Jon Brundan's Research
Go back to my University of Oregon home page.
I just finished AP calculus in high school. What should I do next?
I know abstract algebra but have never taken a course in Lie Theory.
Here are abstracts and links to my research papers. You can also access most of these from the ArXiv.
Odd Grassmannian bimodules and derived equivalences for spin symmetric groups, submitted, 100 pages, pdf (with A. Kleshchev).
We prove odd analogs of results of Chuang and Rouquier on $\mathfrak{sl}_2$-categorification. Combined also with recent work of the second author with Livesey, this allows us to complete the proof of Broue's Abelian Defect Conjecture for the double covers of symmetric groups. The article also develops the theory of odd symmetric functions initiated a decade ago by Ellis, Khovanov and Lauda. A key role in our approach is played by a 2-supercategory consisting of {\em odd Grassmannian bimodules} over superalgebras which are odd analogs of equivariant cohomology algebras of Grassmannians. This is the odd analog of the category of Grassmannian bimodules which was at the heart of Lauda's independent approach to categorification of $\mathfrak{sl}_2$. We also construct an action of the odd 2-category $\mathfrak{U}(\mathfrak{sl}_2)$ on odd Grassmannian bimodules and use this to give a new proof of its non-degeneracy.
The degenerate Heisenberg category and its Grothendieck ring, to appear in ASENS, pdf (with A. Savage and B. Webster).
The degenerate Heisenberg category $\mathcal{Heis}_k$ is a strict monoidal category which was originally introduced in the special case $k=-1$ by Khovanov in 2010. Khovanov conjectured that the Grothendieck ring of the additive Karoubi envelope of his category is isomorphic to a certain $\mathbb{Z}$-form for the universal enveloping algebra of the infinite-dimensional Heisenberg Lie algebra specialized at central charge $-1$. We prove this conjecture and extend it to arbitrary central charge $k \in \mathbb{Z}$. We also explain how to categorify the comultiplication (generically).
Semi-infinite highest weight categories, to appear in Memoirs Amer. Math. Soc., pdf (with C. Stroppel).
We develop axiomatics of highest weight categories and quasi-hereditary algebras in order to incorporate two semi-infinite situations which are in Ringel duality with each other; the underlying posets are either {\em upper finite} or {\em lower finite}. We also consider various more general sorts of stratified categories. In the upper finite cases, we give an alternative characterization of these categories in terms of based quasi-hereditary algebras and based stratified algebras, which are certain locally unital algebras possessing triangular bases.
A new approach to the representation theory of the partition category, J. Algebra 601 (2022), 198--279 pdf (with M. Vargas).
We explain a new approach to the representation theory of the partition category based on a reformulation of the definition of the Jucys-Murphy elements introduced originally by Halverson and Ram and developed further by Enyang. Our reformulation involves a new graphical monoidal category, the {\em affine partition category}, which is defined here as a certain monoidal subcategory of Khovanov's Heisenberg category. We use the Jucys-Murphy elements to construct some special projective functors, then apply these functors to give self-contained proofs of results of Comes and Ostrik on blocks of Deligne's category $\operatorname{Rep}(S_t)$.
Quantum Frobenius Heisenberg categorification, JPAA 226 (2022), paper no. 106792, 50 pp., pdf (with A. Savage and B. Webster).
We associate a diagrammatic monoidal category $\mathcal{H}eis_k(A;z,t)$, which we call the quantum Frobenius Heisenberg category, to a symmetric Frobenius superalgebra $A$, a central charge $k \in \mathbb{Z}$, and invertible parameters $z,t$ in some ground ring. When $A$ is trivial, i.e. it equals the ground ring, these categories recover the quantum Heisenberg categories introduced in our previous work, and when the central charge $k$ is zero they yield generalizations of the affine HOMFLY-PT skein category. By exploiting some natural categorical actions of $\mathcal{H}eis_k(A;z,t)$ on generalized cyclotomic quotients, we prove a basis theorem for morphism spaces.
Foundations of Frobenius Heisenberg categories, J. Algebra 578 (2021), 115-185 pdf (with A. Savage and B. Webster).
We describe bases for the morphism spaces of the Frobenius Heisenberg categories associated to a symmetric graded Frobenius algebra, proving several open conjectures. Our proof uses a categorical comultiplication and generalized cyclotomic quotients of the category. We use our basis theorem to prove that the Grothendieck ring of the Karoubi envelope of the Frobenius Heisenberg category recovers the lattice Heisenberg algebra associated to the Frobenius algebra.
Heisenberg and Kac-Moody categorification, Selecta Math. 26 (2020), 74, pdf (with A. Savage and B. Webster).
We show that any Abelian module category over the (degenerate or quantum) Heisenberg category satisfying suitable finiteness conditions may be viewed as a 2-representation over a corresponding Kac-Moody 2-category (and vice versa). This gives a way to construct Kac-Moody actions in many representation-theoretic examples which is independent of Rouquier's original approach via `control by K_0.' As an application, we prove an isomorphism theorem for generalized cyclotomic quotients of these categories, extending the known isomorphism between cyclotomic quotients of type A affine Hecke algebras and quiver Hecke algebras.
Semisimplification of the category of tilting modules for GL_n, Advances Math. 375 (2020), 107331, pdf (with I. Entova, P. Etingof and V. Ostrik).
We describe the semisimplification of the monoidal category of tilting modules for the algebraic group $GL_n$ in characteristic $p>0$. In particular, we compute the dimensions of the indecomposable tilting modules modulo $p$.
On the definition of quantum Heisenberg category, Alg. Numb. Theory 14 (2020), 275-321, pdf (with A. Savage and B. Webster).
