Determinants associated to zeta matrices of posets (Q2575024)

Properties of the determinant of the matrix \({\mathfrak Z}_P = Z_P + Z^{t}_P\), where \(Z_P\) is the zeta matrix, are discussed. The zeta matrix \(Z_P\) is closely related to the zeta function \(\zeta\) of a finite poset \(P\) (partially ordered set satisfying reflexivity, antisymmetry and transitivity). A combinatorial interpretation of \(\det({\mathfrak Z}_P)\) is given in terms of the adjacency matrices of comparability graphs. When the poset \(P\) is a Boolean algebra the following theorem is proved: If \(n\geq 3\) is odd, then \(\det({\mathfrak Z}_n) = 0\). If \(n\) is even, then \(\det({\mathfrak Z}_n) = 2^{\alpha_n}\), where \(\alpha_2 = 2\), and \(\alpha_n = 4 \alpha_{n-2} - 2\) for \(n \geq 4\).