The 𝑞-Schur² algebra (Q4485740)

The authors generalize the \(q\)-Schur algebra of Dipper and James to the situation of a Coxeter system of type \(B\) by considering suitable endomorphism algebras arising from the parabolic and quasi-parabolic subalgebras of the Hecke algebra of type \(B\). The resulting algebras are the \(q\)-Schur\(^2\) algebras of the title; they are shown to be integrally free and stable under base change. One of the main results of the paper is a proof that the algebras are quasi-hereditary. The methods of proof are combinatorial, and involve calculations with semi-standard bitableaux and \(q\)-permutation modules. The results are characteristic-free and are applied to the problem of determining the decomposition numbers of various algebras of interest. The \((Q,q)\)-Schur algebras independently introduced by \textit{R. Dipper}, \textit{G. James} and \textit{A. Mathas} [Proc. Lond. Math. Soc., III. Ser. 77, No. 2, 327-361 (1998; Zbl 0916.20006)] turn out to be Morita equivalent to the \(q\)-Schur\(^2\) algebras, although the results here are stronger since they include a proof of quasi-heredity. A subsequent paper of \textit{R. Dipper}, \textit{G. James} and \textit{A. Mathas} on cyclotomic \(q\)-Schur algebras [Math. Z. 229, No. 3, 385-416 (1998; Zbl 0934.20014)] generalizes the results of this paper further by replacing the Hecke algebra with an arbitrary Ariki-Koike algebra.