Quantum cohomology of the Springer resolution (Q531803)

Let \(G\) be a semi-simple simply connected algebraic group with Lie algebra \(\mathfrak{g}\), and \(\mathcal{B}\) be its (full) flag variety. Then \(T^*\mathcal{B}\) is a symplectic resolution of the nilpotent cone \(\mathcal{N}\subseteq\mathfrak{g}^*\), called the Springer resolution. Consider the action of \(\mathbb{G}:=G\times\mathbb{C}^*\) on \(T^*\mathcal{B}\), where \(\mathbb{C}^*\) acts by multiplication on the cotangent fibers. The authors study \(H^*_{\mathbb{G}}(T^*\mathcal{B})\), the \(\mathbb{G}\)-equivariant quantum cohomology ring of \(T^*\mathcal{B}\). The paper is a part of a broader project to demonstrate that mirror symmetry structures on certain symplectic resolutions generalize classical notions of geometric representation theory. Many auxilliary constructions are carried out in greater generality with an eye on this larger picture. The main result is a formula for the quantum multiplication by divisors, which for Springer resolutions generate the quantum cohomology ring. A limiting procedure recovers Kim's description of the quantum cohomology of the base \(\mathcal{B}\) in terms of quantum Toda lattices [\textit{B. Kim}, Ann. Math. (2) 149, No. 1, 129--148 (1999; Zbl 1054.14533)]. A generalization to Slodowy slices of \(\mathcal{N}\) is also given. Divisors of \(T^*\mathcal{B}\) are in one-to-one correspondence with weights \(\lambda\) of the Borel subgroup of \(G\), and the group algebra of the Weyl group acts on \(H^*_{\mathbb{G}}(T^*\mathcal{B})\) as described by \textit{G. Lusztig} [Publ. Math., Inst. Hautes Étud. Sci. 67, 145--202 (1988; Zbl 0699.22026)]. With this in mind, and denoting the classical multiplication by a divisor as \(x_\lambda\) the authors' formula for the quantum multiplication is \[ D_\lambda=x_\lambda+t\sum_{\alpha\in R_+}(\lambda,\alpha^\vee)\frac{q^{\alpha^\vee}}{1-q^{\alpha^\vee}}(s_\alpha-1). \,\eqno(1) \] The sum is over positive simple roots, \(\alpha^\vee\) are the coroots and \(s_\alpha\) are the corresponding Weyl reflections, parameter \(t\) can be identified with the equivariant parameter of the \(\mathbb{C}^*\) factor of \(\mathbb{G}\). If \(d_\lambda\) is the derivative in the direction of \(\lambda\) then \(\nabla_\lambda:=d_\lambda-D_\lambda\) defines a flat connection on a trivial bundle over the dual maximal torus with fiber \(H^*_{\mathbb{G}}(T^*\mathcal{B})\). This connection is shown to be the affine Knizhnik-Zamolodchikov connection. Its quantum \(D\)-module coincides with the quantum Calogero-Moser module of the Langlands dual to \(G\). As a consequence, the authors are able to describe \(H^*_{\mathbb{G}}(T^*\mathcal{B})\) in terms of the classical Calogero-Moser integrable system, identifying in particular the shift operators of \textit{E. M. Opdam} [Invent. Math. 98, No. 1, 1--18 (1989; Zbl 0696.33006)]. The limit \(t\to\infty\), appropriately interpreted, gives Kim's description of \(H^*_{\mathbb{G}}(\mathcal{B})\) in terms of quantum Toda lattices. This description requires the use of another action \(\overline{s}_\alpha\) by the Weyl reflections, which is nilpotent, and restricts the sum in (1) to a subset \(R'_+\) of simple positive roots \[ D_\lambda^{\mathcal{B}}=x_\lambda+\sum_{\alpha\in R_+}(\lambda,\alpha^\vee)\,q^{\alpha^\vee}\overline{s}_\alpha\,. \] If \(G\) is simply laced \(R'_+=R_+\). Finally, the authors generalize their results to so-called Slodowy slices \(\mathcal{S}_n\subseteq\mathcal{N}\) transversal to the \(G\)-orbit of \(n\) in \(\mathcal{N}\). The lift \(\widetilde{\mathcal{S}}_n\) to the total space of \(T^*\mathcal{B}\to\mathcal{N}\) is a symplectic resolution of \(\mathcal{S}_n\), for \(n=0\) we recover \(\mathcal{S}_n=\mathcal{N}\) and \(\widetilde{\mathcal{S}}_n=T^*\mathcal{B}\). The analog of \(H^*_{\mathbb{G}}(T^*\mathcal{B})\) is \(H^*_{Z_n\times\mathbb{C}^*}(T^*\mathcal{B})\), where \(Z_n\) is the centralizer of \(n\) in \(G\). The authors show that if the restriction \(H^2(T^*\mathcal{B},\mathbb{Z})\to H^2(\widetilde{\mathcal{S}}_n,\mathbb{Z})\) is onto, e.g., if \(G\) is simply laced, then quantum multiplication by divisors of \(\widetilde{\mathcal{S}}_n\) is still given by (1).