A decomposition of Solomon's descent algebra (Q752844)

The descent set of a permutation \(\sigma =\sigma_ 1\sigma_ 2...\sigma_ n\) is the set of indices i for which \(\sigma_ i>\sigma_{i+1}\). A descent class, in the symmetric group \(S_ n\), is the collection of permutations having a given descent set. The descent classes generate a subalgebra \(\Sigma_ n\), called Solomon's descent algebra, of the group algebra \(Q(S_ n)\). The authors obtain a decomposition of the multiplicative structure of \(\Sigma_ n\) and they note and utilize the connection between the free Lie algebra and Solomon's algebra. They show that \(\Sigma_ n\) acts naturally on the Lie monomials and use it to construct a complete set of indecomposable representations of \(\Sigma_ n\). They also obtain a basis of the irreducible orthogonal idempotents \(E_{\lambda}\) for the quotient \(\Sigma_ n/{\tilde \Sigma}_ n\), where \({\tilde \Sigma}{}_ n\) is the radical of \(\Sigma_ n\). Bases of nilpotents and idempotents for the subspaces \(E_{\lambda}\Sigma_ nE_{\mu}\), for two arbitrary partitions \(\lambda\) and \(\mu\), are also constructed and the dimensions of these spaces are given in a combinatorial description.