We introduce a diagrammatic monoidal category $\mathcal{Heis}_k(z,t)$ which we call the quantum Heisenberg category; here, $k \in \mathbb{Z}$ is ``central charge'' and $z$ and $t$ are invertible parameters. Special cases were known before: for central charge $k=-1$ and parameters $z = q-q^{-1}$ and $t = -z^{-1}$ our quantum Heisenberg category may be obtained from the deformed version of Khovanov's Heisenberg category introduced by Licata and the second author by inverting its polynomial generator, while $\mathcal{Heis}_0(z,t)$ is the affinization of the HOMFLY-PT skein category. We also prove a basis theorem for the morphism spaces in $\mathcal{Heis}_k(z,t)$.
A basis theorem for the degenerate affine oriented Brauer-Clifford supercategory, Canad. J. Math. 71 (2019), 1061–1101, pdf (with J. Comes and J. Kujawa).
We introduce the oriented Brauer-Clifford and degenerate affine oriented Brauer-Clifford superalgebra. These are diagrammatically defined monoidal supercategories which provide combinatorial models for certain natural monoidal supercategories of supermodules and endosuperfunctors, respectively, for the Lie superalgebras of type Q. Our main results are basis theorems for these diagram supercategories. We also discuss connections and applications to the representation theory of the Lie superalgebra of type Q.
Type C blocks of super category $\mathcal O$, Math. Z. 293 (2019), 867-901, pdf plus some GAP code cited in the text (with N. Davidson).
We show that the blocks of category $\mathcal{O}$ for the Lie superalgebra $\mathfrak{q}_n(\mathbb{C})$ associated to half-integral weights carry the structure of a tensor product categorification for the infinite rank Kac-Moody algebra of type C$_\infty$. This allows us to prove two conjectures formulated by Cheng, Kwon and Lam. We then focus on the full subcategory consisting of finite-dimensional representations, which we show is a highest weight category with blocks that are Morita equivalent to certain generalized Khovanov arc algebras.
Whittaker coinvariants for GL(m|n), Advances Math. 347 (2019), 273-339, pdf (with S. Goodwin).
Let $W_{m|n}$ be the (finite) $W$-algebra attached to the principal nilpotent orbit in the general linear Lie superalgebra $\mathfrak{gl}_{m|n}(\mathbb{C})$. In this paper we study the Whittaker coinvariants functor, which is an exact functor from category $\mathcal O$ for $\mathfrak{gl}_{m|n}(\mathbb{C})$ to a certain category of finite-dimensional modules over $W_{m|n}$. We show that this functor has properties similar to Soergel's functor $\mathbb{V}$ in the setting of category $\mathcal O$ for a semisimple Lie algebra. We also use it to compute the center of $W_{m|n}$ explicitly, and deduce some consequences for the classification of blocks of $\mathcal O$ up to Morita/derived equivalence.
The p-centre of Yangians and shifted Yangians, Mosc. Math. J. 18 (2018), 617-657 , pdf (with L. Topley).
We study the Yangian $Y_n$ associated to the general linear Lie algebra $\mathfrak{gl}_n$ over a field of positive characteristic, as well as its shifted analog $Y_n(\sigma)$. Our main result gives a description of the centre of $Y_n(\sigma)$: it is a polynomial algebra generated by its Harish-Chandra centre (which lifts the centre in characteristic zero) together with a large $p$-centre. Moreover, $Y_n(\sigma)$ is free as a module over its center. In future work, it will be seen that every reduced enveloping algebra $U_\chi(\mathfrak{gl}_n)$ is Morita equivalent to a quotient of an appropriate choice of shifted Yangian, and so our results will have applications in classical representation theory.
On the definition of Heisenberg category, Alg. Comb. 1 (2018), 523-544, pdf.
We revisit the definition of the Heisenberg category of level $k \in \mathbb{Z}$. In level $- 1$, this category was introduced originally by Khovanov, but with some additional cyclicity relations which we show here are unnecessary. In other negative levels, the definition is due to Mackaay and Savage, also with some redundant relations, while the level zero case is the affine oriented Brauer category of Brundan, Comes, Nash and Reynolds. We also discuss cyclotomic quotients.
Representations of the oriented skein category, unpublished, preprint made available in 2017, pdf.
The oriented skein category $\mathcal{OS}(z,t)$ is a ribbon category which underpins the definition of the HOMFLY-PT invariant of an oriented link, in the same way that the Temperley-Lieb category underpins the Jones polynomial. In this article, we develop its representation theory using a highest weight theory approach. This allows us to determine the Grothendieck ring of its additive Karoubi envelope for all possible choices of parameters, including the (already well-known) semisimple case, and all non-semisimple situations. Then we construct a graded lift of $\mathcal{OS}(z,t)$ by realizing it as a 2-representation of a Kac-Moody 2-category. We also discuss the degenerate analog of $\mathcal{OS}(z,t)$, which is the oriented Brauer category $\mathcal{OB}(\delta)$.
Super Kac-Moody 2-categories, Proc. Lond. Math. Soc. 115 (2017), 925–973, pdf (with A. Ellis).
We introduce generalizations of Kac-Moody 2-categories in which the quiver Hecke algebras of Khovanov, Lauda and Rouquier are replaced by the quiver Hecke superalgebras of Kang, Kashiwara and Tsuchioka.
Tensor product categorifications and the super Kazhdan-Lusztig conjecture, Int. Math. Res. Notices 20 (2017), 6329–6410 pdf (with I. Losev and B. Webster).
