The periodicity conjecture for pairs of Dynkin diagrams (Q1942689)

This important paper proves a periodicity conjecture first formulated by \textit{Al. B. Zamolodchikov} [``On the thermodynamic Bethe ansatz equations for reflectionless ADE scattering theories.'' Phys. Lett. B 253, No. 3--4, 391--394 (1991), \url{doi:10.1016/0370-2693(91)91737-G}]. Let \(\Delta\), \(\Delta'\) be Dynkin diagrams. Then associated to the pair \((\Delta,\Delta')\) is the \(Y\)-system of algebraic equations: a system of recurrence relations in variables indexed by triples \(i,i',t\), where \(i\) is a vertex of \(\Delta\), \(i'\) is a vertex of \(\Delta'\) and \(t\) is an integer. The periodicity conjecture was originally stated for the pair \((\Delta,A_1)\), where \(\Delta\) is simply-laced. The proof uses the theory of cluster algebras [\textit{S. Fomin} and \textit{A. Zelevinsky}, J. Am. Math. Soc. 15, No. 2, 497--529 (2002; Zbl 1021.16017)], in particular the \(Y\)-seeds from \textit{S. Fomin} and \textit{A. Zelevinsky} [Compos. Math. 143, No. 1, 112--164 (2007; Zbl 1127.16023)]. The periodicity is rephrased in terms of an generalized cluster category, introduced in [\textit{C. Amiot}, Ann. Inst. Fourier 59, No. 6, 2525--2590 (2009; Zbl 1239.16011)], generalizing the cluster categories introduced in [\textit{A. B. Buan} et al., Adv. Math. 204, No. 2, 572--618 (2006; Zbl 1127.16011)] and in [\textit{P. Caldero} et al., Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 358, No. 3, 1347--1364 (2006; Zbl 1137.16020)] (for type \(A\)). The cluster category gives a categorification of the cluster algebra structure and the periodicity of a certain autoequivalence yields the conjecture.