We give a characteristic-free proof that general codimension-1 Schubert varieties meet transversally in a Grassmannian and in some related varieties. Thus the corresponding intersection numbers computed in the Chow (and quantum Chow) rings of these varieties are enumerative in all characteristics. We show that known transversality results do not apply to these enumerative problems, emphasizing the need for additional theoretical work on transversality. The method of proof also strengthens some results in real enumerative geometry.
We prove an analogue of the Mukhin-Tarasov-Varchenko theorem (formerly the Shapiro-Shapiro conjecture) for the maximal type B_n orthogonal Grassmannian OG(n,2n+1).
Traditional formulations of geometric problems from the Schubert calculus, either in Plucker coordinates or in local coordinates provided by Schubert cells, yield systems of polynomials that are typically far from complete intersections and (in local coordinates) typically of degree exceeding two. We present an alternative primal-dual formulation using parametrizations of Schubert cells in the dual Grassmannians in which intersections of Schubert varieties become complete intersections of bilinear equations. This formulation enables the numerical certification of problems in the Schubert calcu…
We show that general isotropic flags for odd-orthogonal and symplectic groups are general for Schubert calculus on the classical Grassmannian in that Schubert cells defined by such flags meet transversally. This strengthens a result of Belkale and Kumar in arXiv:0708.0398.
In 2009, de Fernex and Hacon proposed a generalization of the notion of the singularities to normal varieties that are not Q-Gorenstein. Based on their work, we generalize Kleiman's transversality theorem to subvarieties with log terminal or log canonical singularities. We also show that some classical varieties, such as generic determinantal varieties, W^r_d for general smooth curves, and certain Schubert varieties in G(k, n) are log terminal.
Many aspects of Schubert calculus are easily modeled on a computer. This enables large-scale experimentation to investigate subtle and ill-understood phenomena in the Schubert calculus. A well-known web of conjectures and results in the real Schubert calculus has been inspired by this continuing experimentation. A similarly rich story concerning intrinsic structure, or Galois groups, of Schubert problems is also beginning to emerge from experimentation. This showcases new possibilities for the use of computers in mathematical research.
We describe a new approach to the Schubert calculus on complete flag varieties using the volume polynomial associated with Gelfand-Zetlin polytopes. This approach allows us to compute the intersection products of Schubert cycles by intersecting faces of a polytope.
We previously obtained a congruence modulo four for the number of real solutions to many Schubert problems on a square Grassmannian given by osculating flags. Here, we consider Schubert problems given by more general isotropic flags, and prove this congruence modulo four for the largest class of Schubert problems that could be expected to exhibit this congruence.
A flexible unified framework for both classical and quantum Schubert calculus is proposed. It is based on a natural combinatorial approach relying on the Hasse-Schmidt extension of a certain family of pairwise commuting endomorphisms of an infinite free Z-module M to its exterior algebra.
We describe a large-scale computational experiment to study 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 nontrivial upper bounds, lower bounds, gaps, and a congruence modulo four. We present a family of Schubert problems, one in each Grassmannian, and prove their osculating instances have the observed lower bounds and gaps.
Quantum Schubert calculus for smooth Schubert divisors of $F\ell_n$
School of Mathematics, Sun Yat-sen University（中山大学数学学院）；Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Ottawa（渥太华大学数学与统计系）；Department of Mathematics, The University of Hong Kong（香港大学数学系）
A Newton-Okounkov polytope of a complete flag variety can be turned into a convex geometric model for Schubert calculus. Namely, we can represent Schubert cycles by linear combinations of faces of the polytope so that the intersection product of cycles corresponds to the set-theoretic intersection of faces (whenever the latter are transverse). We explain the general framework and survey particular realizations of this approach in types A, B and C.
We establish a congruence modulo four in the real Schubert calculus on the Grassmannian of m-planes in 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.