We give a new proof of the "super Kazhdan-Lusztig conjecture" for the Lie superalgebra $\mathfrak{gl}_{n|m}(\mathbb{C})$ as formulated originally by the first author. We also prove for the first time that any integral block of category $\mathcal O$ for $\mathfrak{gl}_{n|m}(\mathbb{C})$ (and also all of its parabolic analogs) possesses a graded version which is Koszul. Our approach depends crucially on an application of the uniqueness of tensor product categorifications established recently by the second two authors.
Monoidal supercategories, Commun. Math. Phys. 351 (2017), 1045-1089 pdf (with A. Ellis).
This work is a companion to our article "Super Kac-Moody 2-categories," which introduces super analogs of the Kac-Moody 2-categories of Khovanov-Lauda and Rouquier. In the case of $\mathfrak{sl}_2$, the super Kac-Moody 2-category was constructed already in [A. Ellis and A. Lauda, "An odd categorification of $U_q(\mathfrak{sl}_2)$"], but we found that the formalism adopted there became too cumbersome in the general case. Instead, it is better to work with 2-supercategories (roughly, 2-categories enriched in vector superspaces). Then the Ellis-Lauda 2-category, which we call here a $\Pi$-2-category (roughly, a 2-category equipped with a distinguished involution in its Drinfeld center), can be recovered by taking the superadditive envelope then passing to the underlying 2-category. The main goal of this article is to develop this language and the related formal constructions, in the hope that these foundations may prove useful in other contexts.
A basis theorem for the affine oriented Brauer category and its cyclotomic quotients, Quantum Topology 8 (2017), 75-112 pdf (with J. Comes, D. Nash and A. Reynolds).
The affine oriented Brauer category is a monoidal category obtained from the oriented Brauer category ($=$ the free symmetric monoidal category generated by a single object and its dual) by adjoining a polynomial generator subject to appropriate relations. In this article, we prove a basis theorem for the morphism spaces in this category, as well as for all of its cyclotomic quotients.
Categorical actions and crystals, Contemp. Math. 684 (2017), 116-159, pdf (with N. Davidson).
This is an expository article developing some aspects of the theory of categorical actions of Kac-Moody algebras in the spirit of works of Chuang-Rouquier, Khovanov-Lauda, Webster, and many others.
Type A blocks of super category $\mathcal{O}$, J. Algebra 473 (2017), 447–480, pdf plus some GAP code cited in the text (with N. Davidson).
We show that every block of category $\mathcal{O}$ for the general linear Lie superalgebra $\mathfrak{gl}_{m|n}(\mathbb{C})$ is equivalent to some corresponding block of category $\mathcal{O}$ for the queer Lie superalgebra $\mathfrak{q}_{m+n}(\mathbb{C})$. This implies the truth of the Kazhdan-Lusztig conjecture for the so-called type A blocks of category $\mathcal{O}$ for the queer Lie superalgebra as formulated by Cheng, Kwon and Wang.
On the definition of Kac-Moody 2-category, Math. Ann. 364 (2016), 353-372, pdf.
We show that the Kac-Moody 2-categories defined by Rouquier and by Khovanov and Lauda are the same.
Representations of the general linear Lie superalgebra in the BGG category $\mathcal O$, in: "Developments and Retrospectives in Lie Theory: Algebraic Methods," eds. G. Mason et al., Developments in Mathematics 38, Springer, 2014, pp. 71–98, pdf plus some GAP code cited in the text.
This is a survey of some recent developments in the highest weight repesentation theory of the general linear Lie superalgebra $\mathfrak{gl}_{n|m}(\mathbb{C})$. The main focus is on the analog of the Kazhdan-Lusztig conjecture as formulated by the author in 2002, which was finally proved in 2011 by Cheng, Lam and Wang. Recently another proof has been obtained by the author joint with Losev and Webster, by a method which leads moreover to the construction of a Koszul-graded lift of category $\mathcal O$ for this Lie superalgebra.
Homological properties of finite type Khovanov-Lauda-Rouquier algebras, Duke Math. J. 163 (2014), no. 7, 1353–1404, pdf plus a text file containing some computations (with A. Kleshchev and P. McNamara).
We give an algebraic construction of standard modules--infinite dimensional modules categorifying the PBW basis of the underlying quantized enveloping algebra--for Khovanov-Lauda-Rouquier algebras in all finite types. This allows us to prove in an elementary way that these algebras satisfy the homological properties of an "affine quasi-hereditary algebra." In simply-laced types these properties were established originally by Kato via a geometric approach. We also construct some Koszul-like projective resolutions of standard modules corresponding to multiplicity-free positive roots.
Schur-Weyl duality and categorification, Proceedings of the International Congress of Mathematicians—Seoul 2014. Vol. III, 51–70, Kyung Moon Sa, Seoul, 2014, pdf.
In some joint work with Kleshchev in 2008, we discovered a higher level analog of Schur-Weyl duality, relating parabolic category $\mathcal O$ for the general linear Lie algebra to certain cyclotomic Hecke algebras. Meanwhile Rouquier and others were developing a general axiomatic approach to the study of categorical actions of Lie algebras. In this survey, we recall aspects of these two theories, then explain some related recent developments due to Losev and Webster involving tensor product categorifications.
Quiver Hecke algebras and categorification, in: "Advances in Representation Theory of Algebras," eds: D. Benson et al, EMS Congress Reports, 2013, pp.103-133, pdf.
This is a brief introduction to the quiver Hecke algebras of Khovanov, Lauda and Rouquier, emphasizing their application to the categorification of quantum groups. The text is based on lectures given by the author at the ICRA workshop in Bielefeld in August, 2012.
