On the cohomology of the Losev-Manin moduli space (Q2449869)

The authors consider the Losev-Manin space \(\overline{M}_{0,2|n}\) defined and studied in [\textit{A. Losev} and \textit{Y. Manin}, Mich. Math. J. 48, 443--472 (2000; Zbl 1078.14536)]. It parametrizes stable chains of projective lines with marked points \(x_0\neq x_{\infty}\) and \(y_1,\dots,y_n\), where \(x_0\) and \(x_{\infty}\) are distinct from the \(y_i\) which are allowed to collide. They determine the cohomology of \(\overline{M}_{0,2|n}\) by considering it as a representation of \(\mathbb S_2\times\mathbb S_n\), where \(\mathbb S_2\) acts on \(\overline{M}_{0,2|n}\) by switching \(x_0\) and \(x_{\infty}\) and \(\mathbb S_n\) acts by permuting the \(y_i\). In particular, they calculate the \(\mathbb S_2\times\mathbb S_n\)-equivariant Poincaré-Serre polynomial, which encodes this information, and express it in terms of Schur polynomials. To prove their result, the authors first (\(\mathbb S_2\times\mathbb S_n\)-equivariantly) stratify \(\overline{M}_{0,2|n}\) according to the number of nodes a curve has. They then (\(\mathbb S_n\)-equivariantly) refine this stratification according to the ordered partition of \(n\) corresponding to the distribution of the \(n\) points \(y_1,\dots,y_n\) among the irreducible components of the underlying curve. By working over these strata, which are all isomorphic to algebraic tori, and accounting for the \(\mathbb S_2\) action, the authors obtain their formula for the \(\mathbb S_2\times\mathbb S_n\)-equivariant Poincaré-Serre polynomial of \(\overline{M}_{0,2|n}\), \(E_{\mathbb S_2\times\mathbb S_n}(q)\). The authors also calculate the generating series of the \(E_{\mathbb S_2\times\mathbb S_n}(q)\) as \(n\) varies. In addition, they determine the \(\mathbb S_n\)-equivariant Poincaré-Serre polynomial of \(\overline{M}_{0,2|n}\), as well as their generating series. In an appendix, they show that these results are equivalent with the calculation of \(E_{\mathbb S_n}(q)\) by \textit{C. Procesi} [in: Words. Miscellany offered to M.-P. Schützenberger. Lothaire, M. (ed.), Mots. Mélanges offerts à M.--P. Schützenberger. Paris: Editions Hermès. Langue, Raisonnement, Calcul, 153--161 (1990; Zbl 1177.14090)].