The homology representations of the symmetric group on Cohen-Macaulay subposets of the partition lattice (Q1328490)

Let \(P\) be a finite ranked poset with \(\widehat 0\) and \(\widehat 1\) and with the rank function \(r= r(x)\). Let \(n= r(\widehat 1)\). Write \(\Delta(P)\) for the set of chains of \(P\backslash\{\widehat 0,\widehat 1\}\). Then \(\Delta(P)\) is a simplicial complex and the reduced simplicial homology of \(\Delta(P)\) is called the order homology of \(P\). Let \(\widetilde H_ i(P)\) be the \(i\)th homology group (over the complex field) of \(\Delta(P)\). For Cohen-Macaulay posets (C-M-posets) \(P\) these groups vanish in all dimensions except the ``top'' one, i.e., \(\widetilde H_ i(P)= 0\) whenever \(i\neq \dim\Delta(P)\). It is well known that all geometric lattices are C-M. Moreover, let \(S\subseteq\{1,2,\dots, n- 1\}\) and define the rank-selected subposet \(P_ S\) of \(P\) by \(P_ S= \{x\in P: x= \widehat 0, x= \widehat 1\) or \(r(x)\in S\}\). If \(P\) is C-M then \(P_ S\) is C-M also. Let \(G\) be a group acting on a C-M poset \(P\). Then \(G\) also acts on the ``top'' homology group of \(\Delta(P)\). The corresponding linear representations have been studied from various points of view in recent years. The action of symmetric group \(S_ n\) on the top homology of the partition lattice \(\Pi_ n\) of special interest, beginning with a character computation by \textit{P. Hanlon} [Pac. J. Math. 96, 319-341 (1981; Zbl 0474.06012)]. The present article was inspirted by the paper [\textit{R. P. Stanley}, J. Comb. Theory, Ser. A 32, 132-161 (1982; Zbl 0496.06001)]. Following questions raised by R. Stanley, the \(S_ n\)-representations on the homologies of certain C-M subposets of \(\Pi_ n\) are considered. The most general result is a recursive formula for the Frobenius characteristic of the homology representation on an arbitrary rank- selected subposet of \(\Pi_ n\). A similar idea is used to give formulas for the permutation representation on the rank-selected chains of \(\Pi_ n\). In particular, the orbit decomposition of the representation on the maximal chains of \(\Pi_ n\) is determine completely. The multiplicities of this decomposition turn out to enumerate a known refinement of the Euler numbers. Finally, a result of Stanley states that when all the rank-selected homologies of \(\Pi_ n\) are combined into one \(S_ n\)- module, the multiplicity of the trivial representation in the direct sum is the Euler number \(E_{n- 1}\). Here the multiplicity of the trivial representation in the homology module in some specific cases of rank- selection is described combinatorially.