Principal W-algebras for GL$\mathbf{(m|n)}$, Algebra Numb. Theory 7 (2013), 1849-1882, pdf (with J. Brown and S. Goodwin).
We consider the (finite) $W$-algebra $W_{m|n}$ attached to the principal nilpotent orbit in the general linear Lie superalgebra $\mathfrak{gl}_{m|n}(\mathbb{C})$. Our main result gives an explicit description of $W_{m|n}$ as a certain truncation of a shifted version of the Yangian $Y(\mathfrak{gl}_{1|1})$. We also show that $W_{m|n}$ admits a triangular decomposition and construct its irreducible representations.
Gradings on walled Brauer algebras and Khovanov's arc algebra, Advances Math. 231 (2012), 709-773, pdf (with C. Stroppel).
We introduce some $\mathbb{Z}$-graded versions of the walled Brauer algebra $B_{r,s}(\delta)$, working over a field of characteristic zero. This allows us to prove that $B_{r,s}(\delta)$ is Morita equivalent to an idempotent truncation of a certain infinite dimensional version of Khovanov's arc algebra. We deduce that the walled Brauer algebra is Koszul whenever $\delta \neq 0$.
An orthogonal form for level two Hecke algebras with applications, Contemp. Math. 565 (2012), 29-53. pdf.
This is a survey of some recent results relating Khovanov's arc algebra to category $\mathcal O$ for Grassmannians, the general linear supergroup, and the walled Brauer algebra. The exposition emphasizes an extension of Young's orthogonal form for level two cyclotomic Hecke algebras.
Highest weight categories arising from Khovanov's diagram algebra IV: the general linear supergroup, J. Eur. Math. Soc. 14 (2012), 373-419, pdf (with C. Stroppel).
We prove that blocks of the general linear supergroup are Morita equivalent to a limiting version of Khovanov's diagram algebra. We deduce that blocks of the general linear supergroup are Koszul.
Highest weight categories arising from Khovanov's diagram algebra I: cellularity, Mosc. Math. J. 11 (2011), 685-722, pdf (with C. Stroppel).
This is the first of four articles studying some slight generalisations $H^n_m$ of Khovanov's diagram algebra, as well as quasi-hereditary covers $K^n_m$ of these algebras in the sense of Rouquier, and certain infinite dimensional limiting versions $K^\infty_m$, $K^{\pm \infty}_m$ and $K^\infty_\infty$. In this article we prove that $H^n_m$ is a cellular symmetric algebra and that $K^n_m$ is a cellular quasi-hereditary algebra. In subsequent articles, we relate $H^n_m, K^n_m$ and $K^\infty_m$ to level two blocks of degenerate cyclotomic Hecke algebras, parabolic category $\mathcal O$ and the general linear supergroup, respectively.
Moeglin's theorem and Goldie rank polynomials in Cartan type A, Compositio Math. 147 (2011), 1741-1771, pdf.
We use the theory of finite $W$-algebras associated to nilpotent orbits in the Lie algebra $\mathfrak{g} = \mathfrak{gl}_N(\mathbb{C})$ to give another proof of Moeglin's theorem about completely prime primitive ideals in the enveloping algebra $U(\mathfrak{g})$. We also make some new observations about Joseph's Goldie rank polynomials in Cartan type $A$.
Cohomology of Spaltenstein varieties, Transform. Groups 16 (2011), 619-648, pdf (with V. Ostrik).
We give a presentation for the cohomology algebra of the Spaltenstein variety of all partial flags annihilated by a fixed nilpotent matrix, generalizing the description of the cohomology algebra of the Springer fiber found by De Concini, Procesi and Tanisaki.
Graded Specht modules, J. Reine Angew. Math. 655 (2011), 61-87, pdf (with A. Kleshchev and W. Wang).
Recently, the first two authors have defined a $\mathbb Z$-grading on group algebras of symmetric groups and more generally on the cyclotomic Hecke algebras of type $G(l,1,d)$. In this paper we explain how to grade Specht modules over these algebras.
Highest weight categories arising from Khovanov's diagram algebra III: category $\mathbf{\mathcal O}$, Represent. Theory 15 (2011), 170-243, pdf (with C. Stroppel).
We prove that integral blocks of parabolic category $\mathcal O$ associated to the subalgebra $\mathfrak{gl}_m(\mathbb{C}) \oplus \mathfrak{gl}_n(\mathbb{C})$ of $\mathfrak{gl}_{m+n}(\mathbb{C})$ are Morita equivalent to quasi-hereditary covers of generalised Khovanov algebras. Although this result is in principle known, the existing proof is quite indirect, going via perverse sheaves on Grassmannians. Our new approach is completely algebraic, exploiting Schur-Weyl duality for higher levels. As a by-product we get a concrete combinatorial construction of $2$-Kac-Moody representations in the sense of Rouquier corresponding to level two weights in finite type $A$.
Book review, "Finite Dimensional Algebras and Quantum Groups", Bull. Amer. Math. Soc. 48 (2011), 107--114, pdf.
Highest weight categories arising from Khovanov's diagram algebra II: Koszulity, Transform. Groups 15 (2010), 1-45, pdf (with C. Stroppel).
This is the second of a series of four articles studying various generalisations of Khovanov's diagram algebra. In this article we develop the general theory of Khovanov's diagrammatically defined "projective functors" in our setting. As an application, we give a direct proof of the fact that the quasi-hereditary covers of generalised Khovanov algebras are Koszul.
Book review, "Yangians and Classical Lie Algebras", Bull. Amer. Math. Soc. 47 (2010), 561--566, pdf.
