The Reisner-Stanley system and equivariant cohomology for a class of wonderful varieties (Q713401)

The author calculates the equivariant cohomology for a wonderful symmetric variety \(X\) of minimal rank. Let \(G\) be an adjoint semi-simple group and let \(H\) the subgroup of invariants for an involution \(\sigma\) of \(G\). The rank of \(G/H\) is the maximal dimension of an orbit of \(G/H\) with respect to a maximal torus; one has always that \(\mathrm{rk}(G/H)\leq \mathrm{rk}(G)-\mathrm{rk}(H)\). \(G/H\) is of minimal rank if \(\mathrm{rk}(G/H)=\mathrm{rk}(G)-\mathrm{rk}(H)\); equivalently there is a single orbit of \(\sigma\)-stable maximal tori under conjugation by elements in \(H\). In this case \(G/H\) is a product of the following symmetric varieties: i) \(H\times H/H\); ii) \(\mathrm{PGL}(2n)/\mathrm{PSp}(2n)\); iii) \(\mathrm{PSO}(2n)/\mathrm{PSO}(2n-1)\); iv) \(E_6/F_4\). The wonderful completion \(X\) is \(G/H\) is, in particular, a smooth projective variety such that \(X \setminus(G/H)\) is a smooth normal crossing divisors and the closure of the \(G\)-orbits are the intersections of the irreducible components of \(X\setminus (G/H)\). The results of this work are inspired by the author's paper [J. Algebra 306, No. 2, 610--621 (2006); Zbl 1113.20039)], where the case of a group \(H\times H/H\) was proved (see also \textit{E. Bifet, C. De Concini} and \textit{C. Procesi} [Adv. Math. 82, No.1, 1--34 (1990; Zbl 0743.14018)]). See also \textit{C. De Concini} and \textit{C. Procesi} [Duke Math. J. 53, No. 3, 585--594 (1986; Zbl 0614.14013)]; \textit{P. Littelmann} and \textit{C. Procesi} [Progr. Math. 92, 219--262 (1990; Zbl 0741.14029)] and \textit{M. Brion} and \textit{R. Joshua} [Transform. Groups 13, No. 3-4, 471--493 (2008; Zbl 1172.14031)] for a different approach, using rational equivariant Chow ring. The hypotheses imply that all the points fixed by a maximal \(\sigma\)-stable torus are contained in the unique closed orbit \(G/P\) of \(X\). Using the localization theorem, this implies that \(H_G(X,Q)\) embeds into \(H_G(G/P,Q)\); then the author determines the image of this embedding. More generally, the author explains how to compute the equivariant cohomology of any regular embedding of \(G/H\). Then, using [\textit{C. De Concini} and \textit{C. Procesi}, Adv. Stud. Pure Math. 6, 481--513 (1985; Zbl 0596.14041)], the author determines the equivariant ring of conditions of \(G/H\). This ring has been introduced to study somme classical problems in enumerative geometry and has been used to give explicit formulae for intersection indices and Euler characteristic of hypersurfaces in \(G\).