Linking first occurrence polynomials over \(\mathbb{F}_2\) by Steenrod operations (Q5957534)

This paper considers the polynomial algebra \(P\) on \(n\) variables over the field of 2 elements \({\mathbb F}_{2}\). This algebra admits an action of the semigroup of \(n \times n\) matrices over \({\mathbb F}_{2}\), by linear substitution, and has the property that all irreducible representations of this semigroup occur as submodules of \(P\). And \(P\) also admits an action of the mod 2 Steenrod algebra. The authors demonstrate how the Steenrod algebra links the first occurrence of each representation as a submodule of \(P\) to its first occurrence as a composition factor of \(P\). In particular, for each irreducible representation, a Steenrod operation is `explicitly' given which maps the latter to the former. The only caveat is that the `explicit' description involves applying the conjugation to an admissible monomial, and the conjugation in the Steenrod algebra is a notoriously intractable operation.