The ring of \(\mathcal {T}\)-covariants (Q1653403)

The additive group $\mathcal{T}$ of a field $F$ of characteristic zero acts linearly on the space $F[x]$ of polynomials via translation of the variable. The subspace $F[x]_d$ of polynomials of degree at most $d$ is preserved by $\mathcal{T}$. By a \textit{$\mathcal{T}$-covariant} the authors mean a $\mathcal{T}$-equivariant polynomial map $\varphi$ from $F[x]_d$ into $F[x]$. The $\mathcal{T}$-covariant $\varphi$ can be represented by a polynomial $f$ in $d+2$ indeterminates such that $\varphi(\sum_{i=0}^da_ix^{d-i})=f(x,a_0,\dots,a_d)$, and so the $\mathcal{T}$-covariants constitute an $F$-subalgebra in the $(d+2)$-variable polynomial ring. This algebra and some related algebras are studied in the present paper. In particular, generators of the algebra of $\mathcal{T}$-covariants are presented. This is used to show that the \textit{cumulants} generate the subalgebra of semi-invariants (which is closely related to the classically studied algebra of semi-invariants of binary forms). There is a natural bigrading on the algebras of $\mathcal{T}$-covariants, and it is shown that the dimension of the bidegree $(n,m)$ homogeneous component of the algebra of $\mathcal{T}$-covariants of degree $d$ polynomials equals the dimension of the bidegree $(d,m)$ homogeneous component of the algebra of $\mathcal{T}$-covariants of degree $n$ polynomials (in analogy with Hermite reciprocity for invariants of binary forms). The symbolic method of classical invariant theory is adapted to the present situation. A Heine integral representation for the cumulants of a random variable is also obtained.