Criterion for smoothness of Schubert varieties in Sl(n)/B (Q750560)

The authors give a criterion for a Schubert variety \(X_ w\) in the flag variety SL(n)/B to be smooth. The Schubert varieties \(X_ w\) in SL(n)/B are indexed by the elements \(w\in W\) of the Weyl group of SL(n). Each \(w\in W\) can be represented by a permutation on n symbols, \(w=(a_ 1,...,a_ n)\). The authors prove: \(X_ w\) is singular iff there exist \(1\leq i<j<k<\ell \leq n\) such that either \(a_ k<a_{\ell}<a_ i<a_ j\) or \(a_{\ell}<a_ j<a_ k<a_ i\). This theorem is based on the authors' previous work describing a natural basis for \(H^ 0(X,L)\) where L is an ample line bundle on SL(n)/B (``standard monomial theory'') [see, e.g., \textit{V. Lakshmibai}, \textit{C. Musili} and \textit{C. S. Seshadri}, Proc. Indian Acad. Sci., Sect. A, Part III 88, No.4, 279-362 (1979; Zbl 0447.14013)].