The degenerate analogue of Ariki's categorification theorem, Math. Z. 266 (2010), 877-919, pdf (with A. Kleshchev).
We explain how to deduce the degenerate analogue of Ariki's categorification theorem over the ground field $\mathbb C$ as an application of Schur-Weyl duality for higher levels and the Kazhdan-Lusztig conjecture in finite type A. We also discuss some supplementary topics, including Young modules, tensoring with sign, tilting modules and Ringel duality.
Graded decomposition numbers for cyclotomic Hecke algebras, Advances in Math. 222 (2009), 1883-1942, pdf (with A. Kleshchev).
In recent joint work with Wang, we have constructed graded Specht modules for cyclotomic Hecke algebras. In this article, we prove a graded version of the Lascoux-Leclerc-Thibon conjecture, describing the decomposition numbers of graded Specht modules over a field of characteristic zero.
Blocks of cyclotomic Hecke algebras and Khovanov-Lauda algebras, Invent. Math. 178 (2009), 451-484, pdf (with A. Kleshchev).
We construct an explicit isomorphism between blocks of cyclotomic Hecke algebras and (sign-modified) cyclotomic Khovanov-Lauda algebras in type A. These isomorphisms connect the categorification conjecture of Khovanov and Lauda to Ariki's categorification theorem. The Khovanov-Lauda algebras are naturally graded, which allows us to exhibit a non-trivial $\mathbb{Z}$-grading on blocks of cyclotomic Hecke algebras, including symmetric groups in positive characteristic.
Elementary invariants for centralizers of nilpotent matrices, J. Austral. Math. Soc. 86 (2009), 1-15, pdf (with J. Brown).
We construct an explicit set of algebraically independent generators for the center of the universal enveloping algebra of the centralizer of a nilpotent matrix in the general linear Lie algebra over a field of characteristic zero. In particular, this gives a new proof of the freeness of the center, a result first proved by Panyushev, Premet and Yakimova.
Representations of shifted Yangians and finite W-algebras, Mem. Amer. Math. Soc. 196 (2008), 107 pp., pdf (with A. Kleshchev).
We study highest weight representations of shifted Yangians over an algebraically closed field of characteristic 0. In particular, we classify the finite dimensional irreducible representations and explain how to compute their Gelfand-Tsetlin characters in terms of known characters of standard modules and certain Kazhdan-Lusztig polynomials. Our approach exploits the relationship between shifted Yangians and the finite W-algebras associated to nilpotent orbits in general linear Lie algebras.
Schur-Weyl duality for higher levels, Selecta Math. 14 (2008), 1-57, pdf (with A. Kleshchev).
We extend Schur-Weyl duality to an arbitrary level $l \geq 1$, level one recovering the classical duality between the symmetric and general linear groups. In general, the symmetric group is replaced by the degenerate cyclotomic Hecke algebra over $\mathbb{C}$ parametrized by a dominant weight of level $l$ for the root system of type $A_\infty$. As an application, we prove that the degenerate analogue of the quasi-hereditary cover of the cyclotomic Hecke algebra constructed by Dipper, James and Mathas is Morita equivalent to certain blocks of parabolic category $\mathcal{O}$ for the general linear Lie algebra.
Highest weight theory for finite W-algebras, Int. Math. Res. Notices 11 (2008), 53pp., pdf (with S. Goodwin and A. Kleshchev).
We define analogues of Verma modules for finite W-algebras. By the usual ideas of highest weight theory, this is a first step towards the classification of finite dimensional irreducible modules. We also introduce an analogue of the BGG category $\mathcal O$. Motivated by known results in type A, we then formulate some precise conjectures in the case of nilpotent orbits of standard Levi type.
Symmetric functions, parabolic category $\mathbf{\mathcal O}$ and the Springer fiber, Duke Math. J. 143 (2008), 41-79, pdf.
We prove that the center of a regular block of parabolic category $\mathcal O$ for the general linear Lie algebra is isomorphic to the cohomology algebra of a corresponding Springer fiber. This was conjectured by Khovanov. We also find presentations for the centers of singular blocks, which are cohomology algebras of Spaltenstein varieties.
Centers of degenerate cyclotomic Hecke algebras and parabolic category $\mathbf{\mathcal O}$, Represent. Theory 12 (2008), 236-259, pdf.
We prove that the center of each degenerate cyclotomic Hecke algebra associated to the complex reflection group of type $B_d(l)$ consists of symmetric polynomials in its commuting generators. The classification of the blocks of the degenerate cyclotomic Hecke algebras is an easy consequence. We then apply Schur-Weyl duality for higher levels to deduce analogous results for parabolic category $\mathcal O$ for the Lie algebra $\mathfrak{gl}_n(\mathbb{C})$.
Good grading polytopes, Proc. London Math. Soc. 94 (2007), 155-180, pdf (with S. Goodwin).
Let $\mathfrak{g}$ be a finite dimensional semisimple Lie algebra over $\mathbb{C}$ and $e \in \mathfrak{g}$ a nilpotent element. Elashvili and Kac have recently classified all {good $\mathbb{Z}$-gradings} for $e$. We instead consider good $\mathbb{R}$-gradings, which are naturally parameterized by an open convex polytope in a Euclidean space arising from the reductive part of the centralizer of $e$ in $\mathfrak{g}$. As an application, we prove that the isomorphism type of the finite W-algebra attached to a good $\mathbb{R}$-grading for $e$ is independent of the particular choice of good grading.
Dual canonical bases and Kazhdan-Lusztig polynomials, Special issue celebrating the 60th birthday of Gordon James, J. Algebra 306 (2006), 17-46, pdf.
