Schubert Calculus Research Articles

Feasibility of Interference Alignment for the MIMO Interference Channel

We study vector space interference alignment for the multiple-input multiple-output interference channel with no time or frequency diversity, and no symbol extensions. We prove both necessary and sufficient conditions for alignment. In particular, we characterize the feasibility of alignment for the symmetric three-user channel where all users transmit along d dimensions, all transmitters have M antennas and all receivers have N antennas, as well as feasibility of alignment for the fully symmetric (M = N) channel with an arbitrary number of users. An implication of our results is that the total degrees of freedom available in a K-user interference channel, using only spatial diversity from the multiple antennas, is at most 2. This is in sharp contrast to the K/2 degrees of freedom shown to be possible by Cadambe and Jafar with arbitrarily large time or frequency diversity. Moving beyond the question of feasibility, we additionally discuss computation of the number of solutions using Schubert calculus in cases where there are a finite number of solutions.

The boson–fermion correspondence from linear ODEs

There is a bridge between generic linear Ordinary Differential Equations (ODEs), Schubert Calculus and the bosonic–fermionic representations of the Heisenberg algebra. For a finite-order generic linear ODE, the role of the bosonic space is played by the polynomial ring generated by the coefficients of the equation. The fermionic counterpart is constructed via wedging solutions to a generic linear ODE. Such natural spaces provide representations of Lie algebras which may be viewed as finitely generated approximations of the oscillator Heisenberg algebra.

The elliptic Weyl character formula

AbstractWe calculate equivariant elliptic cohomology of the partial flag variety$\def \xmlpi #1{}\def \mathsfbi #1{\boldsymbol {\mathsf {#1}}}\let \le =\leqslant \let \leq =\leqslant \let \ge =\geqslant \let \geq =\geqslant \def \Pr {\mathit {Pr}}\def \Fr {\mathit {Fr}}\def \Rey {\mathit {Re}}G/H$, where$H\subseteq G$are compact connected Lie groups of equal rank. We identify the${\rm RO}(G)$-graded coefficients${\mathcal{E}} ll_G^*$as powers of Looijenga’s line bundle and prove that transfer along the map$$\begin{equation*} \pi \,{:}\,G/H\longrightarrow {\rm pt} \end{equation*}$$is calculated by the Weyl–Kac character formula. Treating ordinary cohomology,$K$-theory and elliptic cohomology in parallel, this paper organizes the theoretical framework for the elliptic Schubert calculus of [N. Ganter and A. Ram,Elliptic Schubert calculus, in preparation].

A congruence modulo four in real Schubert calculus

Abstract We establish a congruence modulo four in the real Schubert calculus on the Grassmannian of m-planes in 2 m $2m$ -space. This congruence holds for fibers of the Wronski map and a generalization to what we call symmetric Schubert problems. This strengthens the usual congruence modulo two for numbers of real solutions to geometric problems. It also gives examples of geometric problems given by fibers of a map whose topological degree is zero but where each fiber contains real points.

Nilpotency indices, degrees of iterations of affine triangular automorphisms, and Schubert calculus

Let f be a triangular automorphism of the affine N-space of degree d with Jacobian 1 over a \({\mathbb{Q}}\)-algebra R. We introduce a weighted nilpotency index ν(f) for f, and give a bound of deg(f n ) in terms of N, d and ν(f) for all \({n \in \mathbb{Z}}\). When N = 2, our formula, combined with computation of the Hilbert series of certain graded algebras, yields the estimate deg(f n ) ≤ d 2 − d + 1 for all \({n \in \mathbb{Z}}\). If n varies through all integers, this estimate turns out to be sharp and is related, somewhat unexpectedly, to the Schubert calculus on the Grassmannian G(d − 1, 2d − 2). Numerical computation for small degrees suggests that this estimate restricted to the inverse degree (i.e. n = −1) is also sharp if d ≥ 3.

