Translation Functors and the Shapovalov Determinant

Arun Ram
Department of Mathematics and Statistics
University of Melbourne
Parkville, VIC 3010 Australia
aram@unimelb.edu.au

Last updated: 10 February 2015

This is an excerpt from the PhD thesis Translation Functors and the Shapovalov Determinant by Emilie Wiesner, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2005.

Quantum Groups

We now consider quantum groups associated to semisimple Lie algebras 𝔤. The quantum group Uq(𝔤) is a deformation of the universal enveloping algebra U(𝔤) of 𝔤, and it possesses many properties that 𝔤 does. In particular, we can use the Shapovalov determinant to study translation functors for Uq(𝔤). The background information on quantum groups presented in this chapter can be found in [CPr1994].

Let q be an indeterminate. For integers m,n,d, we define the following elements of [q,q-1]:

[m]d=qdm-q-dmqd-q-d
[m]d!=[m]d[m-1]d[2]d[1]d for m0
[mn]d=[m]d![n]d![m-n]d! for mn>0.
Let 𝔤 be a finite-dimensional complex semisimple Lie algebra, and let A=(aij)1i,jn be the associated Cartan matrix. Choose di>0, 1ik minimal so that the matrix (diaij)1i,jn is symmetric. To simplify notation, we will write qi=qdi and [·]i=[·]di. There is some k>0 so that di=kαi,αi2. For βR+, define dβ=kβ,β2. Suppose β=wαi for wW and αi a simple root. Equation 1.2 implies dβ=di.

The quantum group Uq(𝔤) associated to 𝔤 is the (q)-algebra generated by the elements Ei, Fi, and Ki±1 (1ik) with relations KiKj=KjKi, KiKi-1=1=Ki-1Ki; (4.1) KiEj=qiaij EjKi,KiFj =qi-aijFj Ki; (4.2) EiFj-FjEi= δi,j Ki-Ki-1 qi-qi-1 ; (4.3) r=01-aij (-1)r [1-aijr]i Ei(1-aij)-r EjEir=0, (4.4) r=01-aij (-1)r [1-aijr]i Fi(1-aij)-r FjFir=0for ij. (4.5)

The quantum group Uq(𝔤) is a Hopf algebra with the following maps:

coproduct: Δ(Ki)=KiKi, Δ(Ei)=EiKi-1+1Ei, Δ(Fi)=Fi1+KiFi;
counit: ε(Ki)=1, ε(Ei)=0=ε(Fi);
antipode: S(Ki)=Ki-1, S(Ei)=-EiKi, S(Fi)=-Ki-1Fi.
(See ([CPr1994] 9.1.1) for a proof that these maps give a Hopf algebra structure.) We define the following (q)-subalgebras of Uq(𝔤):
Uq+(𝔤) is the subalgebra generated by {Ei|1ik}.
Uq0(𝔤) is the subalgebra generated by {Ki±1|1ik}.
Uq-(𝔤) is the subalgebra generated by {Fi|1ik}.

([CPr1994] 9.1.3). Uq(𝔤)Uq-(𝔤)Uq0(𝔤)Uq+(𝔤).

There is a natural pairing between Uq+(𝔤) and Uq-(𝔤). The following maps make use of this pairing. Define a -anti-automorphism τ:Uq(𝔤)Uq(𝔤) by τ(Ei)=Fi; τ(Fi)=Ei; τ(Ki)=Ki-1; τ(q)=q-1. Define a (q)-anti-automorphism ϕ:Uq(𝔤)Uq(𝔤) by ϕ(Ei)=Ki-1Fi; ϕ(Fi)=EiKi; ϕ(Ki)=Ki. Observe that ϕ commutes with the coproduct map: Δϕ= (ϕϕ)Δ. This property will be useful later when we consider tensor products of modules.

