Alternating sign matrices (ASMs) are square matrices with entries 0, 1, or -1 whose rows and columns sum to 1 and whose nonzero entries alternate in sign. We put ASMs into a larger context by studying the order ideals of subposets of a certain poset, proving that they are in bijection with a variety of interesting combinatorial objects, including ASMs, totally symmetric self--complementary plane partitions (TSSCPPs), Catalan objects, tournaments, semistandard Young tableaux, and totally symmetric plane partitions. We use this perspective to prove an expansion of the tournament generating function as a sum over TSSCPPs which is analogous to a known formula involving ASMs.
For an integer $n\geq 1$, we display a poset $Φ_n$ whose maximal chains are in bijection with the $n\times n$ alternating sign matrices. The Hasse diagram $\widehat Φ_n$ is obtained from the $n$-cube by adding some edges. We show that the dihedral group $D_{2n}$ acts on $\widehat Φ_n$ as a group of automorphisms.
We investigate the poset structure on the alternating group that arises when the latter is generated by 3-cycles. We study intervals in this poset and give several enumerative results, as well as a complete description of the orbits of the Hurwitz action on maximal chains. Our motivating example is the well-studied absolute order arising when the symmetric group is generated by transpositions, i.e. 2-cycles, and we compare our results to this case along the way. In particular, noncrossing partitions arise naturally in both settings.
Alternating sign matrices (ASMs) are square matrices with entries 0, 1, or -1 whose rows and columns sum to 1 and whose nonzero entries alternate in sign. We present a unifying perspective on ASMs and other combinatorial objects by studying a certain tetrahedral poset and its subposets. We prove the order ideals of these subposets are in bijection with a variety of interesting combinatorial objects, including ASMs, totally symmetric self-complementary plane partitions (TSSCPPs), staircase shaped semistandard Young tableaux, Catalan objects, tournaments, and totally symmetric plane partitions. …
We show that the poset of alternating sign matrices, with Bruhat order, is isomorphic to the poset of certain submodules of the dominant Verma module for the special linear Lie algebra $\frak{sl}_n$. The latter poset consists of the intersections of Verma submodules and can also be defined in terms of a Kazhdan-Lusztig cell.
We study signed differential posets, a signed version of differential posets. These posets satisfy enumerative identities which are signed analogues of those satisfied by differential posets. Our main motivations are the sign-imbalance identities for partition shapes originally conjectured by Stanley, now proven by Lam, Reifergerste and Sjostrand. We show that these identities result from a signed differential poset structure on Young's lattice, and explain similar identities for Fibonacci shapes.
We generalize the notion of graded posets to what we call sign-graded (labeled) posets. We prove that the $W$-polynomial of a sign-graded poset is symmetric and unimodal. This extends a recent result of Reiner and Welker who proved it for graded posets by associating a simplicial polytopal sphere to each graded poset $P$. By proving that the $W$-polynomials of sign-graded posets has the right sign at -1, we are able to prove the Charney-Davis Conjecture for these spheres (whenever they are flag).
