The actions of \(S_{n+1}\) and \(S_ n\) on the cohomology ring of a Coxeter arrangement of type \(A_{n-1}\) (Q1352970)

Let \({\mathcal A}_{n-1}\) denote the set of hyperplanes in \({\mathbb C}^n\) defined by \(x_i-x_j=0\) for \(1 \leq i<j\leq n,\) and let \(M({\mathcal A}_{n-1}) = {\mathbb C}^n - \bigcup {\mathcal A}_{n-1}\). Then \(M({\mathcal A}_{n-1})\) can be identified with the space of configurations of \(n\) distinct points in the plane. Thus \(M({\mathcal A}_{n-1})\) supports a natural action of the symmetric group \(S_n\), inducing an interesting \(S_n\)-representation on the cohomology ring \(H^*(M({\mathcal A}_{n-1}))\). In this paper the author constructs a ``hidden'' representation of \(S_{n+1}\) on \(H^*(M({\mathcal A}_{n-1}))\) which extends the natural one. A recursive formula relating the characters of these representations is established. If \(\chi_m(i,n)\) denotes the character of \(S_m\) on \(H^i(M({\mathcal A}_{n}))\), for \(m=n,n+1\), and \(p_{n+1}\) denotes the character of the defining representation of \(S_{n+1}\), this recursion reads \[ \chi_{n+1}(i,n)=\chi_{n+1}(i,n-1)+p_{n+1}\chi_{n+1}(i-1,n-1). \] As consequences of this formula, the author gives an easy proof of an induction formula of \textit{G. Lehrer} [J. Lond. Math. Soc., II. Ser. 36, 275-294 (1987; Zbl 0649.20041)] and derives an alternating sum formula \[ \sum_k(-1)^kp_{n+1}^k\chi_{n+1}(n-k,n)=0 \] for the natural representation of \(S_n\) on \(H^i(M({\mathcal A}_{n-1}))\). The construction of the \(S_{n+1}\) action is accomplished in two steps. The first is a modification of the familiar ``cone-decone'' construction from the theory of arrangements. If \(M(d{\mathcal A}_{n-1})\) denotes space of orbits of \(M({\mathcal A}_{n-1})\) under the diagonal \({\mathbb C}^*\) action, then there is a homeomorphism \(M({\mathcal A}_{n-1}) \to M(d{\mathcal A}_{n-1}) \times {\mathbb C}^*\). The author replaces this map by an \(S_n\)-equivariant covering map, with \(S_n\) acting trivially on \({\mathbb C}^*\), using the square of the discriminant for the second coordinate. This map is shown to induce an \(S_n\)-isomorphism on cohomology rings. Then the natural \(S_n\) action on \(M(d{\mathcal A}_{n-1})\) is extended to \(S_{n+1}\). This is accomplished by identifying \(M(d{\mathcal A}_{n-1})\) with the space of projective equivalence classes of configurations of \(n+1\) distinct points in the projective plane. It is then shown that the resulting \(S_{n+1}\) action on \(M(d{\mathcal A}_{n-1})\) is compatible with the \(S_n\) action. The recursive formula for characters is established using an equivariant splitting of \(H^i(M(d{\mathcal A}_{n}))\) as the sum of \(H^i(M(d{\mathcal A}_{n-1}))\) and the defining representation of \(S_n\), together with standard results on cohomology rings of arrangements.