\(q\)-deformed character theory for infinite-dimensional symplectic and orthogonal groups (Q2190740)

Irreducible spherical characters of infinite-dimensional classical groups can be obtained as limits of normalized irreducible characters of the corresponding finite-dimensional groups. It is natural to ask whether a \(q\)-deformed version of such a character theory is possible. In an earlier work [Adv. Math. 229, No. 1, 201--266 (2012; Zbl 1235.22028)], the second author of the paper under review obtained a classification of \(q\)-characters for the inifinite-dimensional unitary group \(U(\infty)\), which turn out to be parametrized by nondecreasing sequences of integers. The present paper resolves the similar problem for inifinite-dimensional groups \(SO(\infty)\) and \(Sp(\infty)\). In the case of classical groups not of type A, the symmetry comes into play: \(q\)-deformed characters are parametrized by two-sided nonincreasing sequences of integers, and the limit functions are given by explicit double-contour integral formulas. It should be pointed out that two different \(q\)-deformed character theories are obtained for \(SO(\infty)\), from approximations by odd and even special orthogonal groups respectively. This phenomenon is closely tied to the fact that odd and even quantum speical orthogonal groups are quite different, e.g. they do not embed into each other.