A Bruhat order for Latin squares and alternating sign hypermatrices
School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, University of Galway（高威大学数学与统计科学学院）；Department of Mathematics and Computer Studies, Mary Immaculate College（玛丽不可瑕疵学院数学与计算机研究系）
Let P be a poset with elements 1,2,...,n. We say that P is sign-balanced if exactly half the linear extensions of P (regarded as permutations of 1,2,...,n) are even permutations, i.e., have an even number of inversions. This concept first arose in the work of Frank Ruskey, who was interested in the efficient generation of all linear extensions of P. We survey a number of techniques for showing that posets are sign-balanced, and more generally, computing their "imbalance." There are close connections with domino tilings and, for certain posets, a "domino generalization" of Schur functions due t…
Alternating sign matrices and totally symmetric self-complementary plane partitions are equinumerous sets of objects for which no explicit bijection is known. In this paper, we identify a subset of totally symmetric self-complementary plane partitions corresponding to permutations by giving a statistic-preserving bijection to permutation matrices, which are a subset of alternating sign matrices. We use this bijection to define a new partial order on permutations, and prove this new poset contains both the Tamari lattice and the Catalan distributive lattice as subposets. We also study a new par…
In section 1 we consider a 3-tuple $S=(|S|,\preccurlyeq,E)$ where $|S|$ is a finite set, $\preccurlyeq$ a partial ordering on $|S|,$ and $E$ a set of unordered pairs of distinct members of $|S|,$ and study, as a function of $n\geq 0,$ the number of maps $φ:|S|\to\{1,\dots,n\}$ which are both isotone with respect to the ordering $\preccurlyeq,$ and have the property that $φ(x)\neq φ(y)$ whenever $\{x,y\}\in E.$ We prove a number-theoretic result about this function, and use it in section 7 to recover a ring-theoretic identity of G. P. Hochschild. In section 2 we generalize a result of R. Stanle…
The combined work of Bousquet-Mélou, Claesson, Dukes, Jelínek, Kitaev, Kubitzke and Parviainen has resulted in non-trivial bijections among ascent sequences, (2+2)-free posets, upper-triangular integer matrices, and pattern-avoiding permutations. To probe the finer behavior of these bijections, we study two types of restrictions on ascent sequences. These restrictions are motivated by our results that their images under the bijections are natural and combinatorially significant. In addition, for one restriction, we are able to determine the effect of poset duality on the corresponding ascent s…
We consider the poset of weighted partitions $Π_n^w$, introduced by Dotsenko and Khoroshkin in their study of a certain pair of dual operads. The maximal intervals of $Π_n^w$ provide a generalization of the lattice $Π_n$ of partitions, which we show possesses many of the well-known properties of $Π_n$. In particular, we prove these intervals are EL-shellable, we show that the Möbius invariant of each maximal interval is given up to sign by the number of rooted trees on on node set $\{1,2,\dots,n\}$ having a fixed number of descents, we find combinatorial bases for homology and cohomology, and …
Alternating sign triangles were introduced by Carroll and Speyer in relation to cube recurrence, by analogy to alternating sign matrices for octahedron recurrence. In this paper, we prove the connectivity of alternating sign triangles, which is analogous to the connectivity of alternating sign matrices.
Alternating sign triangles were introduced by Carroll and Speyer in relation to cube recurrence, by analogy to alternating sign matrices for octahedron recurrence. Permutation triangles are the alternating sign triangles whose entries are either 0 or 1, by analogy with permutation matrices. In this paper, we prove a simple characterization of permutation triangles, originally conjectured by Glick. We will also prove some properties of alternating sign triangles.
This article introduces and investigates a refinement of alternating sign trapezoids by means of Catalan objects and Motzkin paths. Alternating sign trapezoids are a generalisation of alternating sign triangles, which were recently introduced by Ayyer, Behrend and Fischer. We show that the number of alternating sign trapezoids associated with a Catalan object (resp. Motzkin path) is a polynomial function in the length of the shorter base of the trapezoid. We also study the rational roots of the polynomials and formulate several conjectures and derive some partial results. Lastly, we deduce a c…
We initiate a study of the zero-nonzero patterns of n by n alternating sign matrices. We characterize the row (column) sum vectors of these patterns and determine their minimum term rank. In the case of connected alternating sign matrices, we find the minimum number of nonzero entries and characterize the case of equality. We also study symmetric alternating sign matrices, in particular, those with only zeros on the main diagonal. These give rise to alternating signed graphs without loops, and we determine the maximum number of edges in such graphs. We also consider n by n alternating sign mat…
We extend the author's formula (2011) of weighted counting of inversions on permutations to the one on alternating sign matrices. The proof is based on the sequential construction of alternating sign matrices from the unit matrix recently shown by Brualdi-Schroeder and the author (both 2017) independently.
