A \(q\)-analog of Foulkes' conjecture (Q510359)

Summary: We propose a \(q\)-analog of classical plethystic conjectures due to \textit{H. O. Foulkes} [J. Lond. Math. Soc. 25, 205--209 (1950; Zbl 0037.14902)]. In our conjectures, a divided difference of plethysms of Hall-Littlewood polynomials \(H_n(x;q)\) replaces the analogous difference of plethysms of complete homogeneous symmetric functions \(h_n(x)\) in Foulkes' conjecture. At \(q=0\), we get back the original statement of Foulkes, and we show that our version holds at \(q=1\). We discuss further supporting evidence, as well as various generalizations, including a \((q,t)\)-version.