A sagbi basis for the quantum Grassmannian

The maximal minors of a p by (m + p) matrix of univariate polynomials of degree n with indeterminate coefficients are themselves polynomials of degree np. The subalgebra generated by their coefficients is the coordinate ring of the quantum Grassmannian, a singular compactification of the space of rational curves of degree np in the Grassmannian of p-planes in (m + p)-space. These subalgebra generators are shown to form a sagbi basis. The resulting flat deformation from the quantum Grassmannian to a toric variety gives a new `Gr\"obner basis style' proof of the Ravi-Rosenthal-Wang formulas in quantum Schubert calculus. The coordinate ring of the quantum Grassmannian is an algebra with straightening law, which is normal, Cohen-Macaulay, Gorenstein and Koszul, and the ideal of quantum Pl\"ucker relations has a quadratic Gr\"obner basis. This holds more generally for skew quantum Schubert varieties. These results are well-known for the classical Schubert varieties (n=0). We also show that the row-consecutive p by p-minors of a generic matrix form a sagbi basis and we give a quadratic Gr\"obner basis for their algebraic relations.Comment: 18 pages, 3 eps figure, uses epsf.sty. Dedicated to the memory of Gian-Carlo Rot

Whitney algebras and Grassmann's regressive products

Geometric products on tensor powers $\Lambda(V)^{\otimes m}$ of an exterior algebra and on Whitney algebras \cite{crasch} provide a rigorous version of Grassmann's {\it regressive products} of 1844 \cite{gra1}. We study geometric products and their relations with other classical operators on exterior algebras, such as the Hodge $\ast-$operators and the {\it join} and {\it meet} products in Cayley-Grassmann algebras \cite{BBR, Stew}. We establish encodings of tensor powers $\Lambda(V)^{\otimes m}$ and of Whitney algebras $W^m(M)$ in terms of letterplace algebras and of their geometric products in terms of divided powers of polarization operators. We use these encodings to provide simple proofs of the Crapo and Schmitt exchange relations in Whitney algebras and of two typical classes of identities in Cayley-Grassmann algebras

The Dotted straightening algorithm

AbstractIf a homogeneous bracket polynomial is antisymmetric in certain subsets of its points, then it can be represented in an abbreviated form called a dotted bracket expression. These dotted bracket expressions lead to a more compact expression in terms of tableaux than the usual representation. Consequently, we can derive a much more efficient straightening algorithm than the ordinary one for bracket polynomials already given in dotted form. This dotted straightening algorithm gives precisely the same result as the ordinary one, and preserves the dotted property at every step

The role of bideterminants in the representation theory

nuloThis paper provides a brief survey discussing the role of bideterminants in the representation theory

Algebraic aspects of increasing subsequences

We present a number of results relating partial Cauchy-Littlewood sums, integrals over the compact classical groups, and increasing subsequences of permutations. These include: integral formulae for the distribution of the longest increasing subsequence of a random involution with constrained number of fixed points; new formulae for partial Cauchy-Littlewood sums, as well as new proofs of old formulae; relations of these expressions to orthogonal polynomials on the unit circle; and explicit bases for invariant spaces of the classical groups, together with appropriate generalizations of the straightening algorithm.Comment: LaTeX+amsmath+eepic; 52 pages. Expanded introduction, new references, other minor change

A Combinatorial Derivation of the Racah-Speiser Algorithm for Gromov-Witten invariants

Using a finite-dimensional Clifford algebra a new combinatorial product formula for the small quantum cohomology ring of the complex Grassmannian is presented. In particular, Gromov-Witten invariants can be expressed through certain elements in the Clifford algebra, this leads to a q-deformation of the Racah-Speiser algorithm allowing for their computation in terms of Kostka numbers. The second main result is a simple and explicit combinatorial formula for projecting product expansions in the quantum cohomology ring onto the sl(n) Verlinde algebra. This projection is non-trivial and amounts to an identity between numbers of rational curves intersecting Schubert varieties and dimensions of moduli spaces of generalised theta-functions.Comment: 24 pages, 3 figure

Pfaffians and Representations of the Symmetric Group

Pfaffians of matrices with entries z[i,j]/(x\_i+x\_j), or determinants of matrices with entries z[i,j]/(x\_i-x\_j), where the antisymmetrical indeterminates z[i,j] satisfy the Pl\"ucker relations, can be identified with a trace in an irreducible representation of a product of two symmetric groups. Using Young's orthogonal bases, one can write explicit expressions of such Pfaffians and determinants, and recover in particular the evaluation of Pfaffians which appeared in the recent literature.Comment: 28