Alternating sign trapezoids have recently been introduced as a generalisation of alternating sign triangles. Fischer established a threefold refined enumeration of alternating sign trapezoids and provided three statistics on column strict shifted plane partitions with the same joint distribution. In this paper, we are able to add a new pair of statistics to these results. More precisely, we consider the number of $-1$s on alternating sign trapezoids and introduce a corresponding statistic on column strict shifted plane partitions that has the same distribution. More generally, we show that the…
In the early 1980s, Mills, Robbins and Rumsey conjectured, and in 1996 Zeilberger proved a simple product formula for the number of $n \times n$ alternating sign matrices with a 1 at the top of the $i$-th column. We give an alternative proof of this formula using our operator formula for the number of monotone triangles with prescribed bottom row. In addition, we provide the enumeration of certain 0-1-(-1) matrices generalizing alternating sign matrices.
The aim of this work is to enumerate alternating sign matrices (ASM) that are quasi-invariant under a quarter-turn. The enumeration formula (conjectured by Duchon) involves, as a product of three terms, the number of unrestricted ASM's and the number of half-turn symmetric ASM's.
Lascoux and Schützenberger introduced a notion of key associated to any Young tableau. More recently Lascoux defined the key of an alternating sign matrix by recursively removing all -1's in such matrices. But alternating sign matrices are in bijection with monotone triangles, which form a subclass of Young tableaux. We show that in this case these two notions of keys coincide. Moreover we obtain an elegant and direct way to compute the key of any Young tableau, and discuss consequences of our result.
We prove a determinantal identity concerning Schur functions for 2-staircase diagrams lambda=(ln+l',ln,l(n-1)+l',l(n-1),...,l+l',l,l',0). When l=1 and l'=0 these functions are related to the partition function of the 6-vertex model at the combinatorial point and hence to enumerations of Alternating Sign Matrices. A consequence of our result is an identity concerning the doubly-refined enumerations of Alternating Sign Matrices.
In alternating sign matrices the first and last nonzero entry in each row and column is specified to be +1. Such matrices always exist. We investigate a generalization by specifying independently the sign of the first and last nonzero entry in each row and column to be either a +1 or a -1. We determine necessary and sufficient conditions for such matrices to exist.
The aim of this work is to enumerate alternating sign matrices (ASM) that are quasi-invariant under a quarter-turn. The enumeration formula (conjectured by Duchon) involves, as a product of three terms, the number of unrestricted ASM's and the number of half-turn symmetric ASM's.
Robbins conjectured, and Zeilberger recently proved, that there are 1!4!7!...(3n-2)!/n!/(n+1)!/.../(2n-1)! alternating sign matrices of order n. We give a new proof of this result using an analysis of the six-vertex state model (also called square ice) based on the Yang-Baxter equation.
We define the alternating sign matrix polytope as the convex hull of nxn alternating sign matrices and prove its equivalent description in terms of inequalities. This is analogous to the well known result of Birkhoff and von Neumann that the convex hull of the permutation matrices equals the set of all nonnegative doubly stochastic matrices. We count the facets and vertices of the alternating sign matrix polytope and describe its projection to the permutohedron as well as give a complete characterization of its face lattice in terms of modified square ice configurations. Furthermore we prove t…
In recent papers we have studied refined enumerations of alternating sign matrices with respect to a fixed set of top and bottom rows. The present paper is a first step towards extending these considerations to alternating sign matrices where in addition a number of left and right columns are fixed. The main result is a simple linear relation between the number of $n \times n$ alternating sign matrices where the top row as well as the left and the right column is fixed and the number of $n \times n$ alternating sign matrices where the two top rows and the bottom row is fixed. This may be seen …
We compute 2-enumerations of certain halved alternating sign matrices. In one case the enumeration equals the number of perfect matchings of a halved Aztec diamond. In the other case the enumeration equals the number of perfect matchings of a halved fortress graph. Our results prove three conjectures by Jim Propp.
