Questions tagged [weyl-group]

The Weyl group of a root system is a subgroup generated by reflections through the hyperplanes orthogonal to the roots.

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Definitions of Hecke algebras

There is a definition of Iwahori-Hecke algebras for Coxeter groups in terms of generators and relations and there is a definition of Hecke algebras involving functions on locally compact groups. Are ...
user717's user avatar
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25 votes
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Are (semi)simple Lie groups some sort of "homotopy quotient groups" of their maximal tori?

Warning: non-specialist writing, some rubbish possible. The formula $h^*(BG)\cong h^*(BT)^W$ valid for complex oriented cohomology of the classifying space of a compact Lie group $G$ with maximal ...
მამუკა ჯიბლაძე's user avatar
18 votes
4 answers
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Longest element of Weyl groups

What is a reduced expression of the longest element of each type of Weyl group. For type $A_n$ it is just $s_n(s_ns_{n-1})...(s_n...s_1)$. I know for type $B_n,C_n,E_7,E_8$,$G_2$ and $D_n$ (n even) it ...
user12860's user avatar
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18 votes
6 answers
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Polynomial invariants of the exceptional Weyl groups

Let $\mathfrak{g}$ be a simple complex Lie algebra, and let $\mathfrak{h} \subset \mathfrak{g}$ be a fixed Cartan subalgebra. Let $W$ be the Weyl group associated to $\mathfrak{g}$. Let $S(\mathfrak{h}...
Christopher Drupieski's user avatar
17 votes
0 answers
903 views

Combinatorial identity involving the Coxeter numbers of root systems

The setup is: $R$ = irreducible (reduced) root system; $D$ = connected Dynkin diagram of $R$, with nodes numbered $1,2,...,r$; $\hat D$ = extended Dynkin diagram, nodes numbered $0,1,2,...,r$; $\...
Jeffrey Adams's user avatar
15 votes
5 answers
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About the intrinsic definition of the Weyl group of complex semisimple Lie algebras

It may be a easy question for experts. The definition of the Weyl group of a complex semisimple Lie algebra $\mathfrak{g}$ is well-known: We first $\textbf{choose}$ a Cartan subalgebra $\mathfrak{h}$...
Zhaoting Wei's user avatar
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15 votes
2 answers
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Is there a category of representations of a simple Lie algebra on which its Weyl group naturally acts?

For any simple Lie algebra $\mathfrak{g}$, is there a category $C$ of (possibly infinite-dimensional) representations of $\mathfrak{g}$ such the Weyl group $W$ of the corresponding root system acts in ...
John Baez's user avatar
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13 votes
1 answer
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Best approximation to the Weyl group as a subgroup of a reductive group.

Let G be a reductive algebraic group over a field k. Let S be a maximal split torus, Z its centraliser and N its normaliser. The Weyl group W is then defined to be the quotient N(k)/Z(k). Now we ...
Peter McNamara's user avatar
12 votes
0 answers
410 views

Reference for class of involutions containing longest element of finite Coxeter group?

Consider a finite (say irreducible) Coxeter group $W$ with a fixed generator set $S$ and rank $n$. This is the same thing as a finite real reflection group, generated by a set of “simple” ...
Jim Humphreys's user avatar
11 votes
0 answers
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Two-sided cells, special nilpotent orbits and special representations

Let $\mathfrak{g}$ be a complex semisimple Lie algebra. This question concerns three classical objects of representation theory: the two-sided Kazhdan-Lusztig cells of the Weyl group $W$ of $\mathfrak{...
Owen Colman's user avatar
10 votes
1 answer
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The double cover of $[W(E_7),W(E_7)] \cong Sp_6(\mathbb F_2)$ as a Galois group over $\mathbb Q$

I came across the following problem when I was trying to construct a certain type of homomorphisms from $\Gamma_{\mathbb Q}$ to $E^{sc}_7(\mathbb F_p)$ for any prime $p$: Is the double cover of $Sp_6(...
Shawn's user avatar
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10 votes
0 answers
351 views

Fake degrees: why coinvariant algebra and classical groups over finite fields?