The Restricted Integral Form U𝒜res(𝔤)

Let 𝒜=[q,q-1]. The restricted integral form U𝒜res(𝔤) of Uq(𝔤) is the 𝒜-subalgebra of Uq(𝔤) generated by Ki±1; Ei(r)=Eir[r]i!; Fi(r)=Fir[r]i! for1ik,r>0. The algebra U𝒜res(𝔤) inherits many properties from Uq(𝔤), including the Hopf algebra structure and the triangular decomposition. The restricted integral form U𝒜res(𝔤) is a Hopf algebra with the following maps

coproduct: Δ(Ki) = KiKi Δ(Ei(r)) = j=0r qij(r-j) Ei(j)Ki-j Ei(r-j) Δ(Fi(r)) = j=0r qi-j(r-j) Fi(j) Kir-j Fi(r-j).
counit: ε(Ki)=1; ε(Ei(r))=0=ε(Fi(r));
antipode: S(Ki)=Ki-1; S(Ei(r))=(-1)𝔯 qr(r-1)Ei(r)Kir; S(Fi(r))=(-1)(r)q-r(r-1)Ki-rFi(r).

([Lus1990-4] 6.6). The algebra U𝒜res(𝔤) decomposes as U𝒜res(𝔤) U𝒜res(𝔤)+ U𝒜res(𝔤)0 U𝒜res(𝔤)- where

U𝒜res(𝔤)+=Uq+(𝔤)U𝒜res(𝔤) is generated by {Ei(r)|1ik,r>0};
(U𝒜res(𝔤))0=Uq0(𝔤)U𝒜res(𝔤) is generated by { Ki±1, [Ki;cr] |1ik,c,r>0 } , with [Ki;cr]= s=1r Kiqic+1-s-Ki-1qis-c-1 qis-qi-s ;
(U𝒜res(𝔤))-=Uq-(𝔤)U𝒜res(𝔤) is generated by {Fi(r)|1ik,r>0}.

A PBW Basis for U𝒜res(𝔤)

In the following construction (due to [Lus1990-4]), a braid-group action on U𝒜res(𝔤) is used to define the element of U𝒜res(𝔤)± corresponding to each positive root. These elements are then assembled into a PBW basis for U𝒜res(𝔤)±.

([Lus1990-4] 3.1). For each 1in, there is a unique (q)-automorphism Ti:U𝒜res(𝔤)U𝒜res(𝔤) defined by Ti(Kj) = KjKi-aij; Ti(Ej) = { -FiKi ifi=j r=0-aij (-1)r-aij qi-r Ei(-aij-r) EjEi(r) ifij ; Ti(Fj) = { -Ki-1Ei ifi=j r=0-aij (-1)r-aij qirFi(r) FjFi(-aij-r) ifij

Fix a reduced expression for the longest element of the Weyl group, w0=si1siN. This gives an ordering of the positive roots: βj=si1 sij-1αij, 1jN. Define FβjU𝒜res(𝔤)-Uq-(𝔤) to be Fβj=Ti1 Tij-1Fj. We similarly define Eβj. Finally, define Kβj=Ti1 Tij-1Kj= Ki1Kim where βj=αi1++αim.

([Lus1990-4], 6.7). The sets { Eβn(sn) Eβ1(s1) |si0 } and { Fβ1(s1) FβN(sN) |si0 } are bases for U𝒜res(𝔤)+ and U𝒜res(𝔤)-, respectively.

These sets are also bases for Uq+(𝔤) and Uq-(𝔤), respectively. Note that Ti commutes with the -antiautomorphism ϕ, and so we have ϕ(Eβ)=Fβ.

The Category 𝒪

We begin by defining weights and weight spaces. A weight of Uq(𝔤) is an element ΩHom(q)(Uq0(𝔤),(q)). Since the set {Ki±1|1ik} generates Uq0(𝔤) and Ω(Ki-1)=(Ω(Ki))-1, Ω is determined by its action on each of the Ki. Define Ωi=Ω(Ki) and identify Ω with the k-tuple (Ω1,,Ωk).

We view 𝔥* as sitting inside Hom(q)(Uq0(𝔤),(q)): for ω𝔥*, ω(Ki)=qω,αi. We will also be interested in certain "twistings" of the weights of 𝔤. Let σ=(σ1,,σk){(±1,,±1)} and ω𝔥*. Define ωσHom(q)(Uq0(𝔤),(q)) by ωσ(Ki)=σi qiω,αi =±qiω,αi.