In 2006, Belkale and Kumar define a new product on the cohomology of flag varieties and use this new product to give an improved solution to the eigencone problem for complex reductive groups. In this paper, we give a generalization of the Belkale-Kumar product to the branching Schubert calculus setting. The study of Branching Schubert calculus attempts to understand the induced map on cohomology of an equivariant embedding of flag varieties. The main application of our work is a compact formulation of the solution to the branching eigencone problem.
A natural Hasse-Schmidt derivation on the exterior algebra of a free module realizes the (small quantum) cohomology ring of the grassmannian $G_k(\CC^n)$ as a ring of operators on the exterior algebra of a free module of rank $n$. Classical Pieri's formula can be interpreted as Leibniz's rule enjoyed by special Schubert cycles with respect to the wedge product.
The Shapiro conjecture in the real Schubert calculus fails to hold for flag manifolds, but in a very interesting way. In this extended abstract, we give a refinement of that conjecture for the flag manifold and present massive experimentation (over 12 GigaHertz-Years) that supports our refined conjecture. We also establish relationships between different cases of the conjecture and describe some new phenomena uncovered in this experimentation.
The Macaulay2 package NumericalSchubertCalculus provides methods for the numerical computation of Schubert problems on Grassmannians. It implements both the Pieri homotopy algorithm and the Littlewood-Richardson homotopy algorithm. Each algorithm has two independent implementations in this package. One is in the scripting language of Macaulay2 using the package NumericalAlgebraicGeometry, and the other is in the compiled code of PHCpack.
We formulate the Secant Conjecture, which is a generalization of the Shapiro Conjecture for Grassmannians. It asserts that an intersection of Schubert varieties in a Grassmannian is transverse with all points real, if the flags defining the Schubert varieties are secant along disjoint intervals of a rational normal curve. We present theoretical evidence for it as well as computational evidence obtained in over one terahertz-year of computing, and we discuss some phenomena we observed in our data.
In this survey paper we review recent advances in the calculus of Chern-Schwartz-MacPherson, motivic Chern, and elliptic classes of classical Schubert varieties. These three theories are one-parameter ($\hbar$) deformations of the notion of fundamental class in their respective extraordinary cohomology theories. Examining these three classes in conjunction is justified by their relation to Okounkov's stable envelope notion. We review formulas for the $\hbar$-deformed classes originating from Tarasov-Varchenko weight functions, as well as their orthogonality relations. As a consequence, explici…
The monotone secant conjecture posits a rich class of polynomial systems, all of whose solutions are real. These systems come from the Schubert calculus on flag manifolds, and the monotone secant conjecture is a compelling generalization of the Shapiro conjecture for Grassmannians (Theorem of Mukhin, Tarasov, and Varchenko). We present some theoretical evidence for this conjecture, as well as computational evidence obtained by 1.9 teraHertz-years of computing, and we discuss some of the phenomena we observed in our data.
We describe a general framework for large-scale computational experiments in mathematics using computer resources that are available in most mathematics departments. This framework was developed for an experiment that is helping to formulate and test conjectures in the real Schubert calculus. Largely using machines in instructional computer labs during off-hours and University breaks, it consumed in excess of 350 GigaHertz-years of computing in its first six months of operation, solving over 1.1 billion polynomial systems.
The ({\em classical}, {\em small quantum}, {\em equivariant}) cohomology ring of the grassmannian $G(k,n)$ is generated by certain derivations operating on an exterior algebra of a free module of rank $n$ ({\em Schubert Calculus on a Grassmann Algebra)}. Our main result gives, in a unified way, a presentation of all such cohomology rings in terms of generators and relations. It also provides, by results of Laksov and Thorup, a presentation of the universal splitting algebra of a monic polynomial of degree $n$ into the product of two monic polynomials, one of degree $k$.
