Schubert calculus and singularity theory (Q2428157)

The connection between the cohomology of the homogeneous space \(G/H\) and the quantum field theory called the coset model \(G/H\) was given by Lerche. It was claimed that the cohomology ring \(H^*(G/H)\) is the Jacobi ring of some function which is called the potential. Later Gapner calculated the potential for the cohomology of any Grassmann manifold \(Gr(k,n)\) and discovered that the cohomology of Grassmann manifolds and the fusion rings of the unitary group are Jacobi rings of the same potential. Also Witten extended this claim for quantum cohomology of Grassmann manifolds. It gave a beautiful link between representation of loop groups, quantum Schubert calculus, integrable systems and singularity theory. In this work the authors show that the cohomology of a Hermitian symmetric homogeneous manifold is a Jacobi ring of a certain potential function and the generalized cohomology theories such as equivariant quantum cohomology and \(K\)-theory are Jacobi rings of a particular deformation of this potential. The structure of the Jacobi ring of such a potential is related to singularity theory.