Triple multiplicities for \(s\ell (r+1)\) and the spectrum of the exterior algebra of the adjoint representation (Q686007)

The triple multiplicity is the dimension of the space of invariant vectors in a tensor product of three irreducible finite dimensional representations of the Lie algebra \(sl (n)\). The authors give a geometric interpretation to these multiplicities. The triple multiplicity is equal to the number of integral points of the section of a certain ``universal'' polyhedral convex cone by a plane determined by three highest weights. This interpretation allows to study triple multiplicities using ideas from the theory of linear programming. By making use of this method, the authors prove the conjecture of B. Kostant which describes all irreducible constituents of the exterior algebra of the adjoint representation of the Lie algebra \(sl (n)\). The approach to triple multiplicities described in this paper exhibits many of their symmetries which can not be obtained from the expression given by the Littlewood-Richardson rule.