Symmetric functions, noncommutative symmetric functions, and quasisymmetric functions (Q1868196)

The algebra \(Symm\) of symmetric functions is a self-dual Hopf algebra that is central to many parts of mathematics. One reason for this is its rich combinatorial structure, and another is the many interesting algebraic structures it supports. These structures include Adams operations, Frobenius operations, both a second multiplication and a second comultiplication, and a representation-theoretic interpretation of the Hopf algebra structure. This survey article nicely summarizes these and other interesting algebraic structures possessed by \(Symm\). While that part alone makes for interesting reading, Hazewinkel's main purpose is to discuss some recent important generalizations of \(Symm\) and to what extent these interesting algebraic structures survive in these generalizations. The first generalization involves a dual pair of Hopf algebras: the algebra \(NSymm\) of noncommutative symmetric functions -- whose Abelianization is \(Symm\) [\textit{I. M. Gelfand, D. Krob, A. Lascoux, B. Leclerc, V. S. Retakh, J.-Y. Thibon}, Adv. Math. 112, No. 2, 218-348 (1995; Zbl 0831.05063)], and the algebra \(QSymm\) of quasisymmetric functions, which contains \(Symm\) as a subalgebra. Hazewinkel discusses to what extent the special algebraic structures of \(Symm\) survive in these generalizations, and he points out some open questions in this direction. He also discusses the self-dual Malvenuto-Poirier-Reutenauer Hopf algebra of permutations, which is a further generalization as it contains \(NSymm\) as a subalgebra and has a surjection onto \(QSymm\). In all, this is a worthwhile survey of certain algebraic aspects of some mathematical objects of growing importance.