Cluster algebras and representation theory

We apply the new theory of cluster algebras of Fomin and Zelevinsky to study some combinatorial problems arising in Lie theory. This is joint work with Geiss and Schr\"oer (3, 4, 5, 6), and with Hernandez (8, 9)

Cluster algebras in algebraic Lie theory

We survey some recent constructions of cluster algebra structures on coordinate rings of unipotent subgroups and unipotent cells of Kac-Moody groups. We also review a quantized version of these results.Comment: Invited survey; to appear in Transformation Group

Kac-Moody groups and cluster algebras

Let Q be a finite quiver without oriented cycles, let \Lambda be the associated preprojective algebra, let g be the associated Kac-Moody Lie algebra with Weyl group W, and let n be the positive part of g. For each Weyl group element w, a subcategory C_w of mod(\Lambda) was introduced by Buan, Iyama, Reiten and Scott. It is known that C_w is a Frobenius category and that its stable category is a Calabi-Yau category of dimension two. We show that C_w yields a cluster algebra structure on the coordinate ring \CC[N(w)] of the unipotent group N(w) := N \cap (w^{-1}N_-w). Here N is the pro-unipotent pro-group with Lie algebra the completion of n. One can identify \CC[N(w)] with a subalgebra of the graded dual of the universal enveloping algebra U(n) of n. Let S^* be the dual of Lusztig's semicanonical basis S of U(n). We show that all cluster monomials of \CC[N(w)] belong to S^*, and that S^* \cap \CC[N(w)] is a basis of \CC[N(w)]. Moreover, we show that the cluster algebra obtained from \CC[N(w)] by formally inverting the generators of the coefficient ring is isomorphic to the algebra \CC[N^w] of regular functions on the unipotent cell N^w := N \cap (B_-wB_-) of the Kac-Moody group G with Lie algebra g. We obtain a corresponding dual semicanonical basis of \CC[N^w]. As one application we obtain a basis for each acyclic cluster algebra, which contains all cluster monomials in a natural way.Comment: 85 pages. This paper removes the assumption of adaptability of a Weyl group element, which was needed in our preprint "Cluster algebra structures and semicanoncial bases for unipotent groups", arXiv:math/0703039. v2: We corrected several typos and reorganized some Sections. v3: New section 2.8, section 13.1 improved, several small corrections. To appear in Adv. Mat

A quantum cluster algebra of Kronecker type and the dual canonical basis

The article concerns the dual of Lusztig's canonical basis of a subalgebra of the positive part U_q(n) of the universal enveloping algebra of a Kac-Moody Lie algebra of type A_1^{(1)}. The examined subalgebra is associated with a terminal module M over the path algebra of the Kronecker quiver via an Weyl group element w of length four. Geiss-Leclerc-Schroeer attached to M a category C_M of nilpotent modules over the preprojective algebra of the Kronecker quiver together with an acyclic cluster algebra A(C_M). The dual semicanonical basis contains all cluster monomials. By construction, the cluster algebra A(C_M) is a subalgebra of the graded dual of the (non-quantized) universal enveloping algebra U(n). We transfer to the quantized setup. Following Lusztig we attach to w a subalgebra U_q^+(w) of U_q(n). The subalgebra is generated by four elements that satisfy straightening relations; it degenerates to a commutative algebra in the classical limit q=1. The algebra U_q^+(w) possesses four bases, a PBW basis, a canonical basis, and their duals. We prove recursions for dual canonical basis elements. The recursions imply that every cluster variable in A(C_M) is the specialization of the dual of an appropriate canonical basis element. Therefore, U_q^+(w) is a quantum cluster algebra in the sense of Berenstein-Zelevinsky. Furthermore, we give explicit formulae for the quantized cluster variables and for expansions of products of dual canonical basis elements.Comment: 32 page

Quantum Unipotent Subgroup and dual canonical basis

Geiss-Leclerc-Schroer defined the cluster algebra structure on the coordinate ring $C[N(w)]$ of the unipotent subgroup, associated with a Weyl group element $w$ and they proved cluster monomials are contained in Lusztig's dual semicanonical basis $S^{*}$. We give a set up for the quantization of their results and propose a conjecture which relates the quantum cluster algebras to the dual canonical basis ${B}^{up}$. In particular, we prove that the quantum analogue $O_{q}[N(w)]$ of ${C}[N(w)]$ has the induced basis from ${B}^{up}$, which contains quantum flag minors and satisfies a factorization property with respect to the `$q$-center' of $O_{q}[N(w)]$. This generalizes Caldero's results from ADE cases to an arbitary symmetrizable Kac-Moody Lie algebra.Comment: 41 page

Partial flag varieties and preprojective algebras

Let L be a preprojective algebra of Dynkin type, and let G be the corresponding complex semisimple simply connected algebraic group. We study rigid modules in subcategories sub(Q) for Q an injective L-module, and we introduce a mutation operation between complete rigid modules in sub(Q). This yields cluster algebra structures on the coordinate rings of the partial flag varieties attached to G.Comment: 42 pages, 12 figures, 4 tables. Version 3 : minor corrections and one reference added. Final version to appear in Annales de l'Institut Fourie

Semicanonical bases and preprojective algebras

We study the multiplicative properties of the dual of Lusztig's semicanonical basis.The elements of this basis are naturally indexed by theirreducible components of Lusztig's nilpotent varieties, whichcan be interpreted as varieties of modules over preprojective algebras.We prove that the product of two dual semicanonical basis vectorsis again a dual semicanonical basis vector provided the closure ofthe direct sum of thecorresponding two irreducible components is again an irreducible component.It follows that the semicanonical basis and the canonical basiscoincide if and only if we are in Dynkin type $A_n$ with $n \leq 4$.Finally, we provide a detailed study of the varieties of modules over the preprojectivealgebra of type $A_5$.We show that in this case the multiplicative properties ofthe dual semicanonical basis are controlled by the Ringel form of a certain tubular algebra of type (6,3,2) and by thecorresponding elliptic root system of type $E_8^{(1,1)}$.Comment: Minor corrections. Final version to appear in Annales Scientifiques de l'EN

Auslander algebras and initial seeds for cluster algebras

Let $Q$ be a Dynkin quiver and $\Pi$ the corresponding set of positive roots. For the preprojective algebra $\Lambda$ associated to $Q$ we produce a rigid $\Lambda$-module $I_Q$ with $r=|\Pi|$ pairwise non-isomorphic indecomposable direct summands by pushing the injective modules of the Auslander algebra of $kQ$ to $\Lambda$. If $N$ is a maximal unipotent subgroup of a complex simply connected simple Lie group of type $|Q|$, then the coordinate ring $C[N]$ is an upper cluster algebra. We show that the elements of the dual semicanonical basis which correspond to the indecomposable direct summands of $I_Q$ coincide with certain generalized minors which form an initial cluster for $C[N]$, and that the corresponding exchange matrix of this cluster can be read from the Gabriel quiver of $End_{\Lambda}(I_Q)$. Finally, we exploit the fact that the categories of injective modules over $\Lambda$ and over its covering $\tilde{\Lambda}$ are triangulated in order to show several interesting identities in the respective stable module categories.Comment: 23 pages, Version 2: Reference [7] corrected+update