Alternating sign matrices with a U-turn boundary (UASMs) are a recent generalization of ordinary alternating sign matrices. Here we show that variations of these matrices are in bijective correspondence with certain symplectic shifted tableaux that were recently introduced in the context of a symplectic version of Tokuyama's deformation of Weyl's denominator formula. This bijection yields a formula for the weighted enumeration of UASMs. In this connection use is made of the link between UASMs and certain square ice configuration matrices.
We construct weight-preserving bijections between column strict shifted plane partitions with one row and alternating sign trapezoids with exactly one column in the left half that sums to $1$. Amongst other things, they relate the number of $-1$s in the alternating sign trapezoids to certain elements in the column strict shifted plane partitions that generalise the notion of special parts in descending plane partitions. The advantage of these bijections is that they include configurations with $-1$s, which is a feature that many of the bijections in the realm of alternating sign arrays lack.
An alternating sign matrix is a square matrix with entries 1, 0 and -1 such that the sum of the entries in each row and each column is equal to 1 and the nonzero entries alternate in sign along each row and each column. To some of the symmetry classes of alternating sign matrices and their variations, G. Kuperberg associate square ice models with appropriate boundary conditions, and give determinanat and Pfaffian formulae for the partition functions. In this paper, we utilize several determinant and Pfaffian identities to evaluate Kuperberg's determinants and Pfaffians, and express the round p…
We investigate alternating sign matrices that are not permutation matrices, but have finite order in a general linear group. We classify all such examples of the form $P+T$, where $P$ is a permutation matrix and $T$ has four non-zero entries, forming a square with entries $1$ and $-1$ in each row and column. We show that the multiplicative orders of these matrices do not always coincide with those of permutation matrices of the same size. We pose the problem of identifying finite subgroups of general linear groups that are generated by alternating sign matrices.
We define a bijection that transforms an alternating sign matrix A with one -1 into a pair (N,E) where N is a (so called) ``neutral'' alternating sign matrix (with one -1) and E is an integer. The bijection preserves the classical parameters of Mills, Robbins and Rumsey as well as three new parameters (including E). It translates vertical reflection of A into vertical reflection of N. A hidden symmetry allows the interchange of E with one of the remaining two new parameters. A second bijection transforms (N,E) into a configuration of lattice paths called ``mixed configuration''.
Halved monotone triangles are a generalisation of vertically symmetric alternating sign matrices (VSASMs). We provide a weighted enumeration of halved monotone triangles with respect to a parameter which generalises the number of $-1$s in a VSASM. Among other things, this enables us to establish a generating function for vertically symmetric alternating sign trapezoids. Our results are mainly presented in terms of constant term expressions. For the proofs, we exploit Fischer's method of operator formulae as a key tool.
I give a survey of different combinatorial forms of alternating-sign matrices, starting with the original form introduced by Mills, Robbins and Rumsey as well as corner-sum matrices, height-function matrices, three-colorings, monotone triangles, tetrahedral order ideals, square ice, gasket-and-basket tilings and full packings of loops.
We study the Schur polynomial expansion of a family of symmetric polynomials related to the refined enumeration of alternating sign matrices with respect to their inversion number, complementary inversion number and the position of the unique $1$ in the top row. We prove that the expansion can be expressed as a sum over totally symmetric plane partitions and we are also able to determine the coefficients. This establishes a new connection between alternating sign matrices and a class of plane partitions, thereby complementing the fact that alternating sign matrices are equinumerous with totall…
A graded partially ordered set is Eulerian if every interval has the same number of elements of even rank and of odd rank. Face lattices of convex polytopes are Eulerian. For Eulerian partially ordered sets, the flag vector can be encoded efficiently in the cd-index. The cd-index of a polytope has all positive entries. An important open problem is to give the broadest natural class of Eulerian posets having nonnegative cd-index. This paper completely determines which entries of the cd-index are nonnegative for all Eulerian posets. It also shows that there are no other lower or upper bounds on …
An alternating sign matrix, or ASM, is a $(0, \pm 1)$-matrix where the nonzero entries in each row and column alternate in sign. We generalize this notion to hypermatrices: an $n\times n\times n$ hypermatrix $A=[a_{ijk}]$ is an {\em alternating sign hypermatrix}, or ASHM, if each of its planes, obtained by fixing one of the three indices, is an ASM. Several results concerning ASHMs are shown, such as finding the maximum number of nonzeros of an $n\times n\times n$ ASHM, and properties related to Latin squares. Moreover, we investigate completion problems, in which one asks if a subhypermatrix …
We settle a question of Bressoud concerning the existence of an explicit bijection from a class of oriented square-ice graphs to a class of tournaments. We give an algorithm constructing such a bijection.
