shown to generate and unify a large class of quantum integrable models with given $R$-matrix, through reductions of an ancestor Lax operator and its different realizations. Along with known discrete and field models a new class of inhomogeneous and impurity models are obtained.Comment: Revtex, 6 pages, no figure, revised version to be published in Phys. Rev. Lett., 199