Ehrhart \(f^*\)-coefficients of polytopal complexes are non-negative integers (Q1953321)

Summary: The Ehrhart polynomial \(L_P\) of an integral polytope \(P\) counts the number of integer points in integral dilates of \(P\). Ehrhart polynomials of polytopes are often described in terms of their Ehrhart \(h^*\)-vector (aka Ehrhart \(\delta\)-vector), which is the vector of coefficients of \(L_P\) with respect to a certain binomial basis and which coincides with the \(h\)-vector of a regular unimodular triangulation of \(P\) (if one exists). One important result by Stanley about \(h^*\)-vectors of polytopes is that their entries are always non-negative. However, recent combinatorial applications of Ehrhart theory give rise to polytopal complexes with \(h^*\)-vectors that have negative entries. In this article we introduce the Ehrhart \(f^*\)-vector of polytopes or, more generally, of polytopal complexes \(K\). These are again coefficient vectors of \(L_K\) with respect to a certain binomial basis of the space of polynomials and they have the property that the \(f^*\)-vector of a unimodular simplicial complex coincides with its \(f\)-vector. The main result of this article is a counting interpretation for the \(f^*\)-coefficients which implies that \(f^*\)-coefficients of integral polytopal complexes are always non-negative integers. This holds even if the polytopal complex does not have a unimodular triangulation and if its \(h^*\)-vector does have negative entries. Our main technical tool is a new partition of the set of lattice points in a simplicial cone into discrete cones. Further results include a complete characterization of Ehrhart polynomials of integral partial polytopal complexes and a non-negativity theorem for the \(f^*\)-vectors of rational polytopal complexes.