Alternating sign matrices and polytopes

This thesis deals with two types of mathematical objects: alternating sign matrices and polytopes. Alternating sign matrices were first defined in 1982 by Mills, Robbins and Rumsey. Since then, alternating sign matrices have led to some very captivating research (with multiple open problems still standing), an outline of which is presented in the opening chapter of this thesis. Convex polytopes are extremely relevant when considering enumerations of certain classes of integer valued matrices. An overview of the relevant properties of convex polytopes is presented, before a connection is made between polytopes and alternating sign matrices: the alternating sign matrix polytope. The vertex set of this new polytope is given, as well as a generalization of standard alternating sign matrices to give higher spin alternating sign matrices. From a result of Ehrhart a result concerning the enumeration of these matrices is obtained, namely, that for fixed size and variable line sum the enumeration is given by a particular polynomial. In Chapter 4, we give results concerning the symmetry classes of the alternating sign matrix polytope and in Chapter 3 we study symmetry classes of the Birkhoff polytope. For this classical polytope we give some new results. In the penultimate chapter, another polytope is defined that is a valid solution set of the transportation problem and for which a particular set of parameters gives the alternating sign matrix polytope. Importantly the transportation polytope is a subset of this new polytope.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Alternating sign matrices and polytopes

This thesis deals with two types of mathematical objects: alternating sign matrices and polytopes. Alternating sign matrices were first defined in 1982 by Mills, Robbins and Rumsey. Since then, alternating sign matrices have led to some very captivating research (with multiple open problems still standing), an outline of which is presented in the opening chapter of this thesis. Convex polytopes are extremely relevant when considering enumerations of certain classes of integer valued matrices. An overview of the relevant properties of convex polytopes is presented, before a connection is made between polytopes and alternating sign matrices: the alternating sign matrix polytope. The vertex set of this new polytope is given, as well as a generalization of standard alternating sign matrices to give higher spin alternating sign matrices. From a result of Ehrhart a result concerning the enumeration of these matrices is obtained, namely, that for fixed size and variable line sum the enumeration is given by a particular polynomial. In Chapter 4, we give results concerning the symmetry classes of the alternating sign matrix polytope and in Chapter 3 we study symmetry classes of the Birkhoff polytope. For this classical polytope we give some new results. In the penultimate chapter, another polytope is defined that is a valid solution set of the transportation problem and for which a particular set of parameters gives the alternating sign matrix polytope. Importantly the transportation polytope is a subset of this new polytope.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Higher Spin Alternating Sign Matrices

We define a higher spin alternating sign matrix to be an integer-entry square matrix in which, for a nonnegative integer r, all complete row and column sums are r, and all partial row and column sums extending from each end of the row or column are nonnegative. Such matrices correspond to configurations of spin r/2 statistical mechanical vertex models with domain-wall boundary conditions. The case r=1 gives standard alternating sign matrices, while the case in which all matrix entries are nonnegative gives semimagic squares. We show that the higher spin alternating sign matrices of size n are the integer points of the r-th dilate of an integral convex polytope of dimension (n-1)^2 whose vertices are the standard alternating sign matrices of size n. It then follows that, for fixed n, these matrices are enumerated by an Ehrhart polynomial in r.Comment: 41 pages; v2: minor change

Alternating sign matrices and polytopes

This thesis deals with two types of mathematical objects: alternating sign matrices and polytopes. Alternating sign matrices were first defined in 1982 by Mills, Robbins and Rumsey. Since then, alternating sign matrices have led to some very captivating research (with multiple open problems still standing), an outline of which is presented in the opening chapter of this thesis. Convex polytopes are extremely relevant when considering enumerations of certain classes of integer valued matrices. An overview of the relevant properties of convex polytopes is presented, before a connection is made between polytopes and alternating sign matrices: the alternating sign matrix polytope. The vertex set of this new polytope is given, as well as a generalization of standard alternating sign matrices to give higher spin alternating sign matrices. From a result of Ehrhart a result concerning the enumeration of these matrices is obtained, namely, that for fixed size and variable line sum the enumeration is given by a particular polynomial. In Chapter 4, we give results concerning the symmetry classes of the alternating sign matrix polytope and in Chapter 3 we study symmetry classes of the Birkhoff polytope. For this classical polytope we give some new results. In the penultimate chapter, another polytope is defined that is a valid solution set of the transportation problem and for which a particular set of parameters gives the alternating sign matrix polytope. Importantly the transportation polytope is a subset of this new polytope

Sign Matrix Polytopes

Motivated by the study of polytopes formed as the convex hull of permutation matrices and alternating sign matrices, several new families of polytopes are defined as convex hulls of sign matrices, which are certain {0,1,-1}--matrices in bijection with semistandard Young tableaux. This bijection is refined to include standard Young tableau of certain shapes. One such shape is counted by the Catalan numbers, and the convex hull of these standard Young tableaux form a Catalan polytope. This Catalan polytope is shown to be integrally equivalent to the order polytope of the triangular poset: therefore the Ehrhart polynomial and volume can be combinatorial interpreted. Various properties of all of these polytope families are investigated, including their inequality descriptions, vertices, facets, and face lattices, as well as connections to alternating sign matrix polytopes, and transportation polytopes

Higher spin alternating sign matrices

We define a higher spin alternating sign matrix to be an integer-entry square matrix in which, for a nonnegative integer r, all complete row and column sums are r, and all partial row and column sums extending from each end of the row or column are nonnegative. Such matrices correspond to configurations of spin r/2 statistical mechanical vertex models with domain-wall boundary conditions. The case r=1 gives standard alternating sign matrices, while the case in which all matrix entries are nonnegative gives semimagic squares. We show that the higher spin alternating sign matrices of size n are the integer points of the r-th dilate of an integral convex polytope of dimension (n-1)^2 whose vertices are the standard alternating sign matrices of size n. It then follows that, for fixed n, these matrices are enumerated by an Ehrhart polynomial in r