Conformal blocks, Berenstein-Zelevinsky triangles, and group-based models (Q472638)

The article studies relations between two distinct fields: algebraic phylogenetics and conformal field theory. Let us briefly present the main objects referring for details to the article and to \textit{W. Buczyńska} and \textit{J. A. Wiśniewski} [J. Eur. Math. Soc. (JEMS) 9, No. 3, 609--635 (2007; Zbl 1147.14027)], \textit{B. Sturmfels} and \textit{Z. Xu} [J. Eur. Math. Soc. (JEMS) 12, No. 2, 429--459 (2010; Zbl 1202.14053)], \textit{C. Manon} [``The algebra of conformal blocks'', \url{arXiv:0910.0577} (2009)]. On the side of phylogenetics we have trivalent graphs \(\Gamma\) (originating from trivalent trees representing the history of evolution) and finite abelian groups \(G\) (originating from symmetries in probabilities of mutation - so called group-based models). To such data one naturally associates a semigroup algebra \(\mathbb{C}[M_\Gamma(G)]\). On the other side in the Wess-Zumino-Witten model of conformal field theory for a stable marked projective curve \(C\) one consturcts an algebra \(V_C(\mathrm{SL}_m)\). To the curve \(C\) of genus \(g\) with \(n\) marked points one associates a graph \(\Gamma\) with \(n\) leaves also of genus \(g\). Further there exists an algebra \(V_\Gamma(\mathrm{SL}_m)\) that is a flat degeneration of \(V_C(\mathrm{SL}_m)\). For \(m=2\) the algebra \(\mathbb{C}[M_\Gamma(\mathbb Z_2)]\) equals \(\mathbb{C}[V_\Gamma(\mathrm{SL}_2)]\). The authors, using a torus action, define a projection of \(V_\Gamma(\mathrm{SL}_m)\) onto yet another semigroup algebra \(\mathbb{C}[S_\Gamma(\mathrm{SL}_m)]\). The main result states the following. For arbitrary \(m\) the semigroup algebra \(\mathbb{C}[S_\Gamma(\mathrm{SL}_m)]\) contains \([M_\Gamma(\mathbb Z_m)]\). The case \(m=3\) is particularly studied and relations to Berenstein-Zelevinsky triangles are presented.