The dominance ordering on 𝔥* induces a partial ordering on the weights of Uq(𝔤). For Ω,ΛHom(q)(Uq0(𝔤),(q)), ΩΛif there is some νQ+such that Λ(Ki)Ω(Ki) =qν,αi for1ik. In this case we write ΩΛ=ν. For ω,λ𝔥*, this is the standard dominance ordering.

For a Uq(𝔤) module M, the Ω-weight space of M is given by MΩ= { vM|Kiv= Ω(Ki)v for1ik } .

The Category 𝒪 consists of Uq(𝔤)-modules M such that

M is Uq(𝔤)0-diagonalizable: M=ΩHom(q)(Uq0(𝔤),(q)) MΩ;
there are Λ1,,ΛnHom(q)(Uq0(𝔤),(q)) such that MΩ0 only if ΩΛi for some 1in.
dimMΩ< for all ΩHom(q)(Uq0(𝔤),(q)).

A highest weight Uq(𝔤)-module of highest weight Ω is a Uq(𝔤)-module M with a vector v+M such that

v+MΩ;
M=Uq(𝔤)v+;
Eiv+=0 for all 1ik.
The vector v+ is a highest weight vector. For such a module M the defining relations of Uq(𝔤) imply M=ΛΩMΛ. Note that all highest weight modules are in Category 𝒪.

The Verma module of highest weight Ω, is the Uq(𝔤)-module Mq(Ω)=Uq (𝔤)/I, where I is the left ideal generated by Ei and Ki-Ω(Ki) (1ik). We can also define Mq(Ω) as the induced module Mq(Ω)= Uq(𝔤) Uq0(𝔤) (q)Ω, where (q)Ω is (q) as a vector space; and, as a Uq0(𝔤)-module, Uq0(𝔤) acts by Ω and Uq+(𝔤) acts by 0. Using the same arguments as in Lemma 2.1.3, we can show that Mq(Ω) has a maximal proper submodule, Jq(Ω). This implies that Mq(Ω) has a unique simple quotient Lq(Ω)= Mq(Ω)/ Jq(Ω).

All of these objects can be similarly defined for U𝒜res(𝔤). The set of weights for U𝒜res(𝔤) is Hom𝒜(U𝒜res(𝔤)0,𝒜). We denote the U𝒜res(𝔤)-Verma module of weight ΩHom𝒜(U𝒜res(𝔤)0,𝒜) by Mres(Ω). In other words, Mres(Ω)=U𝒜res(𝔤)/J, where J is the ideal generated by Ei(r),r>0; Ki-Ω(Ki); [Ki;cr]- s=1r Ω(Ki)qic+1-s-Ω(Ki-1)qis-c-1qis-qi-s.

From Theorem 4.2.2, we get the following.

Let Ω,ΛHom(q)(Uq0(𝔤),(q)) so that ΩΛ. Suppose ΩΛ=νQ+. Define Fβj(tj)=1[tj]!Fβjtj. Then, the set {Fβ1(t1)FβN(tN)v+|t1,,tN0,t1β1++tNβN=ν} is a basis for Mres(Ω)Λ and Mq(Ω)Λ.

Embeddings of Verma Modules

Recall that for a weight ω𝔥* of 𝔤 and σ=(σ1,,σk){(±1,,±1)}, we can define a Uq(𝔤)-weight ωσHom(q)(Uq0(𝔤),(q)) by ωσ(Ki)=σiqiω,αi.

Let λP, σ{(±1,,±1)}, and βR+. If sβλλ, then Mq((sβλ)σ)Mq(λσ).

The proof of this proposition follows the proof of the same result for the classical case given in [Dix1996].

Let λP and σ{(±1,,±1)}. If siλλ, Mq((siλ)σ)Mq(λσ). Moreover, if v+ generates Mq(λσ), then Fimv+ is a highest weight vector of weight (siλ)σ, where m=λ+ρ,αi0.