We introduce a new directed graph structure into the set of alternating sign matrices. This includes Bruhat graph (Bruhat order) of the symmetric groups as a subgraph (subposet). Drake-Gerrish-Skandera (2004, 2006) gave characterizations of Bruhat order in terms of total nonnegativity (TNN) and subtraction-free Laurent (SFL) expressions for permutation monomials. With our directed graph, we extend their idea in two ways: first, from permutations to alternating sign matrices; second, $q$-analogs (which we name $q$TNN and $q$SFL properties). %In our discussion, essential sets, introduced by Fult…
The number of $n \times n$ matrices whose entries are either -1, 0, or 1, whose row- and column- sums are all 1, and such that in every row and every column the non-zero entries alternate in sign, is proved to be $[1!4! >... (3n-2)!]/[n!(n+1)! ... (2n-1)!]$, as conjectured by Mills, Robbins, and Rumsey.
We define and study a new family of polytopes which are formed as convex hulls of partial alternating sign matrices. We determine the inequality descriptions, number of facets, and face lattices of these polytopes. We also study partial permutohedra that we show arise naturally as projections of these polytopes. We enumerate facets and also characterize the face lattices of partial permutohedra in terms of chains in the Boolean lattice. Finally, we have a result and a conjecture on the volume of partial permutohedra when one parameter is fixed to be two.
Fischer provided a new type of binomial determinant for the number of alternating sign matrices involving the third root of unity. In this paper we prove that her formula, when replacing the third root of unity by an indeterminate $q$, is actually the $(2+q+q^{-1})$-enumeration of alternating sign matrices. By evaluating a generalisation of this determinant we are able to reprove a conjecture of Mills, Robbins and Rumsey stating that the $Q$-enumeration is a product of two polynomials in $Q$. Further we provide a closed product formula for the generalised determinant in the 0-,1- 2- and 3-enum…
Mills, Robbins, and Rumsey conjectured, and Zeilberger proved, that the number of alternating sign matrices of order $n$ equals $A(n):={{1!4!7! ... (3n-2)!} \over {n!(n+1)! ... (2n-1)!}}$. Mills, Robbins, and Rumsey also made the stronger conjecture that the number of such matrices whose (unique) `1' of the first row is at the $r^{th}$ column, equals $A(n) {{n+r-2} \choose {n-1}}{{2n-1-r} \choose {n-1}}/ {{3n-2} \choose {n-1}}$. Standing on the shoulders of A.G. Izergin, V. E. Korepin, and G. Kuperberg, and using in addition orthogonal polynomials and $q$-calculus, this stronger conjecture is …
Half turn symmetric alternating sign matrices (HTSASMs) are special variations of the well-known alternating sign matrices which have a long and fascinating history. HTSASMs are interesting combinatorial objects in their own right and have been the focus of recent study. Here we explore counting weighted HTSASMs with respect to a number of statistics to derive an orthogonal group version of Tokuyama's factorisation formula, which involves a deformation and expansion of Weyl's denominator formula multiplied by a general linear group character. Deformations of Weyl's original denominator formula…
