Coincidences between intervals in two partial orders on complex reflection groups (Q7008562)

This paper investigates two natural partial orders defined on finite complex reflection groups: one via reflection length and the other via fixed space codimension. In real reflection groups, the two coincide; in complex reflection groups, they generally differ. The authors characterize the elements in the infinite family \(G(m,p,n)\) for which the intervals below a given group element \(w\) in these two posets coincide.\N\NMore precisely, given a complex reflection group \(G\) and an element \(w \in G\), one defines two subadditive functions: the reflection length \(\ell_R(w)\) and the codimension of the fixed space of \(w\). Each induces a partial order defined by \(x \leq y\) if \(x \leq y\) if \(\ell(x) + \ell(x^{-1}y) = \ell(y)\). The intervals \([\mathrm{id}, w]_R\) and \([\mathrm{id}, w]_{\mathrm{cdf}}\) are then the sets of elements below \(w\) in these two orders.\N\NThe main result (Theorem 1.1) gives necessary and sufficient conditions for equality of the two intervals in \(G(m,p,n)\): namely, (1) the multiset of nonzero cycle weights of \(w\) can be partitioned into pairs summing to zero; and (2) every subset of cycle weights summing to \(0 \mod p\) decomposes into singleton weights divisible by \(p\) and such pairs.\N\NThe authors use detailed combinatorial models of elements in \(G(m,p,n)\) (based on cycles and weights), and build on earlier work by \textit{J. Shi} [J. Algebra 316, No. 1, 284--296 (2007; Zbl 1142.20023)] and others on reflection length. They show how these conditions ensure that the reflection length of each element \(u \leq w\) matches the codimension of its fixed space. The proof is constructive and employs a recursive argument via cycle partitions.\N\NIn the final section, the authors relate these results to the structure of Garside categories and dual presentations of complex braid groups, and explore the heritability of the equality property across subintervals. Connections to permutation statistics and subadditive functions are discussed.