The Mukhin-Tarasov-Varchenko Theorem (previously the Shapiro Conjecture) asserts that a Schubert problem has all solutions distinct and real if the Schubert varieties involved osculate a rational normal curve at real points. This sparked interest in real osculating Schubert calculus, and computations played a large role in developing the surrounding theory. We uncover generalizations of the Mukhin-Tarasov-Varchenko Theorem, proving them when possible. We also improve the state of the art of computationally solving Schubert problems, allowing us to more effectively study ill-understood phenomen…
The Shapiro conjecture in the real Schubert calculus, while likely true for Grassmannians, fails to hold for flag manifolds, but in a very interesting way. We give a refinement of the Shapiro conjecture for the flag manifold and present massive (15.76 gigahertz-years) computational experimentation in support of this refined conjecture. We also prove the conjecture in some special cases using discriminants and establish relationships between different cases of the conjecture.
We (1) characterize the Schubert varieties that arise as variations of Hodge structure (VHS); (2) show that the isotropy orbits of the infinitesimal Schubert VHS `span' the space of all infinitesimal VHS; and (3) show that the cohomology classes dual the Schubert VHS form a basis of the invariant characteristic cohomology associated to the infinitesimal period relation (a.k.a. Griffiths transversality).
Let $T$ be a torus acting on $\CC^n$ in such a way that, for all $1\leq k\leq n$, the induced action on the grassmannian $G(k,n)$ has only isolated fixed points. This paper proposes a natural, elementary, explicit description of the corresponding $T$-equivariant Schubert calculus. In a suitable natural basis of the $T$-equivariant cohomology, seen as a module over the $T$-equivariant cohomology of a point, it is formally the same as the ordinary cohomology of a grassmann bundle. The main result, useful for computational purposes, is that the $T$-equivariant cohomology of $G(k,n)$ can be realiz…
We show that the Schubert calculus of enumerative geometry is real, for special Schubert conditions. That is, for any such enumerative problem, there exist real conditions for which all the a priori complex solutions are real.
We describe the positivity of Thom polynomials of singularities of maps, Lagrangian Thom polynomials and Legendrian Thom polynomials. We show that these positivities come from Schubert calculus.
We prove two lemmata about Schubert calculus on generalized flag manifolds G/B, and in the case of the ordinary flag manifold GL_n/B we interpret them combinatorially in terms of descents, and geometrically in terms of missing subspaces. One of them gives a symmetry of Schubert calculus that we christen_descent-cycling_. Computer experiment shows that these lemmata suffice to determine all of GL_n Schubert calculus through n=5, and 99.97%+ at n=6. We use them to give a quick proof of Monk's rule. The lemmata also hold in equivariant (``double'') Schubert calculus for Kac-Moody groups G.
We prove a positivity result in (T-)equivariant quantum cohomology of the homogeneous space G/P, generalizing Graham's positivity in equivariant cohomology.
Let $G$ be a compact and $1$--connected Lie group with a maximal torus $T$. Based on Schubert calculus on the flag manifold $G/T$ [15] we construct the integral cohomology ring $H^{\ast}(G)$ uniformly for all $G$.
We prove Newton's binomial formulas for Schubert Calculus to determine numbers of base point free linear series on the projective line with prescribed ramification divisor supported at given distinct points.
We single out some problems of Schubert calculus of subspaces of codimension 2 that have the property that all their solutions are real provided that the data are real. Our arguments explore the connection between subspaces of codimension 2 and rational functions of one variable.
We describe a direct connection between the representation theory of the general linear group and classical Schubert calculus on the Grassmannian, which goes via the Chern-Weil theory of characteristic classes. We also explain why the analogous constructions do not give the same result for other Lie groups.
We investigate double transitivity of Galois groups in the classical Schubert calculus on Grassmannians. We show that all Schubert problems on Grassmannians of 2- and 3-planes have doubly transitive Galois groups, as do all Schubert problems involving only special Schubert conditions. We use these results to give a new proof that Schubert problems on Grassmannians of 2-planes have Galois groups that contain the alternating group. We also investigate the Galois group of every Schubert problem on Gr(4,8), finding that each Galois group either contains the alternating group or is an imprimitive p…
We give a nonrecursive, combinatorial characterization of multiplicity-free products of Grassmannian Schubert classes. This answers a question of W. Fulton and extends results of J. Stembridge.