Apologies if this is not research level math (in that it concerns well-known stuff), but I am having trouble tracking down sources that explain the following. References would be very appreciated. ...
Sam Hopkins's user avatar
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9 votes
4 answers
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Longest Element of an Affine Weyl Group

I know that the Weyl groups of affine Lie algebras don't have a longest element, but are there any good substitutes for w_0. In particular, is there any good substitute for a reduced decomposition of ...
Dinakar Muthiah's user avatar
9 votes
5 answers
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Inverting the Weyl Character Formula

The Weyl Character formula tells us how to write the character of a representation as a linear combination of integral weights. Since characters are invariant under the action of the Weyl group, $W$, ...
Dinakar Muthiah's user avatar
9 votes
2 answers
575 views

Number of reduced decompositions of the longest element of the Weyl group

Let $R$ be a reduced root system, $W$ the associated Weyl group, and $w_0 \in W$ the longest element of $W$. In general $w_0$ admits more than one reduced decomposition into a product of reflections, ...
Bas Winkelman's user avatar
9 votes
2 answers
644 views

Reference for embeddings of reflection groups (related to folding ADE Coxeter graphs)?

There are a couple of indirect methods, using Lie theory or Springer's general theory of regular elements in (real, complex) reflection groups, to construct natural embeddings among certain Weyl ...
Jim Humphreys's user avatar
9 votes
1 answer
294 views

Action of Weyl group on regions of Shi arrangement

This is an elaboration of a question which was aked on MO several years ago, which was unanswered but deleted by the question-asker. I hope it is okay to elaborate on a deleted question like this; for ...
Sam Hopkins's user avatar
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9 votes
0 answers
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Why the hyperoctahedral group is a ``reductive'' group?

Sorry for the misleading title, I actually mean the following: The $n$-th hyperoctahedral group, also known as the Weyl group of $\mathrm{Sp}_{2n}$ and of $\mathrm{SO}_{2n+1}$, is isomorphic to the ...
user148212's user avatar
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8 votes
2 answers
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One element commutation classes of reduced decompositions of the longest element of the Weyl group

For the symmetric group on $n$ objects $S_n$ the question of how to write its longest element $w_0$ as a reduced decomposition is an important combinatorical problem. As example, in this question the ...
Didier de Montblazon's user avatar
8 votes
0 answers
282 views

Name for an involution associated to a Coxeter element

Let $(W,S)$ be a finite Coxeter system, and $c \in W$ a Coxeter element. There is an involution $g\in W$ for which the involutive map $w \mapsto gw^{-1}g$ fixes $c$. Is there a standard name for this ...
Sam Hopkins's user avatar
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7 votes
3 answers
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Longest element of a Weyl group

Let $G$ an algebraic (reductive) group. $T$ a maximal torus, $B$ a Borel subgroup containing $T$, and $w_0$ the longest element of the Weyl group. I'm looking for a reference explaining why when you ...
th.ng's user avatar
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7 votes
1 answer
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$N_{G}(E)/C_{G}(E)$ is the Weyl group of $G$?

In the algebraic group $G = \operatorname{PGL}_4(\mathbb{C})$, let $E$ denote the subgroup of elements of order dividing 2 in the diagonal maximal torus; it is generated by the images of the three ...
user488802's user avatar
7 votes
2 answers
489 views

Is this characterization of (-1)-eigenspaces of the Weyl group of $E_6$ known?

I recently needed to know which circles $S$ in a maximal torus $T^6$ of the compact exceptional group $E_6$ yield one-dimensional subspaces $\mathfrak s$ of the Lie algebra $\mathfrak t^6$ that are ...
jdc's user avatar
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7 votes
1 answer
379 views

Unicity of the BGG complex

A friend and I are writing a paper that uses the BGG resolution of $L(\lambda)$ (where $\mathfrak g$ is a semisimple complex Lie algebra, $\lambda \in P^+$ is a dominant integral weight, and $L(\...
Nicolas Hemelsoet's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
457 views

Centralizer of longest element in a finite irreducible Weyl group: related to folding of ADE graphs?