We derive a formula for the entries of the (unitriangular) transition matrices between the standard monomial and dual canonical bases of the irreducible polynomial representations of $U_q(\mathfrak{gl}_n)$ in terms of Kazhdan-Lusztig polynomials.
James' regularization theorem for projective representations of symmetric groups, Special issue celebrating the 60th birthday of Gordon James, J. Algebra 306 (2006), 128-137, pdf (with A. Kleshchev).
This paper is concerned with the modular representation theory of the affine Hecke-Clifford superalgebra, the cyclotomic Hecke-Clifford superalgebras, and projective representations of the symmetric group. Our approach exploits crystal graphs of affine Kac-Moody algebras.
Shifted Yangians and finite W-algebras, Advances Math. 200 (2006), 136-195, pdf (with A. Kleshchev).
We give a presentation for the finite W-algebra associated to a nilpotent matrix in the general linear Lie algebra over $\mathbb{C}$. In the special case that the nilpotent matrix consists of $n$ Jordan blocks each of the same size $l$, the presentation is that of the Yangian of level $l$ associated to $\mathfrak{gl}_n$, as was first observed by Ragoucy and Sorba. In the general case, we are lead to introduce some generalizations of the Yangian which we call the shifted Yangians.
Modular representations of the supergroup Q$\mathbf{(n)}$ II, Pacific J. Math. 224 (2006), 65-90, pdf.
We continue our study of the representations of the supergroup $Q(n)$ over a field of odd positive characteristic. The focus here is on the aspects of the theory that depend in some way on the interpretation of induction in terms of sheaf cohomology of certain equivariant vector bundles on the associated flag superschemes.
Parabolic presentations of the Yangian $\mathbf{Y(\mathfrak{gl}_n)}$, Commun. Math. Physics 254 (2005), 191-220, pdf (with A. Kleshchev).
We introduce some new presentations for the Yangian associated to the Lie algebra $\mathfrak{gl}_n$. These presentations are parametrized by tuples of positive integers summing to $n$. At one extreme, for the tuple $(n)$, the presentation is the usual RTT presentation of $Y_n$. At the other extreme, for the tuple $(1^n)$, the presentation is closely related to Drinfeld's presentation. In general, the presentations are useful for understanding the structure of the standard parabolic subalgebras of $Y_n$.
Tilting modules for Lie superalgebras, Commun. Algebra 32 (2004), 2251-2268, pdf.
We develop a general theory of tilting modules for graded Lie superalgebras, extending work of Soergel for graded Lie algebras. The main result of the article gives a twisted version of BGG reciprocity relating multiplicities in $\Delta$-flags of indecomposable tilting modules to composition multiplicities of costandard modules. We then discuss the examples $\mathfrak{gl}(m|n)$ and $\mathfrak{q}(n)$ in detail.
Kazhdan-Lusztig polynomials and character formulae for the Lie superalgebra $\mathbf{\mathfrak{q}(n)}$, Advances Math. 182 (2004), 28-77, pdf.
We compute the characters of the finite dimensional irreducible representations of the Lie superalgebra $\mathfrak{q}(n)$ and formulate a precise conjecture for the other irreducible characters in category $\mathcal O$. The guiding principle is that the representation theory of $\mathfrak q(n)$ should be described by Lusztig's canonical basis for "tensor space" over the quantum group of type $\mathfrak b_\infty$.
A new proof of the Mullineux conjecture, J. Alg. Combinatorics 18 (2003), 13-39, pdf (with J. Kujawa).
We present a new proof of the Mullineux conjecture, which describes the effect of tensoring an irreducible modular representation of the symmetric group with the sign representation. Our approach exploits the "super" Schur-Weyl duality connecting representations of the symmetric group to that of the general linear supergroup $GL(n|n)$. We also give for the first time a classification of the irreducible polynomial representations of $GL(m|n)$ in positive characteristic.
Representation theory of symmetric groups and their double covers, in: Groups, combinatorics and geometry (Durham, 2001), pp. 31-53, World Scientific, 2003, pdf (with A. Kleshchev).
In this survey article, we give an overview of the new Lie theoretic approach to the $p$-modular representation theory of the symmetric groups and their double covers that has emerged in the last few years.
Kazhdan-Lusztig polynomials and character formulae for the Lie superalgebra $\mathbf{\mathfrak{gl}(m|n)}$, J. Amer. Math. Soc. 16 (2003), 185-231, pdf.
We compute the characters of the finite dimensional irreducible representations of the Lie superalgebra $\mathfrak{gl}(m|n)$, and determine $\operatorname{Ext}$'s between simple modules in the category of finite dimensional representations. We formulate conjectures for the analogous results in category $\mathcal O$. The combinatorics parallels the combinatorics of certain canonical bases over the Lie algebra $\mathfrak{gl}(\infty)$.
Modular representations of the supergroup Q$\mathbf{(n)}$ I, Special issue celebrating the 80th birthday of Robert Steinberg, J. Algebra 260 (2003), 64-98, pdf (with A. Kleshchev).
We investigate modular representations of the supergroup $Q(n)$ in positive characteristic, motivated by connections to the modular representation theory of the spin symmetric groups. In particular, we classify the irreducible representations and prove a version of the Steinberg tensor product theorem.
Cartan determinants and Shapovalov forms, Math. Ann. 324 (2002), 431-449, pdf (with A. Kleshchev).
We compute the determinant of the Gram matrix of the Shapovalov form on weight spaces of the basic representation of an affine Kac-Moody algebra of ADE type (possibly twisted). As a consequence, we obtain explicit formulae for the determinants of the Cartan matrices of $p$-blocks of the symmetric group and its double cover, and of the associated Hecke algebras at roots of unity.
