Semiinvariants of Finite Reflection Groups

Let G be a finite group of complex n by n unitary matrices generated by reflections acting on C^n. Let R be the ring of invariant polynomials, and \chi be a multiplicative character of G. Let \Omega^\chi be the R-module of \chi-invariant differential forms. We define a multiplication in \Omega^\chi and show that under this multiplication \Omega^\chi has an exterior algebra structure. We also show how to extend the results to vector fields, and exhibit a relationship between \chi-invariant forms and logarithmic forms.Comment: Paper presented at 1999 Joint Meetings in San Antonio, special session on Geometry in Dynamics. Typo correcte

Finite groups acting linearly: Hochschild cohomology and the cup product

When a finite group acts linearly on a complex vector space, the natural semi-direct product of the group and the polynomial ring over the space forms a skew group algebra. This algebra plays the role of the coordinate ring of the resulting orbifold and serves as a substitute for the ring of invariant polynomials from the viewpoint of geometry and physics. Its Hochschild cohomology predicts various Hecke algebras and deformations of the orbifold. In this article, we investigate the ring structure of the Hochschild cohomology of the skew group algebra. We show that the cup product coincides with a natural smash product, transferring the cohomology of a group action into a group action on cohomology. We express the algebraic structure of Hochschild cohomology in terms of a partial order on the group (modulo the kernel of the action). This partial order arises after assigning to each group element the codimension of its fixed point space. We describe the algebraic structure for Coxeter groups, where this partial order is given by the reflection length function; a similar combinatorial description holds for an infinite family of complex reflection groups.Comment: 30 page

Poincare-Birkhoff-Witt Theorems

We sample some Poincare-Birkhoff-Witt theorems appearing in mathematics. Along the way, we compare modern techniques used to establish such results, for example, the Composition-Diamond Lemma, Groebner basis theory, and the homological approaches of Braverman and Gaitsgory and of Polishchuk and Positselski. We discuss several contexts for PBW theorems and their applications, such as Drinfeld-Jimbo quantum groups, graded Hecke algebras, and symplectic reflection and related algebras.Comment: 30 pages; survey article to appear in Mathematical Sciences Research Institute Proceeding