Say $(W,S)$ is a finite Coxeter group, such as a Weyl group (which satisfies an additional crystallographic condition). Assume also that $W$ is irreducible. Then it has a longest element $w_o$ ...
Jim Humphreys's user avatar
7 votes
0 answers
182 views

Chevalley-Solomon formula and Weyl character formula

Let $\Phi\subset V$ be a root system of rank $r$ with Weyl group $W$, a choice of positive roots $\Phi_+$ and exponents $d_1, \ldots, d_r$ (i.e. the invariant algebra $(\operatorname{Sym}^\bullet V)^W$...
Antoine Labelle's user avatar
7 votes
0 answers
677 views

Is this construction related to the geometric Langlands program perhaps?

Given a complex Lie algebra $\mathfrak{g}$, a choice of Cartan subalgebra $\mathfrak{h}$ of $\mathfrak{g}$ and a dominant integral weight $\lambda$ of $\mathfrak{g}$, there is a natural construction ...
Malkoun's user avatar
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6 votes
3 answers
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Does -I belong to Weyl group?

Let $\Phi$ be an irreducible root system, with positive roots $\Phi^+$ relative to the base $\Delta$. If $W$ is the Weyl group, how can I determine if $-I$ belongs to $W$? Equivalently how can I see ...
1df5e76's user avatar
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6 votes
1 answer
200 views

Fixed space of maximal torus and Weyl group

Let $G$ be a compact connected Lie group and $T\subset G$ a maximal torus. Let $V$ be a representation of $G$ and $U=\{v\in V: tv=v\textrm{ for all }t\in T\}$. For any $g\in N(T)$ we have for all $t\...
Hans's user avatar
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6 votes
3 answers
956 views

Occurrences of a simple reflection in the longest element of a Weyl group?

While looking at a preprint I've just bumped into a question about the longest element $w_0$ of a Weyl group $W$ (say irreducible of a Lie type $A$ - $G$ and of rank $n>1$, to simplify). ...
Jim Humphreys's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
372 views

Kazhdan Lusztig map and Richardson orbits

Let $g$ be a simple Lie algebra with Weyl group $W$. Kazhdan and Lusztig defined a map $\Phi$: nilpotent orbits in $g$ $\rightarrow$ conjugacy classes in $W$. Let $\eta_p$ be a Richardson orbit ...
Dr. Evil's user avatar
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6 votes
0 answers
169 views

Weyl group and Galois action on cubic surfaces

Let $X$ be a smooth cubic surface over a field $k$. Denote by $\bar{k}$ the separable closure of $k$ and $\bar{X}:=X\times_{k}\bar{k}$. Then it is well know that there exists a homomorphism $$ \phi:\...
H U's user avatar
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0 answers
207 views

Two seemingly different definitions of a left cell

This is a question about two seemingly different notions of a left cell in a finite Weyl group and why they are the same. My question arose from reading a paper of W. McGovern titled "Left cells and ...
Aswin's user avatar
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6 votes
0 answers
276 views

Counting points on Hessenberg varieties over a finite field

Let $G$ be an connected reductive group over finite field $k$. I will assume that $\text{char}(k)$ is very good for $G$ (or even larger, if preferred). Let $B\subset G$ be a Borel subgroup defined ...
Cheng-Chiang Tsai's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
289 views

Instructions for using Coxeter 3.0 software

I am trying to use Coxeter 3.0 (http://www.liegroups.org/coxeter/coxeter3/english/coxeter3_e.html) to perform some computations for affine Weyl groups. I managed to install the program and get it ...
Seth's user avatar
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5 votes
1 answer
317 views

Invariants of cohomology of Springer sheaf

Let $G=Gl_n(\mathbb{C})$ and $\mathcal{N}$ be the nilpotent cone associated to it i.e nilpotent matrices inside $\mathfrak{g}=\mathfrak{gl}_n(\mathbb{C})$. We have the variety $\tilde{\mathcal{N}}$ ...
Tommaso Scognamiglio's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
556 views

When the longest element of Weyl group is rational?