Projective representations of symmetric groups via Sergeev duality, Math. Z. 239 (2002), no. 1, 27-68, pdf (with A. Kleshchev).
We exploit the "super" Schur-Weyl duality between the spin symmetric groups and the supergroup $Q(n)$ to establish for the first time a classification of the irreducible modular representations of the spin symmetric groups.
Unipotent Brauer character values of GL$\mathbf{{_n}(\mathbb{F}_q)}$ and the forgotten basis of the Hall algebra, J. Algebraic Combin. 13 (2001), no. 2, 137-149, pdf.
We give a formula for the values of irreducible unipotent $p$-modular Brauer characters of $GL_n(\mathbb{F}_q)$ at unipotent elements, where $p$ is a prime not dividing $q$, in terms of (unknown!) weight multiplicities of quantum $GL_n$ and certain generic polynomials $S_{\lambda,\mu}(q)$. These polynomials arise as entries of the transition matrix between the renormalized Hall-Littlewood symmetric functions and the forgotten symmetric functions. We also provide an alternative combinatorial algorithm working in the Hall algebra for computing $S_{\lambda,\mu}(q)$.
Hecke-Clifford superalgebras, crystals of type $\mathbf{A_{2l}^{(2)}}$ and modular branching rules for $\mathbf{\widehat{S}_n}$, Represent. Theory. 5 (2001), 317--403, pdf (with A. Kleshchev); corrigenda pdf.
Note this version contains some additional tables in the appendix that were not in the published version!
Quantum linear groups and representations of GL$\mathbf{{_n}(\mathbb{F}_q)}$, Mem. Amer. Math. Soc. 149 (2001), no. 706, pdf (with R. Dipper and A. Kleschev).
We give a self-contained account of the results originating in the work of James and the second author in the 1980s relating the representation theory of $GL_n(\mathbb{F}_q)$ over fields of characteristic coprime to $p$ to the representation theory of "quantum $GL_n$" at roots of unity.
The new treatment allows us to extend the theory in several directions. First, we prove a precise functorial connection between the operations of tensor product in quantum $GL_n$ and Harish-Chandra induction in finite $GL_n$. This allows us to obtain a version of the recent Morita theorem of Cline, Parshall and Scott valid in addition for $p$-singular classes.
From that we obtain simplified treatments of various basic known facts, such as the computation of decomposition numbers and blocks of $GL_n(\mathbb{F}_q)$ from knowledge of the same for the quantum group, and the non-defining analogue of Steinberg's tensor product theorem. We also easily obtain a new double centralizer property between $GL_n(\mathbb{F}_q)$ and quantum $GL_n$ generalizing a result of Takeuchi.
Finally, we apply the theory to study the affine general linear group, following ideas of Zelevinsky in characteristic zero. We prove results that can be regarded as the modular analogues of Zelevinsky's and Thoma's branching rules. Using these, we obtain a new dimension formula for the irreducible cross-characteristic representations of $GL_n(\mathbb{F}_q)$, expressing their dimensions in terms of the characters of irreducible modules over the quantum group.
Representations of the symmetric group which are irreducible over subgroups, J. Reine Angew. Math. 530 (2001), 145-190, pdf (with A. Kleshchev).
Let $F$ be an algebraically closed field of characteristic $p$, and $\Sigma_n$ be the symmetric group on $n$ letters. In this paper we classify all pairs $(G,D)$, where $D$ is an irreducible $F\Sigma_n$-module of dimension greater than $1$ and $G$ is a proper subgroup of $\Sigma_n$, such that the restriction $D{\downarrow}_G$ is irreducible, provided $p>3$.
Tensor products and restrictions in type A, in: Modular representation theory of finite groups (Charlottesville, VA, 1998), 67-99, de Gruyter, Berlin, 2001, pdf (with A. Kleshchev).
The goal of this article is to give an exposition of some recent results on tensor products and restrictions for rational representations of the general linear group in positive characteristic. We also outline the relations with the LLT algorithm and the ideal structure of the group algebra of the finitary symmetric group.
Lower bounds for degrees of irreducible Brauer characters of finite general linear groups, J. Algebra 223 (2000), no. 2, 615-629, pdf (with A. Kleshchev).
Let $G$ denote the finite general linear group $\operatorname{GL}_n(\mathbb{F}_q)$ over the finite field with $q$ elements. Associated to each partition $\lambda$ of $n$, there is an irreducible unipotent complex character $\chi_\lambda$ of $G$. The degree of $\chi_\lambda$ is a polynomial in $q$ given by Green's hook formula; the polynomial is monic of degree $b(\lambda')$ where $\lambda'$ is the transpose of $\lambda$ and, for a partition $\mu = (m_1 \geq m_2 \geq \dots \geq m_h > 0)$ of $n$, $b(\mu)$ denotes $\frac{n(n+1)}{2} - \sum_{i=1}^h i m_i$. An easy consequence of Green's formula is that $ \chi_\lambda(1) \geq q^{b(\lambda')}. $ The purpose of this note is to prove similar lower bounds for the degrees of the irreducible $p$-modular Brauer characters of $G$ when $p$ is coprime to $q$.
Double coset density in classical algebraic groups, Trans. Amer. Math. Soc. 352 (2000), no. 3, 1405-1436, pdf.
We classify all pairs of reductive maximal connected subgroups of a classical algebraic group $G$ that have a dense double coset in $G$. Using this, we show that for an arbitrary pair $(H, K)$ of reductive subgroups of a reductive group $G$ satisfying a certain mild technical condition, there is a dense $H, K$-double coset in $G$ precisely when $G = HK$ is a factorization.