Equivariant quantum Schubert polynomials

We establish an equivariant quantum Giambelli formula for partial flag varieties. The answer is given in terms of a specialization of universal double Schubert polynomials. Along the way, we give new proofs of the presentation of the equivariant quantum cohomology ring, as well as Graham-positivity of the structure constants in equivariant quantum Schubert calculus.

Affine and degenerate affine BMW algebras: the center

The degenerate affine and affine BMW algebras arise naturally in the context of Schur--Weyl duality for orthogonal and symplectic Lie algebras and quantum groups, respectively. Cyclotomic BMW algebras, affine Hecke algebras, cyclotomic Hecke algebras, and their degenerate versions are quotients. In this paper the theory is unified by treating the orthogonal and symplectic cases simultaneously; we make an exact parallel between the degenerate affine and affine cases via a new algebra which takes the role of the affine braid group for the degenerate setting. A main result of this paper is an identification of the centers of the affine and degenerate affine BMW algebras in terms of rings of symmetric functions which satisfy a ``cancellation property'' or ``wheel condition'' (in the degenerate case, a reformulation of a result of Nazarov). Miraculously, these same rings also arise in Schubert calculus, as the cohomology and K-theory of isotropic Grassmannians and symplectic loop Grassmannians. We also establish new intertwiner-like identities which, when projected to the center, produce the recursions for central elements given previously by Nazarov for degenerate affine BMW algebras, and by Beliakova--Blanchet for affine BMW algebras.

Totally nonnegative Grassmannian and Grassmann polytopes

These are lecture notes intended to supplement my second lecture at the Current Developments in Mathematics conference in 2014. In the first half of article, we give an introduction to the totally nonnegative Grassmannian together with a survey of some more recent work. In the second half of the article, we give a definition of a Grassmann polytope motivated by work of physicists on the amplituhedron. We propose to use Schubert calculus and canonical bases to replace linear algebra and convexity in the theory of polytopes.

Schubert calculus and the Hopf algebra structures of exceptional Lie groups

Let G be an exceptional Lie group with a maximal torus T. Based on common properties in the Schubert presentation of the cohomology ring H*(G/T;F_{p}) DZ1, and concrete expressions of generalized Weyl invariants for G over F_{p}, we obtain a unified approach to the structure of H*(G;F_{p}) as a Hopf algebra over the Steenrod algebra A_{p}. The results has been applied in Du2 to determine the near--Hopf ring structure on the integral cohomology of all exceptional Lie groups.

An equivariant rim hook rule for quantum cohomology of Grassmannians

A driving question in (quantum) cohomology of flag varieties is to find non-recursive, positive combinatorial formulas for expressing the quantum product in a particularly nice basis, called the Schubert basis. Bertram, Ciocan-Fontanine and Fulton provide a way to compute quantum products of Schubert classes in the Grassmannian of $k$-planes in complex $n$-space by doing classical multiplication and then applying a combinatorial rimhook rule which yields the quantum parameter. In this paper, we provide a generalization of this rim hook rule to the setting in which there is also an action of the complex torus. Combining this result with Knutson and Tao's puzzle rule provides an effective algorithm for computing the equivariant quantum Littlewood-Richardson coefficients. Interestingly, this rule requires a specialization of torus weights that is tantalizingly similar to maps in affine Schubert calculus. Une question importante dans la cohomologie quantique des variétés de drapeaux est de trouver des formules positives non récursives pour exprimer le produit quantique dans une base particulièrement bonne, appelée la base de Schubert. Bertram, Ciocan-Fontanine et Fulton donnent une façon de calculer les produits quantiques de classes de Schubert dans la Grassmannienne de $k$-plans dans l’espace complexe de dimension $n$ en faisant la multiplication classique et appliquant une règle combinatoire “rimhook” qui donne le paramètre quantique. Dans cet article, nous donnons une généralisation de ce règle rimhook au contexte où il y a aussi une action du tore complexe. Combiné avec la règle “puzzle” de Knutson et Tao, cela donne une algorithme effective pour calculer les coefficients équivariants de Littlewood-Richard. Il est intéressant d'observer que cette règle demande une spécialisation des poids du tore qui est similaire d’une manière tentante aux applications dans le calcul de Schubert affiné.