Proof.

Let λP+, σ{(±1,,±1)}, and wW with reduced expression w=sinsi1. Set λ0=λ, λ1=si1λ0, , λn=sinλn-1. Then, Mq(λnσ) Mq(λn-1σ) Mq(λ0σ).

Proof.

Let λ,μP, and σ{(±1,,±1)}. Suppose αi is a simple root such that Mq((siμ)σ)Mq(μσ)Mq(λσ). Then, Mq((siμ)σ)Mq((siλ)σ).

This gives the following picture, where arrows indicate inclusion: M(λσ) M((siλ)σ) M(μσ) M((siμ)σ) A

The picture indicates nothing about the relationship between Mq(λσ) and Mq((siλ)σ). The proof will consider both possibilities: Mq(λσ)Mq((siλ)σ) and Mq((siλ)σ).Mq(λσ).

Proof.

We now proceed with the proof of Proposition 4.4.1.

Proof of Proposition 4.4.1.

Central characters

We now construct the central characters of Uq(𝔤), following ([CPr1994] 9.2.B). Denote the center of Uq(𝔤) by Zq(𝔤)= { XUq(𝔤) |XY=YX for allYUq(𝔤) } . For zZq(𝔤), we can write z= Fβ1(t1) FβN(tN) K(s1,,sN)(t1,,tN) EβN(sN) Eβ1(s1) where K(s1,,sN)(t1,,tN)Uq0(𝔤) and s1,,sN,t1,,tN0 with s1β1++sNβN=t1β1++tNβN. Define hq:Zq(𝔤)Uq0(𝔤) by hq(z)= K(0)(0).

The map hq:Zq(𝔤)Uq0(𝔤) is an algebra homomorphism.

Proof.

The map hq is the quantum analogue of the Harish-Chandra homomorphism for semisimple Lie algebras (see [Dix1996], Section 7.4).

For ΛHom(q)(Uq0(𝔤),(q)), we define the central character χΛ:Zq(𝔤) by χΛ(z)= Λ(hq(z)). Let M be a highest weight Uq(𝔤)-module of highest weight Λ, and let v+ be a generator of M. Then, zv+=χΛ(z)v+. Since any vM is of the form v=xv+ for some xUq(𝔤), zv= zxv+= xzv+= xzv+= χΛ(z)xv+= χΛ(z)v.

Recall that the dot action of the Weyl group W on 𝔥* is wμ=w(μ+ρ)-ρ.

([CPr1994], 9.1.8). Let λ,μP, integral weights of 𝔤. Then χλ=χμ if and only if λ=wμ for some wW.

The Shapovalov Determinant

Recall τ:Uq(𝔤)Uq(𝔤) is the -anti-automorphism given by τ(Ei)=Fi; τ(Fi)=Ei; τ(Ki)=Ki-1; τ(q)=q-1. Using this map, we can define a Hermitian bilinear form ,:Mq(Ω)×Mq(Ω)(q) by

v+,v+=1, where v+ is the generator of Mq(Ω);
xu,w=u,τ(x)w for xUq and u,wMq(Ω).

Let Ω,ΛHom(q)(Uq0(𝔤),(q)) with ΩΛ. Suppose ΩΛ=νQ+. We define A(Ω)Λ= (Fβ1(t1)FβN(tN)v+,Fβ1(s1)FβN(sN)v+) t1β1++tNβN=ν =s1β1++sNβN and det(Mq(Ω)Λ)= detA(Ω)Λ. If Ω,ΛHom𝒜(Uq0(𝔤),𝒜), we define detMres(Ω)Λ=det(Mq(Ω)Λ).

Example. Suppose 𝔤=sl2(). Let k0 and Ω,ΛHom(q)(Uq0(sl2()),(q)) with ΩΛ=kα. Now consider det(Mq(Ω)Λ).