The cohomology of the affine flag variety of a complex reductive group is a comodule over the cohomology of the affine Grassmannian. We give positive formulae for the coproduct of an affine Schubert class in terms of affine Stanley classes and finite Schubert classes, in (torus-equivariant) cohomology and K-theory. As an application, we deduce monomial positivity for the affine Schubert polynomials of the second author.
We apply the previous calculations of Chow-Witt rings of Grassmannians to develop an oriented analogue of the classical Schubert calculus. As a result, we get complete diagrammatic descriptions of the ring structure in Chow-Witt rings and twisted Witt groups. In the resulting arithmetic refinements of Schubert calculus, the multiplicity of a solution subspace is a quadratic form encoding additional orientation information. We also discuss a couple of applications, such as a Chow-Witt version of the signed count of balanced subspaces of Fehér and Matszangosz.
Consider k x n matrices with rank conditions placed on intervals of columns. The ranks that are actually achievable correspond naturally to upper triangular partial permutation matrices, and we call the corresponding subvarieties of Gr(k,n) the _interval positroid varieties_, as this class lies within the class of positroid varieties studied in [Knutson-Lam-Speyer]. It includes Schubert and opposite Schubert varieties, and their intersections, and is Grassmann dual to the projection varieties of [Billey-Coskun]. Vakil's "geometric Littlewood-Richardson rule" [Vakil] uses certain degenerations …
The Murnaghan-Nakayama rule expresses the product of a Schur function with a Newton power sum in the basis of Schur functions. We establish a version of the Murnaghan-Nakayama rule for Schubert polynomials and a version for the quantum cohomology ring of the Grassmannian. These rules compute all intersections of Schubert cycles with tautological classes coming from the Chern character.
This book is an exposition of the current state of research of affine Schubert calculus and $k$-Schur functions. This text is based on a series of lectures given at a workshop titled "Affine Schubert Calculus" that took place in July 2010 at the Fields Institute in Toronto, Ontario. The story of this research is told in three parts: 1. Primer on $k$-Schur Functions 2. Stanley symmetric functions and Peterson algebras 3. Affine Schubert calculus
In [MV], some correspondences were defined between critical points of master functions associated to sl_{N+1} and subspaces of C[x] with given ramification properties. In this paper we show that these correspondences are in fact scheme theoretic isomorphisms of appropriate schemes. This gives relations between multiplicities of critical point loci of the relevant master functions and multiplicities in Schubert calculus.
These are extended notes of a talk given at Maurice Auslander Distinguished Lectures and International Conference (Woods Hole, MA) in April 2013. Their aim is to give an introduction into Schubert calculus on Grassmannians and flag varieties. We discuss various aspects of Schubert calculus, such as applications to enumerative geometry, structure of the cohomology rings of Grassmannians and flag varieties, Schur and Schubert polynomials. We conclude with a survey of results of V.Kiritchenko, V.Timorin and the author on a new approach to Schubert calculus on full flag varieties via combinatorics…
We study the T-equivariant quantum cohomology of the Grassmannian. We prove the vanishing of a certain class of equivariant quantum Littlewood-Richardson coefficients, which implies an equivariant quantum Pieri rule. As in the equivariant case, this implies an algorithm to compute the equivariant quantum Littlewood-Richardson coefficients.
We continue the study of root-theoretic Young diagrams (RYDs) from [Searles-Yong '13]. We provide an RYD formula for the $GL_n$ Belkale-Kumar product, after [Knutson-Purbhoo '11], and we give a translation of the indexing set of [Buch-Kresch-Tamvakis '09] for Schubert varieties of non-maximal isotropic Grassmannians into RYDs. We then use this translation to prove that the RYD formulas of [Searles-Yong '13] for Schubert calculus of the classical (co)adjoint varieties agree with the Pieri rules of [Buch-Kresch-Tamvakis '09], which were needed in the proofs of the (co)adjoint formulas.