On translation functors for general linear and symmetric groups, Proc. London Math. Soc. (3) 80 (2000), no. 1, 75-106, pdf (with A. Kleshchev).
Let $\mathbb{F}$ be an algebraically closed field of characteristic $p$. A central problem in the representation theory of the general linear group $GL(n) = GL_n(\mathbb{F})$ is to understand the structure of the tensor space $ V^{\otimes r}, $ where $V$ is the natural $GL(n)$-module. To do this (inductively) we would like information about the structure of tensor products of the form $M \otimes V$, where $M$ is an irreducible (or Weyl or tilting) module. Given $\alpha \in \mathbb{Z} / p\mathbb{Z}$, we will define functors $Tr^\alpha$ and $Tr_\alpha$, which roughly speaking are given by tensoring with the natural $GL(n)$-module $V$ and its dual $V^*$ respectively, then projecting onto certain blocks determined by the residue $\alpha$. Our main results give some detailed structural information about the effect of these functors on irreducible $GL(n)$-modules. We also deduce analogous results for modular representations of the symmetric group, where $Tr^\alpha$ and $Tr_\alpha$ correspond to the $\alpha$-induction and $\alpha$-restriction functors.
Modular Littlewood-Richardson coefficients, Math. Z. 232 (1999), no. 2, 287-320, pdf (with A. Kleshchev).
We prove four different results relating what could be called "modular Littlewood-Richardson coefficients" for the general linear and symmetric groups.
Some remarks on branching rules and tensor products for algebraic groups, J. Algebra 217 (1999), no. 1, 335-351, pdf (with A. Kleshchev).
In this paper we derive some relations between the branching rules from $GL_n(\mathbb{F})$ to its Levi subgroups on one hand, and decompositions of tensor products over $GL_n(\mathbb{F})$ itself on the other. Some of our results are valid for arbitrary reductive groups.
Modular branching rules and the Mullineux map for Hecke algebras of type A, Proc. London Math. Soc. (3) 77 (1998), no. 3, 551-581, pdf.
We prove the quantum analogue of Kleshchev's modular branching rules, i.e. we replace the symmetric and general linear groups in Kleshchev's results by the corresponding Iwahori-Hecke algebra and the quantised enveloping algebra $U_q(\mathfrak{gl}_n)$.
Double coset density in exceptional algebraic groups, J. London Math. Soc. (2) 58 (1998), no. 1, 63-83, pdf.
Let $G$ be a simple algebraic group of exceptional type, defined over an algebraically closed field $K$ of characteristic $p \geq 0$. In this paper, we classify all pairs $(X, Y)$ of reductive subgroups of $G$ which have a dense $(X, Y)$-double coset in $G$. In fact, we show that there is a dense $(X, Y)$-double coset in $G$ precisely when $G = XY$ is a factorisation.
Dense orbits and double cosets, in: Algebraic groups and their representations (Cambridge, 1997), 259-274, NATO Adv. Sci. Inst. Ser. C Math. Phys. Sci., 517, Kluwer Acad. Publ., Dordrecht, 1998, pdf.
Let $G$ be a connected reductive algebraic group defined over an algebraically closed field $k$ of characteristic $p \geq 0$. We are mainly interested here in the case of positive characteristic. We will describe some results on the problem of finding subgroups $H$ and $P$ with a dense $H, P$-double coset in $G$.
Semisimple restrictions from GL$\mathbf{(n)}$ to GL$\mathbf{(n-1)}$, J. Reine Angew. Math. 500 (1998), 83-112, pdf (with A. Kleshchev and I. Suprunenko).
We obtain a criterion for the restriction of an irreducible rational $GL(n)$-module to the naturally embedded subgroup $GL(n-1)$ to be semisimple, over an arbitrary algebraically closed field. In that case, we describe the composition factors of the restriction explicitly. As an application, we classify the completely splittable representations of general linear groups and give an exact character formula for these modules.
Lowering operators for GL$\mathbf{(n)}$ and quantum GL$\mathbf{(n)}$, in: Group representations: cohomology, group actions and topology (Seattle, WA, 1996), 95-114, Proc. Sympos. Pure Math., 63, Amer. Math. Soc., Providence, RI, 1998, pdf.
We describe some developments in the representation theory of $GL(n)$ which depend on certain lowering operators recently discovered by Kleshchev. We give a simple new definition of these lowering operators and explain the relationship between these and operators which have previously appeared in the work of Carter-Lusztig and others. Our approach simplifies two important applications: the construction of orthogonal bases for Weyl modules over $\mathbb{C}$ and Kleshchev's modular branching rules for symmetric groups. We also describe previously unknown analogues of these two results in the quantum case.
Multiplicity-free subgroups of reductive algebraic groups, J. Algebra 188 (1997), no. 1, 310-330, pdf.
We introduce the notion of a multiplicity-free subgroup of a reductive algebraic group in arbitrary characteristic. This concept already exists in the work of Krämer for compact connected Lie groups. We give a classification of reductive multiplicity-free subgroups, and as a consequence obtain a simple proof of a theorem of Kleshchev.
Double coset density in reductive algebraic groups. J. Algebra 177 (1995), no. 3, 755-767.
Let $H$ be a closed reductive subgroup of a connected reductive algebraic group $G$. We prove by some case analysis that there is no dense $(H,H)$-double coset in $G$. (Note: a case-free proof is given in Proposition 1.6 of my subsequent article "Double coset density in exceptional algebraic groups.")
Department of Mathematics, University of Oregon, Eugene OR 97403