Generic singularities of certain Schubert varieties (Q1298024)

Let \(G\) be a connected semisimple algebraic group, \(B\) a Borel subgroup, \(T\) a maximal torus in \(B\) with Weyl group \(W\), and \(Q\) a subgroup containing \(B\). For \(w\in W\), let \(X_{wQ}\) denote the Schubert variety \(\overline {BwQ}/Q\). For \(y\in W\) such that \(X_{yQ} \subseteq X_{wQ}\), one knows that \(ByQ/Q\) admits a \(T\)-stable transversal in \(X_{wQ}\), which we denote by \({\mathcal N}_{yQ,wQ}\). We prove that, under certain hypotheses, \({\mathcal N}_{yQ,wQ}\) is isomorphic to the orbit closure of a highest weight vector in a certain Weyl module. We also obtain a generalisation of this result under slightly weaker hypotheses. Further, we prove that our hypotheses are satisfied when \(Q\) is a maximal parabolic subgroup corresponding to a minuscule or cominuscule fundamental weight, and \(X_{yQ}\) is an irreducible component of the boundary of \(X_{wQ}\) (that is, the complement of the open orbit of the stabiliser in \(G\) of \(X_{wQ})\). As a consequence, we describe the singularity of \(X_{wQ}\) along \(ByQ/Q\) and obtain that the boundary of \(X_{wQ}\) equals its singular locus.