Equation 4.3 implies EFjv+=[j]q-j+1ΩK-qj-1Ω(K)-1q-q-1Fj-1v+. Therefore, detMq(Ω)Λ = Fk[k]!v+, Fk[k]!v+ = v+, Ek[k]! Fk[k]!v+ = 1([k]!)2 v+,j=1k [j] qj-1K-q-J+1K-1q-q-1 v+ = 1([k]!) j=1k q-j+1Ω(K)-qj-1Ω(K-1)q-q-1 Theorem 4.5.2 gives a formula for detMq(Ω)Λ for all 𝔤.

Recall that a weight Ω is equivalent to a k-tuple (Ω1,,Ωk)((q))k. We can view the determinant of Mq(Ω)Λ as living inside the Laurent polynomial ring S=(q)[Ωi±1|1ik]. To prove Theorem 4.5.2, we will bound the degree of the polynomial and then find its irreducible factors. The degree D:Sk is given by D(Ω1j1Ωkjk)=(j1,,jk). Also, define the following partial ordering on k: (j1,,jk) (l1,,lk) ifjili for all1ik.

Let ΩΛ with ΩΛ=νQ+. The term with maximum degree in detMq(Ω)Λ is βR+ r>0 ΩβP(ν-rβ). Similarly, the term with minimal degree is βR+ r>0 Ωβ-P(ν-rβ).

Proof.

([DKa1992]). Let ΩΛHom(q)(Uq0(𝔤),(q)) with ΩΛ=νQ+. Then, det(Mq(Ω)Λ)= βR+r>0 ( 1[r]dβ [qdβ(ρ,β-r)Ω(Kβ)-q-dβ(ρ,β-r)Ω(Kβ-1)qdβ-q-dβ] ) P(ν-rβ) .

If we restrict the choice of weights to ω,λ𝔥*Hom(q)(Uq0(𝔤),(q)), this formula becomes det(Mq(ω)λ)= βR+ r>0 ([ω+ρ,β-r]dβ[r]dβ) P(ω-λ-rβ) . (4.9)

A Partial Proof.

An Alternative Determinant Formula

Recall that DeConcini and Kac [DKa1992] use the -antiautomorphism τ:UqUq defined by τ(Ei)=Fi, τ(Fi)=Ei, τ(Ki)=Ki-1, τ(q)=q-1. Instead, we will use the (q)-antiautomorphism ϕ given by ϕ(Ei)=Ki-1Fi, ϕ(Fi)=EiKi, ϕ(Ki)=Ki. This defines a new contravariant form. In this section, we will write ,τ for the contravariant form induced by τ and ,ϕ for the contravariant form induced by ϕ. Define detϕ(Mq(ω)λ)=det (Fβ1(t1)FβN(tN)v+,Fβ1(s1)FβN(sN)v+ϕ) t1β1++tNβN=ν =s1β1++sNβN .

Let ω,λP with λω. Then, detϕ(Mq(ω)λ)= qP(ω-λ)kλω Cω-λ βR+ r>0 ([ω+ρ,β-r]dβ[r]dβ)P(ω-λ-rβ), where 0Cω-λ(q) and kλω is given as follows. Write ω-λ=αi1++αim. Then kλω= ω,αi1++αim- ( αi1++αim,αi1+ αi2++αim,αi2++ αim,αim ) .

Proof.

Translation Functors

For λP, define the block [λ] by [λ]={wλ|wW}.

Let ω,ω0P. Then Mq(ω) Lq(ω0)= λP+ (Mq(ω)Lq(ω0))[λ], where (Mq(ω)Lq(ω0))[λ] has composition factors Lq(μ) only for μ[λ].

Proof.

We again consider the translation Mq(ω) (Mq(ω)Lq(ω0))[λ]. When possible, we will state our results in the more general setting of the restricted integral form.

For μQ+, define n(μ)=dim(Lres(ω0)ω0-μ), and let {wμ,i|1in(μ)} be a basis for Lres(ω0)(ω0-μ).

For λQ+, the sets 1= { Fβ1(t1) Fβn(tn)v+ wμ,i| t1β1++tnβn =λ-μ,1in(μ) } and 2= { Fβ1(t1) Fβn(tn) (v+wμ,i) | t1β1++tnβn =λ-μ,1in(μ) } are bases for (Mres(ω)Lres(ω0))(ω+ω0-λ). Moreover, the transition matrix between the two bases has determinant one.

