Divided differences and the Weyl character formula in equivariant \(K\)-theory (Q2275711)

Let \(G\) be a compact connected Lie group acting on a topological space \(X\) and let \(K_G^*(X)\) be equivariant \(K\)-theory. By \textit{M~.F~ Atiyah} [Q. J. Math., Oxf. II. Ser. 19, 113--140 (1968; Zbl 0159.53501)], \(K_G^*(X)\) is a direct summand of \(K^*_T(X)\) where \(T\) is a maximal torus of \(G\). In general, \(K_G^*(X)\) is contained in but not equal to the Weyl invariants of \(K^*_T(X)\). The present paper shows that the action of the Weyl group, \(W\), on \(K^*_T(X)\) extends to an action of a Hecke ring \(\mathcal{D}\) generated by divided difference operators. \(\mathcal{D}\) contains a left ideal \(I(\mathcal{D})\) denoted the augmentation left ideal in analogy with the augmentation ideal of the group ring of \(W\). The main result is that \(K^*_G(X)\) is isomorphic to the subring of \(K^*_T(X)\) annihilated by \(I(\mathcal{D})\). For \(X\) a single point, this is the Weyl character formula. The paper also provides sufficient conditions on \(X\) for which \(K^*_G(X)\) is the Weyl invariants.