Let $\mathbb{G}$ be a connected reductive group over $\mathbb{F}_q$, and let $G$ be the base change to an algebraic closure of the base field. Denote by $F$ the associated geometric Frobenius. Let $...
user148212's user avatar
  • 1,534
5 votes
2 answers
1k views

Length of Weyl group element mapping highest root to a simple root

Let $\Phi$ be an irreducible root system and $\Delta$ a simple system (base). Let $W$ be the Weyl group of $\Phi$. Let $\theta$ be the highest root and $h^\vee$ be the dual Coxeter number. Choose the ...
user's user avatar
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5 votes
2 answers
922 views

Root system automorphisms as inner automorphisms of extended Chevalley group

For each automorphism $\sigma$ of a root system $\Phi$ there is a unique automorphism of the Chevalley group $G(\Phi,R)$ such that $\sigma(x_\alpha(t))=x_{\sigma\alpha}(t')$. While conjugating by ...
Andrei Smolensky's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
922 views

Cells in affine Weyl groups

This may sound like a very general question, which pretty much reflects my ignorance on the subject. In the case of Weyl groups $W$, there is a notion of left/right/double cells, which is roughly ...
wky's user avatar
  • 178
5 votes
1 answer
189 views

What is the effect of tensoring with the sign representation on irreducible modules for a Type D Weyl group?

Given an integer $n \geq 4$, consider the Weyl groups $W(B_n)$ and $W(D_n)$ of types $B_n$ and $D_n$, respectively, and consider their representation theory over the field of complex numbers. The Weyl ...
Christopher Drupieski's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
183 views

Parabolic Kazhdan-Lusztig polynomial coincide?

Let $(W,S)$ be a Coxeter system. For any subset $I\subseteq S$, we can have the parabolic Kazhdan-Lusztig polynomial $P_{x,w}^I(q)$ with respect to $I$. Now consider $I\subseteq J\subseteq S$. Both $(...
James Cheung's user avatar
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5 votes
1 answer
393 views

Conjugacy of Regular Semisimple Subalgebras

Let $\mathfrak{g}$ be a complex semisimple Lie algebra. In his paper Semisimple Subalgebras of Semisimple Lie Algebras, Dynkin states that by a result of Weyl, 1) Two regular semisimple subalgebras ...
Gregoire Rad's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
291 views

Bruhat order and positive roots made negative

Let $(\Phi, V)$ be a reduced root system with base $\Delta$ and Weyl group $W$. Let $\ell$ be the length function of $W$ with respect to the set of simple reflections $S = \{s_{\alpha} : \alpha \in \...
D_S's user avatar
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5 votes
1 answer
1k views

Weyl group elements fixing a set of simple roots

Suppose I have a root system $\Phi$ (of a semisimple Lie algebra) with a set of simple roots $\Delta$. I am interested in describing Weyl group elements $w$ preserving a given subset $\Delta'$ in the ...
Roman Fedorov's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
284 views

Edge graph of the polytope of a Bruhat interval

Let $\Gamma$ be a Coxeter group on some generating set $S$, with reflection representation $V$. Then $\Gamma$ has two standard partial orders, the weak and strong Bruhat orders. Moreover, if $\lambda ...
Allen Knutson's user avatar
5 votes
0 answers
108 views

Is there a smooth $W_{G_2}$-equivariant map from the flag manifold of $U(4)$ to that of $G_2$?

The Weyl group $W$ of $G_2$, is a group of order $12$ which is generated by the subgroup of permutations of $e_1$, $e_2$ and $e_3$ and by by the element $\tau$ which maps $(e_1,e_2,e_3)$ to $(-e_1,-...
Malkoun's user avatar
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5 votes
0 answers
191 views

Kazhdan-Lusztig basis elements appearing in product with distinguished involution

My apologies if the below is too malformed to make sense. Let $(W,S)$ be the affine Weyl group of a reductive group $G$, and let $\{C_w\}$ be the Kazhdan-Lusztig $C$-basis (an answer in terms of the $...
Stefan  Dawydiak's user avatar
5 votes
0 answers
147 views

Weyl Group Action on Littelmann Paths

In his paper "Paths and Root Operators in Representation Theory," Littelmann gives an action of the Weyl group on the set of integral paths via $$ \tilde{s}_\alpha(\pi):= \begin{cases} f^n_\alpha(\pi)...
SamJeralds's user avatar
5 votes
0 answers
274 views

Can the Weyl orbits of fundamental weights tell us the Cartan matrix?

Let $\mathfrak{g}$ be a complex semisimple Lie algebra, $\Delta$ its root system contained in $\mathfrak{t}^{\vee}$ for a Cartan sub-algebra $\mathfrak{t}$ of $\mathfrak{g}$. Let $W$ be its Weyl group....
ChiHong Chow's user avatar