Proof.

Let ω,ω0P and λ,μQ+. Define detLres(ω0)ω0-μ= det(wμ,i,wμ,j)1i,jdimLres(ω0)ω0-μ and det((Mres(ω)Lres(ω0))ω+ω0-λ)= det(Fβ1(t1)FβN(tN)v+wμ,i,Fβ1(s1)FβN(sN)v+wμ,j), where μ,μλ, 1in(μ), 1jn(μ), and s1,,sN,t1,,tN0 are such that s1β1++sNβN=λ-μ and t1β1++tNβN=λ-μ.

Let ω,ω0P. For λQ+, det((Mres(ω)Lres(ω0))ω+ω0-λ) is given by μQ+μλ (det(Mres(ω)ω-(λ-μ)))n(μ) (det(Lres(ω0)ω0-μ))P(λ-μ). (4.10)

Proof.

Using the basis 2 for (Mres(ω)Lres(ω0))ω+ω0-λ, we see that Mres(ω)Lres(ω0) has a filtration by Verma modules Mres(ω+ω0-μ) where the Verma modules Mres(ω+ω0-μ) is generated by the image of v+wμ,i. The following form of the determinant formula better reflects the filtration of Mq(ω)Lq(ω0) by Verma modules.

Let ω,ω0P and λQ+. Then, det((Mres(ω)Lres(ω0))ω+ω0-λ) = μQ+μλ det(Mres(ω+ω0-μ)ω+ω0-λ)n(μ) aμω0(ω) det(Lres(ω0)ω0-μ)P(λ-μ) where aμω0(ω)= qRμβR+,r>0 ([ω+ρ,β-r][ω+ω0-μ+rβ+ρ,β-r])n(μ-rβ) and Rμ is defined inductively by Rμ=-ν<μ,n(ν)0 P(μ-ν) (ω0-ν,αi1++αimn(ν)+Rν), for μ-ν=αi1++αim.

Proof.

(Mq(ω)Lq(ω0))[λ](Mq(ω)Lq(ω0))[μ] for [μ][λ].

Proof.

Let ω,ω0P and let λQ+. Suppose ω is such that there is no μQ+ with 0<μλ and ω-μ[ω]. Then for each block γ, we can define projection maps Prλ[γ]: Mq(ω)Lq(ω0) ((Mq(ω)Lq(ω0))[γ])ω+ω0-λ given by Prλ[γ](v)=v- [ν][γ] 1m v,vi[ν] vi[ν] where {v1[ν],,vm[ν]} and {v1[ν],,vm[ν]} are dual bases for ((Mq(ω)Lq(ω0))[ν])ω+ω0-λ.

Proof.

Note: We can inductively construct a basis for each block of Mq(ω)Lq(ω0) using a basis for Mres(ω)Lres(ω0). Elements of this basis will be (q)-linear combinations of the basis for Mres(ω)Lres(ω0). Therefore, we have a basis for each block of Mq(ω)Lq(ω0) such that a nonzero multiple of this basis is contained in Mres(ω)Lres(ω0).

Fix ω,ω0P and λQ+. Suppose ω is such that there is no wW with ωwωω-λ or ω+ω0w(ω+ω0)ω+ω0-λ.

Then the submodule of Mq(ω)Lq(ω0) generated by μQ+,μλ (Mq(ω)Lq(ω0))ω+ω0-μ is isomorphic to μQ+,μλ Mq(ω+ω0-μ)dimLq(ω0)ω0-μ. For a suitable choice of generating highest weight vectors {vμ,i+|1idim(Lq(ω0))ω0-μ}, this sum is orthogonal with respect to the contravariant form on Mq(ω)Lq(ω0), and 1idim(L(ω0))ω0-μ vμ,i,vμ,i= aμω0(ω)det L(ω0)ω0-μ

Proof.

Notes and References

This is an excerpt from the PhD thesis Translation Functors and the Shapovalov Determinant by Emilie Wiesner, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2005.

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