We describe the torus-equivariant cohomology ring of isotropic Grassmannians by using a localization map to the torus fixed points. We present two types of formulas for equivariant Schubert classes of these homogeneous spaces. The first formula involves combinatorial objects which we call ``excited Young diagrams'' and the second one is written in terms of factorial Schur $Q$- or $P$-functions. As an application, we give a Giambelli-type formula for the equivariant Schubert classes. We also give combinatorial and Pfaffian formulas for the multiplicity of a singular point in a Schubert variety.
We describe the inequalities on the possible eigenvalues of products of unitary matrices in terms of quantum Schubert calculus. Related problems are the existence of flat connections on the punctured two-sphere with prescribed holonomies, and the decomposition of fusion product of representations of SU(n), in the large level limit. In the second part of the paper we investigate how various aspects of the problem (symmetry, factorization) relate to properties of the Gromov-Witten invariants.
One approach to Schubert calculus is to realize Schubert classes as concrete combinatorial objects such as Schubert polynomials. Through an identification of the cohomology ring of the type A full flag variety with the polytope ring of the Gelfand-Tsetlin polytopes, Kiritchenko-Smirnov-Timorin realized each Schubert class as a sum of reduced (dual) Kogan faces. In this paper, we explicitly describe string parametrizations of opposite Demazure crystals, which give a natural generalization of reduced dual Kogan faces. We also relate reduced Kogan faces with Demazure crystals using the theory of …
Fulton and Woodward have recently identified the smallest degree of $q$ that appears in the expansion of the product of two Schubert classes in the (small) quantum cohomology ring of a Grassmannian. We present a combinatorial proof of this result, and provide an alternative characterization of this smallest degree in terms of the rim hook formula for the quantum product.
We describe recent work on positive descriptions of the structure constants of the cohomology of homogeneous spaces such as the Grassmannian, by degenerations and related methods. We give various extensions of these rules, some new and conjectural, to K-theory, equivariant cohomology, equivariant K-theory, and quantum cohomology.
We prove a conjecture of Dale Peterson on positivity in the multiplication in the T-equivariant cohomology of the flag variety. The theorem follows from a more general positivity result about the equivariant cohomology of varieties with actions of a solvable group with finitely many orbits. This more general result is an equivariant version of a theorem of Kumar and Nori.
We definitively establish that the theory of symmetric Macdonald polynomials aligns with quantum and affine Schubert calculus using a discovery that distinguished weak chains can be identified by chains in the strong (Bruhat) order poset on the type-$A$ affine Weyl group. We construct two one-parameter families of functions that respectively transition positively with Hall-Littlewood and Macdonald's $P$-functions, and specialize to the representatives for Schubert classes of homology and cohomology of the affine Grassmannian. Our approach leads us to conjecture that all elements in a defining …
We collect Atiyah-Bott Combinatorial Dreams (A.B.C.Ds) in Schubert calculus. One result relates equivariant structure coefficients for two isotropic flag manifolds, with consequences to the thesis of C. Monical. We contextualize using work of N. Bergeron-F. Sottile, S. Billey-M. Haiman, P. Pragacz, and T. Ikeda-L. Mihalcea-I. Naruse. The relation complements a theorem of A. Kresch-H. Tamvakis in quantum cohomology. Results of A. Buch-V. Ravikumar rule out a similar correspondence in K-theory.
In this tutorial, we provide an overview of many of the established combinatorial and algebraic tools of Schubert calculus, the modern area of enumerative geometry that encapsulates a wide variety of topics involving intersections of linear spaces. It is intended as a guide for readers with a combinatorial bent to understand and appreciate the geometric and topological aspects of Schubert calculus, and conversely for geometric-minded readers to gain familiarity with the relevant combinatorial tools in this area. We lead the reader through a tour of three variations on a theme: Grassmannians, f…