Flag Gromov-Witten invariants via crystals

We apply ideas from crystal theory to affine Schubert calculus and flag Gromov-Witten invariants. By defining operators on certain decompositions of elements in the type-$A$ affine Weyl group, we produce a crystal reflecting the internal structure of Specht modules associated to permutation diagrams. We show how this crystal framework can be applied to study the product of a Schur function with a $k$-Schur function. Consequently, we prove that a subclass of 3-point Gromov-Witten invariants of complete flag varieties for $\mathbb{C}^n$ enumerate the highest weight elements under these operators. Nous appliquons des idées provenant de la théorie des bases cristallines au calcul de Schubert affine et aux invariants de drapeaux de Gromov–Witten. Nous définissons des opérateurs sur certaines décompositions d’éléments de groupes de Weyl affines en type $A$ afin de construire une base cristalline encodant la structure interne des modules de Specht associés aux diagrammes de permutations. Nous montrons comment la structure de cristal permet d’étudier le produit d’une fonction de Schur avec une $k$-fonction de Schur. En conséquence, nous prouvons que la sous-classe des invariants de 3-points de Gromov–Witten d’une variété complète de drapeaux complets pour $\mathbb{C}^n$ énumère les éléments de poids maximaux pour ces opérateurs.

A Giambelli formula for even orthogonal Grassmannians

Abstract Let X be an orthogonal Grassmannian parametrizing isotropic subspaces in an even dimensional vector space equipped with a nondegenerate symmetric form. We prove a Giambelli formula which expresses an arbitrary Schubert class in the classical and quantum cohomology rings of X as a polynomial in certain special Schubert classes. Our analysis reveals a surprising relation between the Schubert calculus on even and odd orthogonal Grassmannians. We also study eta polynomials, a family of polynomials defined using raising operators whose algebra agrees with the Schubert calculus on X.

Positroid varieties: juggling and geometry

AbstractWhile the intersection of the Grassmannian Bruhat decompositions for all coordinate flags is an intractable mess, it turns out that the intersection of only the cyclic shifts of one Bruhat decomposition has many of the good properties of the Bruhat and Richardson decompositions. This decomposition coincides with the projection of the Richardson stratification of the flag manifold, studied by Lusztig, Rietsch, Brown–Goodearl–Yakimov and the present authors. However, its cyclic-invariance is hidden in this description. Postnikov gave many cyclic-invariant ways to index the strata, and we give a new one, by a subset of the affine Weyl group we call bounded juggling patterns. We call the strata positroid varieties. Applying results from [A. Knutson, T. Lam and D. Speyer, Projections of Richardson varieties, J. Reine Angew. Math., to appear, arXiv:1008.3939 [math.AG]], we show that positroid varieties are normal, Cohen–Macaulay, have rational singularities, and are defined as schemes by the vanishing of Plücker coordinates. We prove that their associated cohomology classes are represented by affine Stanley functions. This latter fact lets us connect Postnikov’s and Buch–Kresch–Tamvakis’ approaches to quantum Schubert calculus.

Eigenvalues of Hermitian matrices and equivariant cohomology of Grassmannians

AbstractThe saturation theorem of Knutson and Tao concerns the nonvanishing of Littlewood–Richardson coefficients. In combination with work of Klyachko, it implies Horn’s conjecture about eigenvalues of sums of Hermitian matrices. This eigenvalue problem has a generalization to majorized sums of Hermitian matrices, due to S. Friedland. We further illustrate the common features between these two eigenvalue problems and their connection to Schubert calculus of Grassmannians. Our main result gives a Schubert calculus interpretation of Friedland’s problem, via equivariant cohomology of Grassmannians. In particular, we prove a saturation theorem for this setting. Our arguments employ the aforementioned work together with recent work of H. Thomas and A. Yong.

Lower bounds in real Schubert calculus

We describe a large-scale computational experiment study- ing structure in the numbers of real solutions to osculating instances of Schubert problems. This investigation uncovered Schubert problems whose computed numbers of real solutions variously exhibit nontriv- ial upper bounds, lower bounds, gaps, and a congruence modulo four. We present a family of Schubert problems, one in each Grassmannian, and prove that their real osculating instances have the observed lower bounds and gaps.

Equivariant cobordism of flag varieties and of symmetric varieties

We obtain an explicit presentation for the equivariant cobordism ring of a complete flag variety. An immediate corollary is a Borel presentation for the ordinary cobordism ring. Another application is an equivariant Schubert calculus in cobordism. We also describe the rational equivariant cobordism rings of wonderful symmetric varieties of minimal rank.

Schubert calculus of Richardson varieties stable under spherical Levi subgroups

We observe that the expansion in the basis of Schubert cycles for $H^*(G/B)$ of the class of a Richardson variety stable under a spherical Levi subgroup is described by a theorem of Brion. Using this observation, along with a combinatorial model of the poset of certain symmetric subgroup orbit closures, we give positive combinatorial descriptions of certain Schubert structure constants on the full flag variety in type $A$. Namely, we describe $c_{u,v}^w$ when $u$ and $v$ are inverse to Grassmannian permutations with unique descents at $p$ and $q$, respectively. We offer some conjectures for similar rules in types $B$ and $D$, associated to Richardson varieties stable under spherical Levi subgroups of $SO(2n+1,\C)$ and $SO(2n,\C)$, respectively.

New techniques for obtaining Schubert-type formulas for Hamiltonian manifolds

In [GT], Goldin and Tolman extend some ideas from Schubert calculus to the more general setting of Hamiltonian torus actions on compact symplectic manifolds with isolated fixed points. (See also [Kn99,Kn08].) The main goal of this paper is to build on this work by finding more effective formulas. More explicitly, given a generic component of the moment map, they define a canonical class alpha(p) in the equivariant cohomology of the manifold M for each fixed point p is an element of M. When they exist, canonical classes form a natural basis of the equivariant cohomology of M. In particular, when M is a flag variety, these classes are the equivariant Schubert classes. It is a long-standing problem in combinatorics to find positive integral formulas for the equivariant structure constants associated to this basis. Since computing the restriction of the canonical classes to the fixed points determines these structure constants, it is important to find effective formulas for these restrictions. In this paper, we introduce new techniques for calculating the restrictions of a canonical class alpha(p) to a fixed point q. Our formulas are nearly always simpler, in the sense that they count the contributions over fewer paths. Moreover, our formula is manifestly positive and integral in certain important special cases.

Root-theoretic Young Diagrams, Schubert Calculus and Adjoint Varieties

Root-theoretic Young diagrams are a conceptual framework to discuss existence of a root-system uniform and manifestly non-negative combinatorial rule for Schubert calculus. Our main results use them to obtain formulas for (co)adjoint varieties of classical Lie type. This case is the simplest after the previously solved (co)minuscule family. Yet our formulas possess both uniform and non-uniform features. Les diagrammes de Young racine-théoriques forment un cadre conceptuel qui permet de discuter l’existence de règles de calcul de Schubert explicitement non-négatives et uniformes sur les systèmes de racines. Notre principal résultat est leur utilisation pour obtenir des formules pour les variétés (co)adjointes de types classiques. C’est le cas le plus simple après celui la famille (co)minuscule, déjà résolue. Nos formules possèdent toutefois des propriétés uniformes et non-uniformes.

Complex Static Skew-Symmetric Output Feedback Control

We study the problem of feedback control for skew-symmetric and skew-Hamiltonian transfer functions using skew-symmetric controllers. This extends work of Helmke et al., who studied static symmetric feedback control of symmetric and Hamiltonian linear systems. We identify spaces of linear systems with symmetry as natural subvarieties of the moduli space of rational curves in a Grassmannian, give necessary and sufficient conditions for pole placement by static skew-symmetric complex feedback, and use Schubert calculus for the orthogonal Grassmannian to count the number of complex feedback laws when there are finitely many of them. Finally, we also construct a real skew-symmetric linear system with only real feedback for any set of real poles.